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He played the Doctor for the 1996 movie not an episode, that was his only major appearance because the show was cancelled. The American film makers couldn't get Doctor Who to be as popular as the other characters were, mainly because the British were in uproar about a classic British character being re-shaped for American TV.

Russell T Davis, who is British, tried again in 2005. Instantly, Doctor Who was popular again in not just the UK, but in the USA too.

In 2013, Paul was re-hired by the British Doctor Who production team for a mini-episode called The Night of the Doctor, where the audience learnt that he regenerated into what we call "The War Doctor".

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Q: Why did Paul McGann only play the Doctor for one episode?
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What is Doctor Who the cyber seas of rhye?

Its the 1st episode of a two-parter,which is Paul McGann's only 2 parter and 32nd story as the doctor-with The Movie being his 12st story.


Who played the Doctor Who the shortest?

Paul McGann played the 8th Doctor in a TV movie in 1996. He was only the Doctor for the one time.


How many years has Paul mcgann been on doctor who?

He only starred on doctor who once for a one off film in 1996, but as his wikipedia page states:"McGann had signed a contract to appear as the Eighth Doctor in a new Doctor Who series, if Fox or Universal exercised their option. Thus, the television movie was supposed to be a "back door pilot" in that, if it obtained respectable ratings, the new series would continue to be produced. The movie aired on 14 May 1996 in the US and on 27 May 1996 in the UK. Although it earned 9.08 million viewers and was very successful in the UK, ratings were very low in the United States. As a consequence, Fox did not exercise its option to pick up the series and Universal could not find another network who was interested in airing a new Doctor Whoseries. Thus no new series was produced until 2005, after all the contractual rights had returned to the BBC, and the movie became McGann's only televised appearance as the Eighth Doctor.Although McGann played the Doctor on television only once, he gave permission for his likeness to be used on the covers of the BBC's Eighth Doctor novels and he has reprised the role of the Eighth Doctor in an extensive series of audio plays by Big Finish Productions."


Who had the shortest Doctor Who role?

Depends on the definition. Paul McGann (the eighth Doctor) was the Doctor for a 90 minute movie, with no episodic TV serials. However his likeness, his portrayal of the Doctor was used in numerous novels, comics, and audio dramas, from 1996 to 2005. In comparison, Christopher Eccleston's Ninth Doctor was only used for 13 episodes, not even a full year since he was absent from the TV special, although he was also used for other non-televised media.


Why did the Eighth Doctor only appear in 1 episode?

Because it was a one off made for television movie.

Related questions

What is Doctor Who the cyber seas of rhye?

Its the 1st episode of a two-parter,which is Paul McGann's only 2 parter and 32nd story as the doctor-with The Movie being his 12st story.


Who played the Doctor Who the shortest?

Paul McGann played the 8th Doctor in a TV movie in 1996. He was only the Doctor for the one time.


Who is the eighth doctor played by?

The 8th Doctor is played by Paul McGann in the 1997 Television movie. However, it is the only television appearance of the 8th doctor


All of the Doctor Who's in films?

Also: Doctor Who and the Daleks (1965) and Daleks Invasion Earth (1966) starring Peter Cushing as the Doctor


Which classic Doctor Who episode has no companion?

The only Classic Doctor Who episode in which the Doctor had no companion is 'The Deadly Assassin'


What is the name of the Doctor Who episode when the doctor gets arrested?

The only episode I can think of is 'The Keeper of Traken' in 1981, Tom Baker's penultimate story as the Fourth Doctor.


How many years has Paul mcgann been on doctor who?

He only starred on doctor who once for a one off film in 1996, but as his wikipedia page states:"McGann had signed a contract to appear as the Eighth Doctor in a new Doctor Who series, if Fox or Universal exercised their option. Thus, the television movie was supposed to be a "back door pilot" in that, if it obtained respectable ratings, the new series would continue to be produced. The movie aired on 14 May 1996 in the US and on 27 May 1996 in the UK. Although it earned 9.08 million viewers and was very successful in the UK, ratings were very low in the United States. As a consequence, Fox did not exercise its option to pick up the series and Universal could not find another network who was interested in airing a new Doctor Whoseries. Thus no new series was produced until 2005, after all the contractual rights had returned to the BBC, and the movie became McGann's only televised appearance as the Eighth Doctor.Although McGann played the Doctor on television only once, he gave permission for his likeness to be used on the covers of the BBC's Eighth Doctor novels and he has reprised the role of the Eighth Doctor in an extensive series of audio plays by Big Finish Productions."


How many people have played Doctor Who?

1 - the character portrayed on tv radio and in novels is called "The Doctor". Only Peter Cushing in the films had the character name "Doctor Who" and was addressed by that name.Ten, they are: The First Doctor- William Hartnell,The Second Doctor -Patrick Troughton,The Third Doctor -Jon Pertwee,The Fourth Doctor -Tom Baker,The Fifth Doctor -Peter Davison,The Sixth Doctor -Colin Baker,The Seventh Doctor -Sylvester McCoy,The Eighth Doctor -Paul McGann,The Ninth Doctor -Christopher Eccleston,The Tenth Doctor -David Tennant.


Why can the doctor only regenerate 13 times?

a timelord has 13 lifecycles,but can regenerate more..because in the dr who movie with Paul mcgann..the master had already used his 13th cycle only to take another body,by possesion,then he fell into the eye of the tardis making us all think he died..But then the master returned in the episode eutopia with david tennant having forgotten who he was until he was shot and he regenerated into saxon only to be shot again and die..to be reserected in the end of time,only to return with the timelords once again being trapped in the timelock..So i say the doctor has 12 bodies but as with the master,where there is a will there is a way,and knowing the doctor he will find a way....FANTASTIC


In what episode did the eighth Doctor regenerate in?

It is unknown, the Eighth Doctor only appeared in a movie.


Who had the shortest Doctor Who role?

Depends on the definition. Paul McGann (the eighth Doctor) was the Doctor for a 90 minute movie, with no episodic TV serials. However his likeness, his portrayal of the Doctor was used in numerous novels, comics, and audio dramas, from 1996 to 2005. In comparison, Christopher Eccleston's Ninth Doctor was only used for 13 episodes, not even a full year since he was absent from the TV special, although he was also used for other non-televised media.


Is the 9th doctor apearing in the last episode of the fourth series?

No, only the tenth doctor and the doctor that grew out of his hand.