BBC has announced the next once-lost episode of sci-fi classic Doctor Who to be reincarnated in animation: The Celestial Toymaker — marking the first match-up between the time traveling hero and the game-playing villain. The Toymaker made his latest appearance (played by Neil Patrick Harris) in the third Doctor Who 60th anniversary special, “The Giggle,” which premiered on BBC One this weekend.
The CG-animated version of The Celestial Toymaker is adapted from a four-part story which originally aired in 1966. After the master tapes were erased, the fourth episode became the only recording in the BBC archives, gifted to the pubcaster from Australia in 1984.
In the story, the Doctor (William Hartnell) is separated from his companions Steven Taylor (Peter Purves) and Dodo Chaplet (Jackie Lane) by the immortal Toymaker (Michael Gough), who wants the Time Lord to play a twisted game — meanly, Steven and Dodo face their own deadly challenges.
BBC will release the animated version on DVD, Blu-ray and Steelbook.
The first game between the Doctor and the Toymaker – now fully animated! 🎲#DoctorWho: THE CELESTIAL TOYMAKER, coming soon to DVD, Blu-ray and steelbook. pic.twitter.com/UMT0e4AgsH
— Doctor Who (@bbcdoctorwho) December 7, 2023
[Source: Radio Times]
