10 Doctor Who Guest Stars Who Got Themselves Noticed

Just before her stratospheric rise to fame, Olivia Colman guested on Steven Moffat and Matt Smith’s very first episode, The Eleventh Hour.

Colman plays one of the coma victims that Prisoner Zero steals the likeness of in its attempt to evade the watchful eye of the Atraxi (which is quite hard to do, I mean just look at the size of those eyes!). Though Colman doesn't have much to work with, she's remarkably effective in the role, delivering her dialogue with a wicked glint in her eye.

Interestingly, the Moff himself lists wasting Colman among the biggest regrets of his era, given that she was on the cusp of exploding into the mainstream when the episode was filmed.

After a very well-received stint on Broadchurch opposite Doctor Who heavyweights David Tennant, Jodie Whittaker, and Arthur Darvill, Colman starred as Queen Elizabeth II in Netflix’s The Crown, taking over from the original cast, which included Matt Smith as Prince Phillip.

Colman is most widely regarded for her portrayal of Queen Anne in 2018’s The Favourite, which netted her the Oscar for Best Leading Actress. Not many bit-part Doctor Who guest stars can claim an accolade like that!