Craig Parkinson insists he was never in the running for the lead role in 'Doctor Who' - but he'd rather play The Master.
Craig Parkinson wasn't offered the lead Doctor Who role
The 'Line of Duty' star - who played villain Matthew 'Dot' Cottan in the hit BBC police corruption drama - was rumoured to be in line to take over the TARDIS, with the role as the new Time Lord eventually going to Ncuti Gatwa.
As quoted by The Sun newspaper's TV Biz column, he said: "That whole Doctor Who speculation – they love it don’t they?
"They love getting a list together of who it’s going to be.
“No, it would never happen, and anyway I’d probably sooner be The Master if I’m honest.”
His comments come after it was revealed Neil Patrick Harris will play villain The Toymaker - who last appeared on the show in 1966 - in scenes set to air in 2023 as part of the show’s 60th anniversary.
A source recently claimed "a shop with the name Mr Emporium has been spotted on location in Bristol, complete with a sign which claims the proprietor is the 'Toymaker of the Year'".
Meanwhile, showrunner Russell T Davies, 59, recently said in a statement: “It’s my huge honour to open our studio doors for the mighty Neil Patrick Harris ... but who, why, what is he playing? You’ll just have to wait. But I promise you, the stuff we’re shooting now is off the scale. Doctor beware!”
And he called Harris' character "the greatest enemy the Doctor has ever faced".
Ncuti will step into the TARDIS as Jodie Whittaker's replacement when she leaves her role as the two-hearted time traveller at the end of the year.
He said: "It feels really amazing. It's a true honour. This role is an institution and it's so iconic.
"I feel very grateful to have had the baton handed over and I'm going to try to do my best."
Tagged in Neil Patrick Harris Russell T Davies Ncuti Gatwa