10 Doctor Who Actors Who Almost Played Different Characters

10. Annette Crosbie

Fans of the long running BBC sitcom One Foot in the Grave will have rejoiced back in 2010 when its leading actress, Annette Crosbie, was revealed as one of the special guest stars for Matt Smith's first full-length Doctor Who episode, The Eleventh Hour. The veteran actress appeared as Mrs Angelo in the Eleventh Doctor's long awaited entrée and there initially seemed to be much more to her character than met the eye when eagle-eyed fans spotted that she was wearing the same broach as River Song. Coincidence? Well, yes, as it turns out, but Anette was originally being lined up to make her Whoniversal debut back in 2006 when she was offered the coveted role of Queen Victoria in Series 2's Tooth and Claw. It would've made sense, too, since she previously portrayed the Widow of Windsor in the BBC's 1975 drama series Edward the Seventh. She'd certainly had her brush with royalty but, for whatever reason, the part went to Oscar nominated actress Pauline Collins instead. Anette was so not amused.