Countdown: 10 Oscar-Nominated Actors Who Have Appeared In Doctor Who

Few television shows are as iconic or as culturally dominant as Doctor Who. Even if you're not a fan, you know about the TARDIS, the Daleks, K9. Its influence is felt all over the world and- much like the Harry Potter franchise- it's seen as a bit of a mark of street cred to appear in it. This goes for actors just starting in their careers as well as established stars.

So, here are ten Oscar-nominated actors that have appeared in Doctor Who. They are listed in the order in which they appeared on the show.

1. Pauline Collins

Pauline Collins is not only one of a small group of Oscar nominees who have appeared in Doctor Who, but she's also one of a small group of actors who have appeared in both the classic and revived series too. She played Samantha Briggs in the Patrick Troughton story The Faceless Ones and then appeared as Queen Victoria opposite David Tennant in Tooth And Claw. She was nominated for the Best Actress Oscar for her performance in Shirley Valentine.

2. Richard Todd

Todd's Oscar nomination came in 1950 for his lead role in The Hasty Heart. It would be more than 30 years later before he would appear in Doctor Who, appearing as Sanders in the rather trippy and philosophical Peter Davison story Kinda.

3. Eric Roberts

Few roles in Doctor Who are as iconic as the Doctor's nemesis, The Master. Roberts (nominated for Best Supporting Actor for Runaway Train) took the role in the 1996 TV Movie opposite Paul McGann. He doesn't quite fit the role but seems to be having an absolute ball, especially with lines as camp as 'I always dress for the occasion'.

4. Andrew Garfield

One of this year's Best Actor nominees for his stunning turn in Hacksaw Ridge, Garfield appeared as Frank in the 2007 two-part story Daleks In Manhattan/Evolution Of The Daleks.

5. Carey Mulligan

The 2007 episode Blink (which introduces the Weeping Angels) is widely thought of as one of the best episodes of the revived series. That's in no short measure to the brilliant performance by Carey Mulligan as substitute companion Sally Sparrow. Mulligan would go on to be nominated for Best Actress for her role in An Education.

6. Felicity Jones

Eight years before her Best Actress nomination for playing Jane Hawking in The Theory Of Everything, Felicity appeared as socialite-with-a-secret Robina Redmond in the very fun Agatha Christie inspired episode The Unicorn And The Wasp.

7. Sophie Okonedo

Sophie Okonedo was nominated for the Best Supporting Actress Oscar for her role in Hotel Rwanda. She played kick-ass future monarch Liz Ten in The Beast Below (Matt Smith's second story as the Doctor). Whilst it's not very good, Okonedo is excellent. She reprises her role in a later episode, The Pandorica Opens.

8. Imelda Staunton

Imelda Staunton was nominated for Best Actress for her role in Vera Drake in 2005 (the same year as Sophie Okonedo). In 2011, she appeared as the Voice of the Interface in the Matt Smith story The Girl Who Waited. Her soothing tones help companion Amy Pond survive alone on an alien planet.

9. Ian McKellen

Acting legend Sir Ian McKellen has been nominated for two Oscars: Best Actor for playing film director James Whale in Gods And Monsters and Best Supporting Actor for playing Gandalf in The Lord Of The Rings: The Fellowship Of The Ring. In 2012, he provided the Voice of the Great Intelligence in the Christmas special The Snowmen.

10. John Hurt

The late, great John Hurt was nominated for two Oscars- for Best Supporting Actor for his role in Midnight Express and Best Actor for The Elephant Man. In 2013, he appeared as The War Doctor, a previously hidden incarnation of the Time Lord, for the 50th anniversary story The Day Of The Doctor and went on to reprise his role for audio dramas for Big Finish.


BONUS: Peter Capaldi

The incumbent Time Lord- who will sadly be leaving the series at the end of this year- is not only an Oscar nominee but an Oscar winner! In 1995, Peter won the Best Live Action Short Film Oscar for writing and directing Franz Kafka's It's A Wonderful Life. Here he is, with his award:

Review: Quartet (UK Cert 12A)

Quartet, Dustin Hoffman's directorial debut based on Ronald Harwood's play about a retirement home for opera singers, is the latest in several recent films who seem to be specifically aimed at the older cinema-going public. Now, I find the idea of marketing films for 'the grey pound' (as it's cynically known) rather disingenuous. Was I not supposed to be moved by Amour because I'm not an octogenarian? Am I not to empathise with the characters of The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel because I'm roughly half their age? Abject nonsense. Good stories and well made films about universal themes- love, loss, forgiveness, redemption- will strike a chord with anyone, regardless of age.

At Beecham House, the residents hold a gala concert every year to celebrate Giuseppe Verdi's birthday (and to raise funds for the upkeep of the house). The arrival of Jean Horton (Maggie Smith) raises a few eyebrows, not least because she is the ex-wife of another resident, Reg (Tom Courtenay). Jean's admission to the home opens some old wounds, exacerbated by the suggestion that Reg and Jean- along with two other residents, Wilf (Billy Connolly) and Cissy (Pauline Collins)- reprise their famous performance of the quartet from Rigoletto ('Bella figlia dell'amore'). But will Jean sing?

Performances are uniformally great across the board. Maggie Smith is great as the spiky old diva, shaken by her change in circumstances and having to deal with her past. The script gives her a fine line in barbed comments which Smith delivers with aplomb- plus, I think, this is the first time I've ever heard Dame Maggie drop the f-bomb! Tom Courtenay is the very model of wounded dignity as Reg finds out who the new arrival is. Their initial frosty confrontation in the church is well played and the thawing of Reg towards Jean is nicely done.

Billy Connolly is an absolute scream as Wilf, a randy old codger constantly chatting up the young female staff and even having a crack at the head doctor (a great Sheridan Smith). However, he's not just there as comic relief and acts as a confidante for Reg. Pauline Collins' performance as Cissy, a singer with an undisclosed kind of dementia, is just lovely: she sweetly witters on but can turn on a sixpence to reveal a more poignant side.

The supporting cast are also brilliant; there's been a canny move in casting a lot of older musicians and singers as the residents (a boon for the gala scenes). In particular, renowned soprano Dame Gwyneth Jones is cast as a former singer who has had a previous rivalry with Jean- and who also gives a brilliant rendition of 'Vissi d'arte' from Tosca at the gala. Michael Gambon also gives a great turn as Cedric, the gala organiser- a bumptious old luvvie with a bad memory.

As you would expect, it's also got a great soundtrack- featuring pieces by Boccherini, Puccini and Verdi, amongst others. There may be no real surprises along the way- the plot is fairly predictable- but the journey is what's more important. Heartwarming, funny and touching and well worth 98 minutes of your time.

Rating: 4 out of 5

Tez