Paul McGann (born November 14, 1959 in Surrey, England, United Kingdom) is an English actor who made his name on the BBC serial The Monocled Mutineer, in which he played the lead role. He is also known for his role in Withnail and I, and for portraying the Eighth Doctor in the 1996 Doctor Who television movie and subsequent tie-in media.
Brother of Mark McGann (I), Stephen McGann (I) and Joe McGann
Became the Official 8th Doctor Who in 1996, which he still continues to play today in Audio Adventures.
Was originally cast as the lead in the ITV's "Sharpe" series of television movies but broke his leg playing football a few days into the shooting of Sharpe's Rifles (1993) (TV) in the Ukraine. He was replaced in the role by Sean Bean, who starred not only in Sharpe's Rifles (1993) (TV) but the other thirteen films as well. Bean's replacement of McGann triggered the largest insurance settlement in British television history...a value of £2,128,172.
Replaced Sylvester McCoy as "Doctor Who" and, in 2004, it was announced he would be succeeded in the role by Christopher Eccleston.
Was considered as a replacement for Michael Praed when Praed left the TV series "Robin of Sherwood" (1984), but lost to Jason Connery (I).
Narrates the audio book versions of several of Bernard Cornwell's "Sharpe's" novels.
