Doctor Who: 10 Best NuWho Performances From Guest Stars

NuWho has featured many memorable guest stars, but which performances stand above the rest?

By Emily Davison /

Doctor Who is a show which has taken us to nearly every corner of the galaxy, back in time to visit many celebrity historical figures, or forwards to exciting new alien worlds. With this diverse flexibility comes numerous opportunities to cast guest stars to appear in one-off stories, and these have led to some of the most memorable and best performances in the show.

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Some of the greatest talent Britain has to offer has graced NuWho over the many years it has enticed audiences – look no further than Pauline Collins as Queen Victoria in Tooth and Claw, or Simon Callow as Charles Dickens in The Unquiet Dead! We have also seen the early starts from stars like Carey Mulligan and Andrew Garfield, who have gone on to forge successful acting careers for themselves.

Whilst not everyone could quite make it onto this list, that fact is just a testament to how impressive Doctor Who’s growing cast has been since its revival back in 2005.

10. David Suchet As The Landlord - Knock Knock (Series 10, Episode 4)

Knock Knock sees companion Bill Potts and her university friends rent a creepy old house to live in for a cheap price, but it is soon revealed that there are disturbing implications behind the Landlord’s offer.

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This enigmatic figure, played with a sinister, captivating quality by David Suchet, has spent years luring various students to his affordable accommodation, so the insect Dryads inhabiting the house can consume them.

This episode features some horrifying fates for the poor, unassuming students and also has a terrific twist where it is revealed the Landlord has been committing these murders to save his terminally ill mother, Eliza.

Suchet delivers on two differing personalities as a seemingly evil schemer, to that of a frightened young child, who is fiercely protective of his mother. His performance is both disturbing and oddly touching by the time we reach the climax and the unusual childlike aspect of his character makes this performance a memorable one, earning Suchet a spot on this list.

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