It's the 1996 Doctor Who TV Movie, repurposed and significantly shortened to make it a more dignified entry in the Doctor Who 'canon' (what's left of it), to help with that approach, Antony Ainley returns as The Master to torture the Doctor and set in motion cataclysmic events. The final battle has been excised entirely and we have a new ending which sets up more of the time war and The Master's future revival in the modern era of the show.
Today marks 40 years since Anthony Ainley took over the role of the Master. Collectively, Ainley featured in the most stories featuring the Master (though due to the differing length of stories actually comes in second for most appearances, with 6 less than Roger Delgado). He first appeared in Tom Baker’s penultimate story, The Keeper of Traken and made frequent reappearances throughout the run of the classic series. He was, among other things, known for having a plethora of disguises. What are your thoughts on this incarnation of the Master?
Title says it all, really.
If you aren't familiar with Pop-bitch - it's long-standing newsletter of celebrity gossip, smut and libel and this week there is a story about Anthony Ainley...
But fear not! It's a nice story:
TL writes:
"Back in the early 80s I was a massive Doctor Who fan. I didn't write letters to the Doctors though. I wrote to Anthony Ainley, who played the Doctor's arch-nemesis, the Master. The letter said how, even though I liked the Doctor, I thought The Master was better and I didn't understand why the BBC couldn't let him win occasionally.
"I was utterly gobsmacked when I received not only a signed photo, but also a lengthy letter, written in character by Ainley, on how I was utterly correct and that the BBC were indeed the true enemy for not letting him win.
"Years later, when working for a West London Theatre in 1999, I had the opportunity to meet Ainley. This was almost 20 years on from my letter and I mentioned it in passing in the bar. Ainley lit up and explained in great depth that he'd always remembered it, as 'many children weren't allowed by their parents to write to the bad guy.'"
Yes, all three of them were born on August 20th.
ISBN-13: 978-0304324439
URL: abebooks.co.uk/Young-People-Leaving-Home-Cassell-education/12723730261/bd
