Man, Doctor Who sure does attract a lot of acting talent. So much talent in fact that this year’s National Television Awards best Drama Performance category is chock-a-block with former Doctors and companions.
There are (deep breath) three Doctors – Peter Capaldi’s departing Twelfth, Jodie Whittaker’s incoming Thirteenth and David Tennant’s former Tenth – two companions – Pearl Mackie’s outgoing Bill Potts and her predecessor, Jenna Coleman’s Clara Oswald – plus Derek Jacobi’s Master and numerous one-time guest-stars, including Hermione Norris, Keeley Hawes, Maxine Peake, Olivia Colman, Suranne Jones and Toby Jones.
The sky was dark because all the stars were busy being shortlisted for this award. Of course, out of all those names, only Peter Capaldi and Pearl Mackie were nominated for Doctor Who with Whittaker up for both BBC medical drama Trust Me and ITV’s Broadchurch – the latter alongside Tennant and Colman – and Jenna Coleman for her starring role in Victoria – the origin story of bathroom and bedroom suppliers Victoria Plumb…probably.
Members of the public can vote to reduce the current longlists for each category to shortlists which will then make up the final nominees who will then battle it out to the death in a giant thunderdome for the prize of ultimate champion.
Visit nationaltvawards.com to vote for free or call 0844 646 2060 for a voting form. Calls cost 5p plus your network access charge.
Voting closes at 11pm on Friday 27th October 2017.
The National Television Awards airs on 23rd January 2018.