He may not be a big fan favorite in the part, but Eric Roberts’ take on Doctor Who villain The Master doesn’t deserve the scorn sometimes heaped upon it. Doctor Who is a classic British sci-fi series that arrived in 1963, and like the title character its taken many forms. Over the years actors from William Hartnell, Jon Pertwee to David Tennant and Jodie Whittaker have taken on the mantle, with each bringing their distinctive touch to the character.
Doctor Who was famously cancelled in 1989, leaving fans of the long-running series heartbroken. It didn’t receive a proper comeback until 2005, where Christopher Eccleston (Thor: The Dark World) was cast as the Ninth Doctor, with Billie Piper as his companion Rose Tyler. While Eccleston’s tenure was short-lived, the new series was a resounding success for the BBC and has been running ever since, with Matt Smith and Peter Capaldi also taking over the TARDIS.
The 2005 revival wasn’t the only attempt at bringing The Doctor back, however. In 1996 a TV movie simply dubbed Doctor Who - retroactively known as Doctor Who: The Movie - arrived, with Paul McGann (Alien 3) taking over from Sylvester McCoy. The movie was a flashy pilot that was supposed to lead to a new series with McGann’s Doctor, but while it performed well in ratings in the UK, it received a mixed U.S. response, nixing plans for a show.
Doctor Who fans are mixed on the TV movie because while Paul McGann’s turn received praise, many felt it was a cheesy attempt to Americanise the show. This can certainly be felt in the San Fransico setting and ill-fitting humor, though the movie isn’t without its charms. Chief among these is Eric Roberts (The Dark Knight) turn as Who’s recurring antagonist The Master. Roberts is adept at playing smarmy villains onscreen, and he brings an enjoyable hammy, scenery chomping quality to the role.
That said, this isn’t a popular opinion. Eric Roberts’ work as The Master in the Doctor Who movie is cited by some as one of its major weaknesses and is seen as totally inferior to previous Masters like Roger Delgado. Roberts’ declaration of “I always dress… for the occasion" is also seen as a low point in the movie. His turn is ultimately underrated because a few bad lines aside, he actually does feel like a new incarnation of the old Masters, and Roberts performs the role with relish. He’s having a great time and despite the lukewarm response to his work, he would later return to voice his Master in Doctor Who audio dramas The Diary Of River Song and Doctor Who: Ravenous 4.
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