HIMYM's Neil Patrick Harris joins cast of 'Doctor Who' 60th anniversary special
American actor Neil Patrick Harris has joined the cast of Doctor Who’s 60th anniversary special.
In a recent blog post, Doctor Who said that Harris is currently filming scenes for the acclaimed sci-fi series’ anniversary special next year.
Harris is best known for his portrayal of womanizing playboy Barney Stinson in the long-running sitcom How I Met Your Mother, which aired on CBS from September 2005 to May 2013.
In an Instagram post, Doctor Who current showrunner Russell T. Davies described Harris’ character as “the greatest enemy the Doctor has ever faced.”
“Such a great actor, such a great man, it’s an honor and a hoot,” he said.
Details about Harris’ character remain a mystery as of now but the British broadcaster showed off a glimpse of the actor’s first look on set.
In the photo, Harris can be seen wearing a pair of glasses and an old apron that appears to hold a pair of pliers in its pockets.
Harris is joining the sci-fi series’ new lead actor, Sex Education's Ncuti Gatwa as well as Doctor Who alums, David Tennant and Catherine Tate. Rounding up the cast is Heartstopper's Yasmin Finney, who is believed to be portraying another version of Rose.
In a separate Instagram post, Harris promises to “try my hardest to do my worst,” adding that the new Doctor “has no idea what’s in store. And even if he does… Who cares? Ha ha ha HA ha-ha-ha!”
“It’s my huge honor to open our studio doors for the mighty Neil Patrick Harris… but who, why, what is he playing? You’ll just have to wait. But I promise you, the stuff we’re shooting now is off the scale. Doctor beware!” Davies said in a statement.
With more than 800 episodes spanning five decades and 13 regenerations, BBC’s science fiction program is indisputably the real “OG” of time travel shows. The iconic British series lasted from 1963 to 1989 and had undergone a much-needed reboot in 2005.
Doctor Who follows the story of an eccentric Time Lord only known as The Doctor. The two-hearted alien fights monsters, solves mysteries and travels through time and space with his companions on board the Time And Relative Dimension In Space or simply, the TARDIS.