Shocking! Andrew Garfield’s Hidden Role in ‘Doctor Who’ You Totally Forgot About!

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  • What Is ‘Doctor Who’ About?
  • Who Is Andrew Garfield?
  • Fans Forget Andrew Garfield Played Frank in ‘Doctor Who’

In the latest Christmas Special of “Doctor Who,” titled “Joy to the World,” we’re now looking forward to Season 2 of the show airing on Disney+. This brings us to the upcoming adventures of the 15th Doctor, played by Ncuti Gatwa. When the series resumes in 2025, we can expect The Doctor and his companion, Ruby Sunday (Millie Gibson), to face a prehistoric threat that emerged during the New Year’s celebrations as hinted in the Christmas Special. The intriguing aspect is who will be the new, up-and-coming actor joining the popular British sci-fi series, much like Andrew Garfield did back in 2007.

Before hitting the big screen as Spider-Man and even before slipping into the famous web-slinger suit, Andrew Garfield made a lasting impression alongside David Tennant in two episodes of Doctor Who. Although he delivered an unforgettable performance, Garfield’s career has since reached incredible heights, while Doctor Who has experienced numerous changes. Given that fans eagerly anticipate the premiere date for Season 2 on Disney+, it is a good time to reminisce about Andrew Garfield’s tenure on the show.

What Is ‘Doctor Who’ About?

Since 1963, the British science fiction show known as Doctor Who has been continuously airing, experiencing numerous transformations since its debut. The narrative revolves around a character named the Doctor, who is actually a Time Lord – an extraterrestrial humanoid hailing from Gallifrey. This enigmatic figure traverses time and space in a device called the TARDIS, which resembles a traditional British phone booth.

In my humble opinion as a film critic, embarking on a journey through the infinite expanse of the cosmos with The Doctor has always been an exhilarating experience. Time and again, this enigmatic figure reinvents himself through quick regeneration and the uncanny ability to resurface as a fresh incarnation of the same timeless character. Each new Doctor brings his own idiosyncrasies, perspectives, and convictions to the table, yet they all share an unbroken lineage across the enduring saga that is Doctor Who.

The series underwent a revival in 2005, with David Tennant stepping into the role of the 10th Doctor (who made a brief reappearance as the 14th Doctor). It’s a testament to the show’s enduring allure that it continues to captivate audiences with its rich tapestry of storytelling and unforgettable characters.

In 2022, Disney obtained the franchise and decided to revamp the series once more, selecting Ncuti Gatwa as the 15th Doctor. The fresh start with Disney began on Christmas Day 2023, followed by the rest of the season in May 2024. Based on this schedule, fans can anticipate Season 2 to be available on Disney+ around spring 2025.

Who Is Andrew Garfield?

Andrew Garfield is an exceptional actor from England and has been nominated for two Academy Awards. After making guest appearances on various TV shows during the mid-2000s, Garfield made his film debut with a powerful performance in the 2007 prison reform drama titled “Boy A.” Following that, Garfield collaborated with Robert Redford on the movie “Lions for Lambs,” where he acted alongside Tom Cruise and Meryl Streep. Subsequently, after being part of the undervalued crime series Red Riding, Garfield landed his breakthrough role as Eduardo Saverin in David Fincher’s groundbreaking biopic “The Social Network.

Following his breakthrough role in The Social Network, Andrew Garfield is best known for portraying Peter Parker in The Amazing Spider-Man and its sequel. Notably, the storylines of these films bear resemblance to his Doctor Who narrative, both featuring New York City under various threats. However, prior to exploring this connection, it’s worth noting that Garfield’s remarkable acting talents can be seen in films like Never Let Me Go, 99 Homes, Hacksaw Ridge, Silence, and Under the Silver Lake. More recently, he starred in We Live in Time, directed by John Crowley, who is also known for his work on Boy A.

Fans Forget Andrew Garfield Played Frank in ‘Doctor Who’

As a film enthusiast, let me tell you about an exciting moment from my past. Back in 2007, I found myself stepping into the TARDIS and joining the Doctor in a pair of back-to-back adventures. It all started in Season 3, Episode 4, “Daleks in Manhattan,” where I played Frank, a young southern gentleman from Tennessee, visiting New York City during the Great Depression. Alongside the Doctor, his companion Martha (played by Freema Agyeman), and a survival leader named Solomon (portrayed by Hugh Quarshie), we faced off against those dreadful Daleks!

Rather than just making a silent appearance, Frank plays a pivotal role in the story of “Daleks in Manhattan,” providing David Tennant and Freema Agyeman ample opportunity to interact with him. His performance in this series showcases Garfield’s versatile acting skills and captivating charm. Moreover, as a period drama set in the 1930s, Garfield adorns a newsboy cap and costume, which helps him portray a character from an earlier era authentically, using his rich American southern accent to enhance his acting prowess.

The mysterious vanishing of Frank propels The Doctor and Martha into a theater featuring showgirl acts, where they cross paths with Tallulah (Miranda Raison) and seek her lost boyfriend, Laszlo (Ryan Carnes). In this theater, The Doctor uncovers the Daleks as the culprits behind the mass disappearances, and they’ve abducted Martha. A thrilling confrontation atop the Empire State Building ultimately reveals the destiny of Frank and Martha, as the Daleks confess their intention to merge human and Dalek lineages under the direction of the Cult of Skaro, resulting in a hybrid race.

In the ensuing episode titled “Evolution of the Daleks,” the narrative progresses as Frank and Martha break free from their captors, the Pig Slaves. Although not seen for some parts of the storyline, Frank reappears in the concluding scenes, contributing to a satisfying resolution, by joining forces with The Doctor, Martha, and Tallulah to vanquish the Pig Slaves through a well-timed lighting strike.

18 years ago, when Andrew Garfield made a two-episode appearance on Doctor Who, it might be simple to overlook his performance now. However, looking back, it’s clear that his exceptional skills were evident from the moment he stepped onto the set. Despite being relatively inexperienced at the time, Garfield managed to keep pace with both Tennant and Agyeman, demonstrating just how ready he was for the limelight as a young actor in his 20s.

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2025-01-22 02:06