How Every Doctor Who Got Cast

Sylvester McCoy had previously thrown his hat into the ring for the Sixth Doctor, having been unaware that John Nathan-Turner had already cast Colin Baker.

Fast-forward a couple of years and the BBC has fired Colin Baker, and John Nathan-Turner is looking for a new Doctor. Again. Sylvester McCoy – via his agent – puts himself forward for the role, following a recommendation to JNT by BBC producer Clive Doig.

After seeing McCoy perform in The Pied Piper on stage, JNT was convinced that he was the right man to play a Troughton-esque Seventh Doctor. McCoy had a knack for physical comedy, perfected during his years in the anarchic theatre group, the Ken Campbell Roadshow.

However, BBC One Controller Jonathan Powell wasn't convinced that McCoy could lead a TV show, and nixed the casting. Undeterred, JNT assembled a number of actors, McCoy among them, to record screen tests opposite one Janet Fielding, who had played Tegan opposite the Fifth Doctor.

Viewing the tapes, Powell conceded that McCoy was the strongest performer, and so he was officially cast as the Seventh Doctor.