Doctor Who star Sacha Dhawan addresses potential return as The Master

"Have I done my bit with it?"

By Emma Tinson

25 Oct 2022

doctor who, the power of the doctor, sacha dhawan mandip gill

James Pardon/BBC Studios

Doctor Who actor Sacha Dhawan has said he's open to returning to his role as villainous Time Lord The Master in the future.

Over the weekend, Whovians were treated to a special feature-length episode entitled The Power Of The Doctor, marking both the BBC centenary and Jodie Whittaker's final outing as the TARDIS dwelling time-traveller.

Whittaker's co-stars Mandip Gill and John Bishop have also bowed out of the series, with their characters bidding emotional farewells.

As the hit BBC sci-fi heads into a new era with a new Doctor and Russell T Davies returning as showrunner, it's expected Dhawan's time in the series has also reached its conclusion.

Chatting about his departure, the actor made it clear he's not opposed to making a comeback further down the line but in the meantime is keen to explore other roles.

"I'd love to come back," he told Radio Times. "But sometimes I think... have I done my bit with it? Is it time for me to get my teeth into new characters?"

sacha dhawan, doctor who, the power of the doctor

Sarah WealBBC

Looking back on his time filming The Power Of The Doctor, Dhawan recalled the moment he realised his stint on the show could be coming to an end.

The actor remarked: "I remember when I wrapped – and it was a lovely thing – they gave me my costume to keep, and I was like: 'This is amazing!' but then I thought: 'OK, so I'm definitely not coming back!'.

"It was like: 'Oh, OK... and the tissue compression eliminator too? Oh, I'm definitely not coming back'."

James Pardon/BBC Studios

As the episode drew to its conclusion fans got a surprise when Whittaker's version of The Doctor regenerated into David Tennant.

Viewers had expected to see Sex Eduation star Ncuti Gatwa take over the role after he was announced as the incoming Doctor back in May.

However, returning showrunner Davies has since confirmed Tennant will be "the Fourteenth Doctor" with Gatwa later becoming the "Fifteenth".

Unfortunately, Whovians will have to be patient before they see either in action as the next instalment of Doctor Who isn't set to arrive for over a year, returning for its 60th anniversary in November 2023.

Doctor Who airs on BBC One in the UK. In the US, the show airs on BBC America, with series 1-12 available on HBO Max. Classic Doctor Who streams exclusively on BritBox in the UK.