We earn a commission for products purchased through some links in this article.
John Simm Returns as The Master (Official)
From the BBC press Office
John Simm will return as The Master to battle The Doctor (Peter Capaldi), new companion Bill Potts (Pearl Mackie) and Nardole (Matt Lucas) in the forthcoming series of Doctor Who.
John Simm says: “I can confirm that it’s true, thanks to the power of time travel I’m back. It’s always a pleasure to work with this great team of people and I can’t wait for you all to see what The Master gets up to in the next series.”
Steven Moffat, writer and executive producer, says: “Nothing stays secret for long on Doctor Who but you’ll have to wait a little bit longer to see exactly what The Master is up to and how he makes his return to face the Doctor. It’s been a huge pleasure to have fan favourites John Simm and Michelle Gomez face to face in the same role! It’s not often you get to see a solo personality clash.”
John Simm was last seen as The Master on New Year’s Day 2010. Viewers will have to wait to see exactly when and how The Master will return to the new series, which starts on Saturday 15 April at 7.20pm on BBC One.
As previously announced, Doctor Who series ten will also star Michelle Gomez as Missy – a later regeneration of The Master. Other returning foes include the Daleks, the Ice Warriors and – returning for the first time in almost fifty years – the Mondasian Cybermen. An exciting line up of new faces and adversaries will debut across the series, including adorable-but-deadly Emojibots and David Suchet as The Landlord.
Doctor Who returns to BBC One with episode one The Pilot at 7.20pm on Saturday 15 April.
Doctor Who Series 10 Parts 1 and 2 Blu-ray / DVD
Available to order in the UK from www.amazon.co.uk
Available to order in the USA from www.amazon.com
Peter Capaldi returns as Doctor Who for twelve thrilling adventures. He is joined by new companion, Bill (played by Pearl Mackie), along with returning loveable alien, Nardole (played by Matt Lucas).
The Surgeon
April 7th, 2017 - 3:27pmHmm… I wouldn’t be too surprised if we saw even more. Jacobi maybe? Or Eric Roberta’s Master (if that’s his name – the Paul McGann one)
pats86
April 7th, 2017 - 2:37pmCalling it now, Paul McGann`s Doctor to make an appearance?
Missy to be the Doctors long lost wife? (gone insane)
The Master has not regenerated and is still Simm`s Master incarnation?
Hell Bent to be a bad dream and Clara is DEAD?
Susan to return having regenerated into Stefanie Martini (Tennison, Prime Suspect 1973)
Now if I was the showrunner this is what you would get! and much more.
pats86
April 7th, 2017 - 2:41pmOh and the next Doctor would be…Idris Elba.
T4RD1S
April 7th, 2017 - 6:55pmIf the Doctor was gonna be black, it should be Idris Elba, I can already imagine it.
The Outcast
April 8th, 2017 - 5:30amOther than the Missy = Wife bit, This all seems really good.
anon
April 8th, 2017 - 4:46pmPats86, think if you were the showrunner, you wouldnt have very good views.
Mrewanwatson
April 8th, 2017 - 5:59pmThat sounds brilliant! Irish Elba is definitely the top pick for me if the next Doctor was to be male.
The Moffat Paradox
April 7th, 2017 - 1:04pmWhen we’ve had multi Doctor stories was an obvious plot way to go apart from maybe multi Doctor V muti Master.Pity though that besides Derek Jacobi there isn`t also Anthony Ainley and the great Roger Delgado to put in the mix as well.Think John Simm and Michelle Gomez are great in their takes on the chracter but Delgado set the bar and it’s intriquing to see his Master up against the 12th Doctor in a comic strip.
Tim M
April 7th, 2017 - 1:02pmOkay everyone! put all the actors/actresses that have played ‘The Master’ in order from favourite to least favourite. It’s just for fun.
1) Roger Delgado 10/10
2) Michelle Gomez 9/10
3) Anthony Ainley 8/10
4) Peter Pratt 8/10
5) Geoffrey Beevers 8/10
6) Derek Jacobi 7/10
7) John Simm 6/10
8) Eric Roberts 5/10
THE MASTER RACE
April 7th, 2017 - 8:54pm1. John Simm
2. Roger Delgado
3. Michelle Gomez
4. Anthony Ainley
5. Derek Jacobi
6. Peter Pratt
7. Eric Roberts
Wibbly Wobbly, Timey Wimey
April 8th, 2017 - 3:28am1) John Simm – 10/10
2) Roger Delgado – 9/10
3) Peter Pratt – 8/10
4) Michelle Gomez – 8/10
5) Anthony Ainley – 7/10
6) Derek Jacobi – 6/10
7) Geoffrey Beevers – 6/10
8 Eric Roberts – 4/10
The Outcast
April 8th, 2017 - 5:32amDelgado, Decayed and Ainley and Derek Jacobi: 10/10
All the other onscreen Masters: 4 or 5/10
WFK DVD Collector 17
April 8th, 2017 - 2:45pm1. Rodger Delgado 10/10
2. Antony Ainley 9/10
3. John Simm 7/10
4. Geoffrey Beevers 7/10
5. Peter Pratt 7/10
The Brigadier2016
April 7th, 2017 - 12:13pmCan’t help getting the feeling this has all slipped out a little too easily. I agree with Booboo…..Is this just a smokescreen for something even bigger? Who else might be returning?
Tim M
April 7th, 2017 - 12:51pmWell…it’s a long shot. But what about Roger Delgado. I know it would be difficult, but couldn’t he also be featured as a CGI creation, much like that of Peter Cushing in the recent ‘Star Wars’ movie. Even if it was new material of Delgado in a cameo moment.
Doctor Stu
April 7th, 2017 - 2:39pmI don’t think Doctor Who has the budget to recreate somebody to the same standard as Tarkin but it would be good
The Moffat Paradox
April 7th, 2017 - 8:42pmTechnology improves and comes down in cost though and disappointed that there haven`t been more remasterings of the classic series such as the Pertwee era after the one of “Day Of The Daleks”.How about a remastering of “Planet /Genesis Of The Daleks”?
the ergon
April 9th, 2017 - 12:01pmBy doctor whos 60th, the price may have been reduced for the series to afford this technology.
The Brigadier2016
April 10th, 2017 - 10:33pmAnyone for David Bradley appearing as the First Doctor, anyone?!
the ergon
April 7th, 2017 - 12:08pmNot the first multi master master story if you count all the funny variations of himself in the end of time. Hope he returns with the delgado/ ainsley beard.
pats86
April 7th, 2017 - 10:20amI still say we would have had a bigger shock had Missy turned out to be Romana, the Rani or even Susan! when she revealed herself as the Master it was foreseen by 90% of the viewers no doubt, a total letdown.
But it is great that the real Master (John Simm) is back. Gomez is a fine actor but she is no Master as far as I am concerned.
When The Doctor Was Me
April 7th, 2017 - 11:14amI really wanted her to be Missy! A brand new evil timelady to us but has a secret past with The Doctor
12th Doctor Fan
April 7th, 2017 - 5:51pmAgreed thank ýou my thoughts exactly.
Wibbly Wobbly, Timey Wimey
April 7th, 2017 - 4:55amAbsolutely over the moon. John Simm was the Master at his finest. I like Missy, but I didn’t like the fact that she and the Doctor were very friendly towards each other and were actually working together in Season 9 first two episodes. I liked the Master best when he was destroying one tenth of Earth’s population and enslaving mankind, or converting everyone on Earth into himself.
What I would love to see is John Simm’s regeneration into Missy, and that the episode which he is in tells the story of how and why he regenerated, and ending with Michelle Gomez discovering that she’s a woman, and naming herself Missy.
Lol Hayden
April 6th, 2017 - 11:11pmI am so so so so so excited for John Simm to return as the master. He was always my favourite character when I was little so I am super excited to have him back
When The Doctor Was Me
April 6th, 2017 - 10:03pmGreat news. Having recently rewatched series 3 this hypes me more! I love his Master.
I also love Missy. But as Missy NOT the Master. So very unlikely but I kinda hope he turns up and reveals its all a scam and she faked being the Master, so the Doctor and Master team up to take down Missy.
Hipeful thinking I know but what an episode it would be!
Borg
April 6th, 2017 - 10:29pmMaybe have Missy be an alternate universe version of the Master, or some other time-wimey explanation
Dalek Eye Stalk
April 6th, 2017 - 11:40pmMissy is definitely the Master. No doubt about that.
Anonymous
April 7th, 2017 - 9:52amWhy is the assumption that Missy is a scam or an alternate universe Master? I just think this is nothing more than a (very exciting) multi Master story. We have had loads of Multi Doctor stories where 1 or ore incarnations of the Doctor co-exist along side each other…why should it be any different for the master. Remember..this is a time travel show.
When The Doctor Was Me
April 7th, 2017 - 10:13amI’m not assuming anything! I’m just putting my theory/idea out there, like others below and elsewhere. I’m not saying there can’t be multi Master story either. I’m just saying an idea!
Anonymous
April 7th, 2017 - 10:47amI wondered if it’s because Missy is a woman and some fans would prefer it if it turned out she wasn’t the real Master.
When The Doctor Was Me
April 7th, 2017 - 11:13amNot at all. I know Missy is the Master. And i’m fine with that. The gender change has never overly bothered me. I do however think it could be in character for Missy to be an intruder and has locked up the real Master, pretended to be him to get closer to the Doctor. I won’t happen but just an idea.
The Outcast
April 7th, 2017 - 1:57pmMy problem with Missy is she just too helpful to the Doctor and also flirty. I saw roots of a Delgado-esk Master when she was watching the Doctor fall to his death. But other than that, it just seems as though shes a slightly more evil River Song. Which is a shame. I was hoping someone else would get to write for her, but no, she only seems to be appearing in Moffat episodes. 🙁
pats86
April 7th, 2017 - 1:59pmHad Missy been the Doctors wife it would have had a devastating impact on him and us the viewers! but alas we got what we got 🙁 something bland.
Anonymous
April 7th, 2017 - 6:01pmWell we know the finale has some relevance to parrallel universes as the cybrus cybermen, with the ‘C’ logo on the chest plate, perhaps missy could be from the same universe.
It might explain how she managed to get the cyberiad cybermen to work with her in series 8; she had experience with similar beings before; the cybrus industries cybermen of her own universe!
The Outcast
April 8th, 2017 - 5:37amI don’t think we should see the Doctor’s family, Never liked the idea. Also, I don’t really like Doctor romance arcs, they happen all the time and its just annoying. I think romance damaged the Doctor as a character. I’m ok with the Doctor being happy and joyful, but the romance arcs with humans will and have always been rubbish. This is one reason I rank the Classic Doctors far higher than the Nu-Who ones.
lava tree
April 6th, 2017 - 9:53pmBet episode 11 is called The Two Masters.
Why do Gallifreyans use “The” in their chosen names, the Doctor, the Master, the Valeyard, the Rani, the Monk (unless im mixed up) and (possibly) the Landlord. I really believe that David Suchet is playing a Time Lord.
Obsie
April 6th, 2017 - 11:46pmThe best way to try and figure this out is to refer to “Robot”, when The Doctor was talking to Harry Sullivan about which was one was the doctor and who was the patient scene : “You may be a doctor, but I am The Doctor. The definite article, you might say “.
It seems Time Lords just like to adopt something approaching a title that carries some degree of importance and respect.
Run you clever boy. . . and be a Doctor
April 7th, 2017 - 6:47amI find tom baker VERY overrated. Yh sure hes the longest running doctor, but its annoying how in the 50th, the curator says to 11, revisiting just the “old favourites”. Hes not everyones cup of tea. Thats just my opinion though.
Dalek Eye Stalk
April 7th, 2017 - 10:59amTom Baker overrated…! Certainly not. Tom Baker was born to play the Doctor. I can’t say the same about David Tennant. Yes, he’s a great actor, but not a natural born Doctor in my eyes…so I find David Tennant equally overrated.
The Moment
April 7th, 2017 - 11:03amI agree Tom Baker is a bit overrated. David Tennant is the best Doctor and was born to play the Doctor.
The Outcast
April 7th, 2017 - 1:51pmYou know who is underrated, Colin Baker.
TARDIS H
April 7th, 2017 - 2:14pmYes Colin Baker is amazing and my favourite doctor. I met him on Saturday and he was a very nice man.
DannyTheNerd
April 6th, 2017 - 9:11pmI have never beens so happy to hear Doctor Who news! John’s master is my favourite Doctor Who Villian
Anonymous
April 6th, 2017 - 8:26pmFINALY YES YES YES!!!!!!! WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
Doctor Stu
April 6th, 2017 - 7:28pmWell looks like it’s officially out of the bag, I’m honestly so excited, even with a weak script, Julian Bleach shone as Davros again so I’m expecting the same from John Simm, he’ll do the best with what he’s given. I hope his return joins the dots between end of time (one of the best episodes by RTD #legend) and Dark Water/death in heaven
Dalek Eye Stalk
April 6th, 2017 - 7:02pmI hope John Simm’s take on the Master is toned down somewhat. I didn’t really like his OTT performance during the Tennant era. It was like watching an over excited kid, on too much of a sugar fix. Less of that please Mr Simm.
Anonymous
April 6th, 2017 - 7:51pm…and lets hope he doesn’t mock Doctor Who fans this time round…
The Outcast
April 7th, 2017 - 1:06amHe didn’t like it either. It was what RTD wanted.
Dalek Eye Stalk
April 7th, 2017 - 11:09amRTD must have been on a mega sugar fix then, writing for John Simm’s utterly hyper Master! Plus some fans have short memories. Some berate the Steven Moffat era, yet consider the RTD era to be perfect. But even David Tennant was in some absolute embarrassing rubbish. In time, people will re-evaluate the Moffat era, and I believe it will hold up much better in overall quality.
The Outcast
April 7th, 2017 - 1:50pmI have problems with the RTD era, yeah, but the Moffat era has many more problems:
Clara, Hell Bent, The Doctor killing someone in Cold Blood for no reason, The plot arc that only consist of one question (Who is Missy, Who is the Hybrid, Who is River, Who is Clara, etc), The plot arcs having constantly terrible resolutions (Wedding of River Song and Hell Bent fit most peoples ‘Bad episode’ bills, and its even worse with the 12 (or more) weeks of build up). The over emthesis on the Importance of the Doctor to the universe (As in, why does everyone randomly know his legacy, I’d rather spend the five minutes talking about the importance of the Doctor learning about other things. Once, its ok, Twice, its pushing it, Thrice, we get it already), The Master basically just being an a frienemy who constantly banters with the Doctor and only causes chaos (The Master was never meant to be like that, the Master is meant to be a VILLIAN who is the enemy of the Doctor and wants to rule the universe or gain more lives. He/She wanted to defeat the Doctor so they can finally achieve that goal/ because they’ve previously been deafeated by him, which is an embarrassment and something that the Master feels held back by). The constant Fan-service editing of the Doctor’s past (Looking at Hell Bent and Name of the Doctor mainly. All the Impossible Girl and Hybrid stuff needs to go. Big Finish?).
That was a sorta RANT on what I dislike about the Moffat era.
T4RD1S
April 7th, 2017 - 6:59pmHe was a little hyper but John Simm’s Master is meant to be crazy and psycho.
Dalekparadigm2
April 6th, 2017 - 6:33pmWhaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaat
Omega63
April 6th, 2017 - 6:12pmCalls for a 5.5″ re-release (obviously clothes dependent, but even so)? Along with a Mondasian Cyberman (even if they are slightly different to their original counterparts).
Jordan Scott
April 6th, 2017 - 6:51pmOh yeah never thought about that!
The Dalek Whovian
April 6th, 2017 - 6:08pmI feel sorry for BooBoo who had to make sure the leak didn’t get to this website before it was officially announced
Jordan Scott
April 6th, 2017 - 6:06pmAbsolutely fantastic news! This is one of the reasons I love Doctor Who, when things you never thought would ever happen actually happen! 🙂
The Dalek Whovian
April 6th, 2017 - 6:06pmFunny yesterday I was just thinking how a multi master story would be awesome. Moffat must be telepathic. In all serious this is awesome news I cant wait to see the Master/Missy interact with himself/herself
Anonymous
April 6th, 2017 - 5:33pmI think this is the first multi Master story…at least on TV anyway.
Good old Moff…never affraid to push the boundaries…gutted he is leaving.
Mr. J
April 6th, 2017 - 5:24pmThis is probably the big spoiler at the end of the new trailer!
Mr. J
April 6th, 2017 - 5:24pmBy all the moons of Mondas!!! Why haven’t they done this before!!! Freakiest thing is; when I was at the DW Festival in London, I asked Michelle Gomez would she be interested in a multi-master story!! She started laughing and said all the masters could wear black leather!!! Fingers crossed for black leather!
The Dalek Whovian
April 6th, 2017 - 6:07pmSounds like a pop group band “The Masters”
12th Doctor Fan
April 6th, 2017 - 5:23pmYes, this is fantastic,
CJames
April 6th, 2017 - 5:17pmI’m going for Simm regenerating into Suchet, regenerates into Gomez.
Exterminator
April 6th, 2017 - 6:48pmInteresting theory.
Exterminator
April 7th, 2017 - 1:21amI think David Suchet’s ‘the landlord’ might be the return of the meddling monk.
prototype dalek
April 6th, 2017 - 5:16pmReally cant wait, one of my favourite masters as well as Roger Delgado!
The Living Shadow
April 6th, 2017 - 5:10pmWhy did they have to spoil this? ;-;
booboo
April 6th, 2017 - 5:13pmprobably because the Sun did, but then if you going to show it its going to get out.
Its been officially announced now so no longer a spoiler
Of course this could be a distraction from something even bigger
JasonisnotaRobot
April 6th, 2017 - 6:06pmThat excites me
The Living Shadow
April 6th, 2017 - 7:33pmI get that they’d rather us hear from the official site than the Sun, however at least that would give us fans some kind of an option. I know to avoid the Sun from past experience of them spoiling things (I avoid the Sun anyway, come to think of it, I guess this is an incentive to avoid it).
I hope it’s a distraction from something bigger, but if that is the case, we’d better hope they don’t announce that too!
Anonymous
April 7th, 2017 - 7:05amSomething bigger is coming this series, it blew my mind when I found out, this is just the appetiser……
Anonymous
April 10th, 2017 - 12:02pmHow do u know @anonymous?
Anonymous
April 6th, 2017 - 5:04pmI wouldn’t be surprised if we see John Simm’s Master regenerate.
caolan
April 6th, 2017 - 5:58pmI hope so to
DoctorOsgoodTARDIS
April 6th, 2017 - 4:57pmSimm and Gomez face to face!!! Multi Master story!!! Now official beyond hyped for Series 10
DoctorOsgoodTARDIS
April 10th, 2017 - 10:41pmAny word as to the episode number in which he returns?
Judooning
April 6th, 2017 - 4:56pmOver the flippin’ moon! I adore the three parter from series 3 with him as the Master. It will be so good to see him interact with another incarnation of the Doctor.