5 Shocking Facts About Andrew Garfield’s Forgotten Doctor Who Role And Why He Could Return In The Ncuti Gatwa Era

The persistent buzz surrounding Andrew Garfield and *Doctor Who* is not just baseless fan-casting; it’s a revival of a forgotten history. As of December 2025, the Hollywood A-lister and former Spider-Man star has a deep, yet often overlooked, connection to the long-running British sci-fi series, a connection that is fueling intense speculation about a potential return during the current Ncuti Gatwa era. This article dives into the complete, surprising story, from his humble 2007 appearance to the current, fervent fan theories.

The rumors have gained significant traction, especially with showrunner Russell T Davies back at the helm, the very person who oversaw Garfield's original guest role. The question is no longer *if* Garfield was in *Doctor Who*, but *when* and *how* he might make his blockbuster return to the TARDIS universe.

Andrew Garfield: A Brief Profile and Biography

Andrew Russell Garfield is an English and American actor known for his versatile roles across film, television, and stage. He brings a unique blend of vulnerability and emotional depth to his characters, making him one of the most respected actors of his generation.

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• Full Name: Andrew Russell Garfield
• Date of Birth: 20 August 1983
• Birthplace: Los Angeles, California, USA (Raised in Surrey, England)
• Nationality: English and American
• Education: Graduated from the Central School of Speech and Drama, London.
• Notable Awards: Tony Award, BAFTA TV Award, and multiple nominations for Academy Awards and Golden Globe Awards.
• Breakout Roles: Eduardo Saverin in *The Social Network* (2010) and Peter Parker/Spider-Man in *The Amazing Spider-Man* (2012).
• Early TV Appearance: Frank in *Doctor Who* (2007).

The Forgotten Role: Andrew Garfield as Frank in Doctor Who (2007)

Long before he was swinging through New York as Peter Parker, Andrew Garfield appeared in the third series of *Doctor Who* alongside the Tenth Doctor, played by David Tennant.

His role was not a brief cameo, but a significant supporting character named Frank in a two-part story: "Daleks in Manhattan" and "Evolution of the Daleks."

Who Was Frank?

Frank was a young, working-class man living in a shanty town in 1930s New York, during the Great Depression. He was part of a small group of survivors who sought shelter and work in the sewers.

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The character was a key figure in the plot, helping the Doctor and his companion, Martha Jones, navigate the tunnels where the Daleks were conducting their sinister experiments. Frank was the most conflicted supporting character in the episode, giving the then-unknown Garfield a chance to showcase his dramatic range.

It is a role that often shocks fans today, as Garfield was a relatively unknown actor at the time, with only limited screen credits on British television.

The Persistent Rumor: Why Fans Want a Blockbuster Return

Despite his original character Frank meeting his end in the 2007 two-parter, speculation about Garfield's return to *Doctor Who* has never truly died. The rumors have intensified in the 2024–2025 period, driven by several key factors.

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1. The "Spider-Man" Multiverse Effect

Garfield's successful return to his Peter Parker role in *Spider-Man: No Way Home* proved that actors can—and should—return to beloved franchises, even years later. This has fueled the fan theory that he could return to *Doctor Who* in a completely new role, perhaps as a different incarnation of the Doctor or a major villain.

2. Fan Casting as The Doctor

For years, Andrew Garfield has been a top choice in fan-casting polls for the role of The Doctor. His ability to blend manic energy with profound emotional vulnerability is seen as a perfect fit for the time-traveling alien. Some fan castings even placed him as the 4th Doctor in a hypothetical 2024 reboot, showcasing the depth of this desire among the fanbase.

3. The Russell T Davies Factor (RTD)

The most compelling reason for a potential return is the reunion with showrunner Russell T Davies. Garfield's original appearance as Frank was during RTD's first successful run. The current era, featuring Ncuti Gatwa as the Fifteenth Doctor, is also being helmed by RTD.

RTD is famous for bringing back actors in new roles (like Karen Gillan, who appeared in a small role before being cast as a companion). A high-profile return for Garfield would be a classic RTD move, creating enormous media buzz for the new Disney+ era of the show.

The Future: What Role Could Andrew Garfield Play Now?

Given the persistent speculation and the show's history of re-casting, there are three main theories about how Andrew Garfield could re-enter the TARDIS universe:

1. A Major Villain or Recurring Antagonist

With his star power, Garfield is unlikely to take a small guest role. He could be cast as a major, high-profile villain for a multi-episode arc in the Ncuti Gatwa era. This would be a perfect way to leverage his talent and the global attention he commands.

2. A One-Off Special Doctor

Another popular theory suggests he could appear as a "Special Doctor" in a one-off adventure or a multi-Doctor special. This would allow him to fulfill the fan-casting dream without committing to a full series, similar to the brief return of David Tennant.

3. A Return as Frank (A Retcon or Alternate Timeline)

While Frank died in the 2007 episodes, *Doctor Who* is the master of time travel and alternate realities. A surprise return of Frank, perhaps as a survivor from a parallel universe or a new, evolved form created by the Daleks, would be the ultimate nostalgic twist for long-time fans.

For now, Andrew Garfield is busy with new film projects like the romantic drama *We Live in Time*, and he has a history of shutting down major franchise return rumors, such as his comments on *Avengers: Doomsday*. However, the unique history he shares with *Doctor Who* and Russell T Davies means that the door to the TARDIS is almost certainly still open for him to make a triumphant, and unexpected, return.