About me
Paul McGann’s entrance into dramatic acting came in 1986 with his portrayal of Percy Toplis in the BBC serial The Monocled Mutineer. Following his success in this role, he starred in the cult classic film Withnail and I alongside Richard E. Grant. Countless other film roles would follow. He starred in such films as Empire of the Sun, The Three Musketeers, and Alien 3. During the early to mid-90s, McGann also continued to feature in several TV shows and miniseries for the BBC.
In 1996, McGann made his debut in the Doctor Who universe as the Eighth Doctor in the Doctor Who TV movie. Originally intended as a “back door pilot” of sorts for a potential revival of the series, the TV ratings were too low in the United States to justify a relaunch of the popular sci-fi show.
Throughout the late 90s and early 2000s, McGann again starred in several film and television roles. Two notable portrayals were David Talbot in 2002’s Queen of the Damned and William Bush in the ITV/A&E joint production of Hornblower.
McGann has gone on to star in other television shows throughout the 2010s such as Jonathan Creek, Luther, and Holby City.
McGann has yet to give up his role as the Eighth Doctor. Not only does he continue to portray the Time Lord in countless audio adventures for Big Finish Productions, but he also reprised the role on screen in 2013’s Night of the Doctor. Fans got a never before seen glimpse at the regeneration of the Eighth Doctor into the War Doctor.
