10 Doctor Who Guest Actors Who Also Played The Doctor
1. Mark Gatiss
Mark Gatiss is both one of the revived series' most prolific guest stars and writers. Since Doctor Who returned in 2005, he has written nine Who episodes, written for nine separate Doctors across various media, and has played four very different roles in the TV series. He's also been a Doctor in his own right.
For one night only, back in 1999, the same year that Hugh Grant played the Doctor, Gatiss wrote three comedy sketches for BBC2's Doctor Who Night. The second of these, entitled The Web of Caves is an affectionate spoof of '60s Doctor Who. Landing on an alien planet, the Doctor is constantly doorstopped by aliens who aren't particularly villainous. They're desperate for the Doctor to defeat them, but fall at each hurdle.
The aliens are played with relish by Little Britain's David Walliams and UK comedy stalwart Paul Putner, who wear daft blonde wigs and silvery costumes. Gatiss' sketch precedes The Simpsons Already Did It episode of South Park, as the aliens' evil plots are repeatedly shot down by the Doctor. "It's been attempted.... but I suppose I better stop you."
What a catchphrase! Print that on the 2023 Doctor Who calendar!