View source for Colin Baker

{{Short description|English actor (born 1943)}}
{{About|the actor}}
{{BLP sources|date=January 2018}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2017}}
{{Use British English|date=March 2016}}
{{Infobox person
| name               = Colin Baker
| image              = File:Colin Baker (cropped).jpg
| caption            = Baker in 2014
| birth_name         = Colin Charles Baker
| birth_date         = {{Birth date and age|df=y|1943|6|8}}
| birth_place        = [[Waterloo, London]], England
| spouse             = {{ubl|{{marriage|[[Liza Goddard]]|1976|1978|end=divorced}}|{{marriage|Marion Wyatt|1982}}}}
| children           = 5 (1 deceased)
| education          = [[St Bede's College, Manchester]]
| known_for          = Sixth incarnation of the Doctor in ''[[Doctor Who]]''
| alma_mater         = [[London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art]]
| occupation         = Actor
| years_active       = 1969–present
| website            = {{URL|colinbakeronline.com}}
}}

'''Colin Charles Baker''' (born 8 June 1943) is an English actor. He is best known for playing Paul Merroney in the [[BBC television drama|BBC drama]] series ''[[The Brothers (1972 TV series)|The Brothers]]'' (1974–1976) and the [[Sixth Doctor|sixth incarnation]] of [[The Doctor (Doctor Who)|the Doctor]] in the [[science fiction on television|science fiction]] series ''[[Doctor Who]]'' (1984–1986).

Born in [[London]] and raised in [[Rochdale]], he began his career with supporting parts in historical dramas such as [[The Roads to Freedom (TV serial)|''The Roads to Freedom'']] (1970), ''[[Cousin Bette]]'' (1971)'', [[War and Peace (1972 TV series)|War and Peace]]'' (1972) and ''[[Fall of Eagles]]'' (1974). Baker's role in ''The Brothers'' brought him fame but typecast him as villainous characters.

Producer [[John Nathan-Turner]] was impressed by Baker's performance as Commander Maxil in the ''Doctor Who'' serial ''[[Arc of Infinity]]'' (1983) and cast him as the series' sixth lead actor in 1983.<ref name=":3" /> Baker's tenure as the Doctor proved to be turbulent. BBC executives [[Michael Grade]] and [[Jonathan Powell (producer)|Jonathan Powell]] were unhappy with the series' direction, enforcing an 18-month hiatus after Baker's first season and ultimately forcing Baker's dismissal from the role.<ref>{{Cite news |last= |date=2009-01-05 |title=Michael Grade delivers second opinion on Doctor Who: 'I was wrong' |url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/mediamonkeyblog/2009/jan/05/doctor-who-michael-grade |access-date=2025-11-13 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}</ref>{{Sfn|Ainsworth|2015|pp=93–94}} Since 1999 Baker has regularly played the Sixth Doctor in licensed audio dramas produced by [[Big Finish Productions]]. He also reprised the role in the stage play [[The Ultimate Adventure (Doctor Who)|''The Ultimate Adventure'']] (1989) and the television stories ''[[Dimensions in Time]]'' (1993) and "[[The Power of the Doctor]]" (2022).<ref>{{Cite web |last=Moreland |first=Alex |date=6 October 2021 |title=Doctor Who's Colin Baker on Big Finish, Jodie Whittaker, and who should play the next Doctor |url=https://www.digitalspy.com/tv/a37854055/doctor-who-colin-baker-big-finish-fourteenth-doctor/ |access-date=2025-11-14 |website=Digital Spy |language=en-GB}}</ref>

==Early life and education==
Colin Charles Baker was born on 8 June 1943 in [[Waterloo, London]], the son of Charles Ernest Baker (died 1971), managing director of an asbestos company, and Lily Catherine (died 2001).{{Sfn|Ainsworth|2015|p=90}}<ref>{{Cite book |url=http://archive.org/details/debrettspeopleof0000unse_f2j7 |title=Debrett's People of Today |date=2003 |publisher=Debrett's Peerage Limited |others=via the [[Internet Archive]] |isbn=1-870-520-31-9 |editor-last=Gullen |editor-first=Zoë |edition=16 |location=London |pages=83 |editor-last2=Sefton |editor-first2=Daniel}}</ref> He has Irish ancestry on his mother's side.<ref>{{cite web |title=Ask Colin |url=http://colinbaker.webs.com/askcolin.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100604215024/http://colinbaker.webs.com/askcolin.htm |archive-date=4 June 2010 |access-date=28 July 2014 |work=Colin Baker Online |quote=}}</ref> As a child he moved with his family to [[Rochdale]] due to his father's work.{{Sfn|Ainsworth|2015|p=90}}

Baker's first experience acting was in a nativity play at his primary school. During his education at [[St Bede's College, Manchester]], he took part in productions of ''[[The Yeomen of the Guard]]'' and ''[[Iolanthe]]''. He made his first television appearance in the 1956 Christmas special of ''My Wife's Sister''.{{Sfn|Ainsworth|2015|p=90}}

Baker studied French, Greek and Latin at [[A-level|A-Levels]], achieving A grades in Greek and Latin.<ref>{{Cite web |date=1 August 2006 |title=THE BEST DAYS OF YOUR LIFE? Colin Baker, actor |url=https://www.heraldscotland.com/default_content/12425841.best-days-life-colin-baker-actor/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210516131443/https://www.heraldscotland.com/default_content/12425841.best-days-life-colin-baker-actor/ |archive-date=16 May 2021 |website=The Herald}}</ref> Despite a desire to study at the [[University of Oxford]], his father found him employment as a trainee solicitor at Fox, Brooks & Marshall.{{Sfn|Ainsworth|2015|p=|pp=90–91}}<ref name=":2">{{Cite interview |last=Baker |first=Colin |interviewer=Benjamin Timothy Gobey |title=Interview with Colin Baker (Actor) |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nEeo0fksyZw |date=10 March 2019}}</ref> Baker stated in 1991:<blockquote>"When I was 18, I told my father I wanted to go to Oxford. It was immaterial what I studied there.  His income was such that, without his say-so, I couldn't go anywhere, because I couldn't get a grant and he thought University was a waste of time so at 18 I was shoved into a solicitor's office. I did what I was told."<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Everest |first=Hazel |date=24 Nov 1991 |title=Who is Doctor Who |journal=KREDStudent |volume=190 |pages=6}}</ref></blockquote>Baker initially felt that "the idea of being an actor seemed silly, frankly", but an encounter with a member of an [[Amateur theatre|amateur dramatic society]] led to him joining the North Manchester Amateur Operatic and Dramatic Society and later the Rochdale Curtain Theatre amateur group.{{Sfn|Ainsworth|2015|p=|pp=90–91}} After his father had a stroke, Baker jettisoned his law career at age 22<ref name=":2" /> and moved to London with his mother. Baker unsuccessfully auditioned for [[Royal Academy of Dramatic Art|RADA]]; he succeeded the following year but instead chose to attend the [[London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art]] (LAMDA).{{Sfn|Ainsworth|2015|p=|pp=90–91}}

==Career==

=== Early work in television ===
[[File:Colin Baker and Jean Anderson in 1976.jpg|thumb|Baker with his ''[[The Brothers (1972 TV series)|The Brothers]]'' co-star [[Jean Anderson]] in 1976]]
Baker briefly worked as a taxi driver in [[Minehead]] during his first year as an acting graduate in 1969. His first professional role was in a three-week tour of ''Plaintiff in a Pretty Hat''. He then appeared in ''The Other House'' at the [[Mermaid Theatre]]. Baker's first television appearance as a professional actor was in two episodes of [[The Roads to Freedom (TV serial)|''The Roads to Freedom'']] (1970), an adaptation of [[Jean-Paul Sartre]]'s [[The Roads to Freedom|book series]]. The same year he appeared with [[Kate O'Mara]] in the [[science fiction]] [[comedy]] series [[The Adventures of Don Quick|''The Adventures of Don Quick'']].{{Sfn|Ainsworth|2015|p=91}} He played Count Steinbock in an adaptation of ''[[Cousin Bette]]'' the following year, opposite [[Margaret Tyzack]] and [[Helen Mirren]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Cousin Bette – Nostalgia Central |url=https://nostalgiacentral.com/television/tv-by-decade/tv-shows-1970s/cousin-bette/ |access-date=2025-11-13 |website=nostalgiacentral.com}}</ref>{{Sfn|Ainsworth|2015|p=91}}<ref>{{Cite web |last=Buchanan |first=Jason |title=Cousin Bette (1971) |url=http://movies.nytimes.com/movie/364412/Cousin-Bette/overview |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090917163929/http://movies.nytimes.com/movie/364412/Cousin-Bette/overview |archive-date=2009-09-17 |access-date=2025-11-13 |website=New York Times}}</ref> In 1972 he played [[Anatole Kuragin]] in the [[War and Peace (1972 TV series)|BBC's television adaptation]] of ''[[War and Peace]]''.{{Sfn|Ainsworth|2015|p=91}} In ''[[Fall of Eagles]]'' (1974){{Sfn|Ainsworth|2015|p=91}} he played [[Wilhelm, German Crown Prince|Crown Prince Wilhelm]] of the [[German Empire]].{{Citation needed|date=November 2025}}

In September 1974 he joined the fourth season of BBC drama series ''[[The Brothers (1972 TV series)|The Brothers]]'' as the ruthless banker Paul Merroney. The sarcastic and self-conceited character—Baker's most prominent role to date—was a figure audiences loved to hate.<ref name=":3">{{cite web |last=Hewett |first=Richard |title=Colin Baker biography |url=http://www.screenonline.org.uk/people/id/1393397/index.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101128022300/http://www.screenonline.org.uk/people/id/1393397/index.html |archive-date=28 November 2010 |access-date= |website=BFI Screenonline}}</ref>{{Sfn|Ainsworth|2015|p=|pp=91–92}} Baker recalled that the character was so disliked that he was occasionally accosted in public by viewers with their umbrellas.<ref name=":4">{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S4Q5LNYitWw |title=Colin Baker {{!}} Conversations with Jeff Weeks {{!}} WSRE |date=2019-03-05 |last= |time= |access-date=2025-11-13 |via=YouTube}}</ref>{{Sfn|Ainsworth|2015|p=|pp=91–92}} He also became an unlikely [[sex symbol]].{{Sfn|Ainsworth|2015|p=91}} Baker was typecast after ''The Brothers'' ended in late 1976. He returned to the theatre, acting in tours of ''Underground'', ''Trap'' ''for a Lonely Man'' and ''Stagestruck''. He played [[Macduff (Macbeth)|Macduff]] in a 1978 production of ''[[Macbeth]]'' at the Haymarket in [[Leicester]].{{Sfn|Ainsworth|2015|p=92}}

He gradually return to television, notably guest-starring as the villainous Bayban the Butcher in the 1980 ''[[Blake's 7]]'' episode "City at the Edge of the World".<ref>{{Cite web |date=5 October 2021 |title=Bayban returns to The Worlds of Blake’s 7! |url=https://www.bigfinish.com/news/v/bayban-returns-to-the-worlds-of-blake-s-7 |access-date=2025-11-13 |website=Big Finish}}</ref>{{Sfn|Ainsworth|2015|p=92}} He also had a regular role as James West in the [[Associated Television|ATV]] [[soap opera]] ''[[For Maddie with Love]]'' (1980). Other programmes in which Baker guest-starred include ''Dangerous Davies'' (1981), ''[[The Young Ones (TV series)|The Young Ones]]'' (1982), ''[[Juliet Bravo]]'' (1982), [[The Citadel (1983 TV series)|''The Citadel'']] (1983) and [[Swallows and Amazons Forever!|''Swallows and Amazons Forever'']] (1984).{{Sfn|Ainsworth|2015|p=92}}

=== ''Doctor Who'' (1984–1986) ===
Baker made his ''[[Doctor Who]]'' debut as the antagonistic [[Time Lord]] Commander Maxil in ''[[Arc of Infinity]]'' (1983), who notably shoots the [[Fifth Doctor]] ([[Peter Davison]]) in the cliffhanger to Part One.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Kennedy |first=Maev |date=2007-10-30 |title=People |url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2007/oct/30/uknews4.mainsection5 |access-date=2025-10-25 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}</ref><ref name="bbc.co.uk">{{cite web |date=2014-09-24 |title=Doctor Who Classic Episode Guide - Arc of Infinity - Details |url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/doctorwho/classic/episodeguide/arcinfinity/detail.shtml |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210308132901/http://www.bbc.co.uk/doctorwho/classic/episodeguide/arcinfinity/detail.shtml |archive-date=8 March 2021 |access-date=2019-09-10 |publisher=BBC}}</ref> Davison later joked that Baker was going after his job.<ref>{{cite video |title=Arc of Infinity |date=2007 |medium=DVD |publisher=[[BBC Worldwide]] |location=Commentary by Peter Davison, Janet Fielding, Sarah Sutton and Colin Baker}}</ref> Baker was unavailable to reprise the role in "[[The Five Doctors]]" (1983);{{Sfn|Ainsworth|2015|p=92}} during the filming of that episode, Davison informed producer [[John Nathan-Turner]] that he was leaving ''Doctor Who''.<ref name=":5">{{Cite journal |date=2018 |editor-last=Wright |editor-first=Mark |title=Resurrection of the Daleks, Planet of Fire and The Caves of Androzani |url= |journal=Doctor Who: The Complete History |publisher=[[Panini Comics]], [[Hachette Book Group|Hachette Partworks]] |issue=39 |pages=93–95 |issn=2057-6048 |quote=In March 1983, Davison informed Nathan-Turner that he would not be extending his contract...}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |last= |first= |date=2017 |editor-last=Ainsworth |editor-first=John |title=Terminus, Enlightenment, The King's Demons and the Five Doctors |journal=Doctor Who: The Complete History |publisher=[[Panini Comics]], [[Hachette Book Group|Hachette Partworks]] |issue=37 |pages=113 |issn=2057-6048 |quote=''The Five Doctors'' began shooting on 16mm film on Saturday 5 March...}}</ref> Nathan-Turner had initially chastised Baker for upstaging Davison with his "arch" performance (reminding him that the series was titled ''Doctor Who'', not ''Maxil''),<ref name=":4" /> but after encountering Baker entertaining guests at the wedding of a mutual friend, he remarked to his partner Gary Downie "I think I may have found my new Doctor". Baker was offered the part of the [[Sixth Doctor]] on 10 June.{{Sfn|Ainsworth|2015|pp=92–93}} Baker was a fan of the series since the 1960s, and had considered applying for the lead role when [[Fourth Doctor]] actor [[Tom Baker]] (no relation) left in 1980. He accepted a four-year contract{{Sfn|Pixley|1998|p=16}}<ref>{{Cite news |last=Smith |first=Neil |date=2017-07-16 |title=All the Doctors, from William Hartnell to Jodie Whittaker |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-40585673 |access-date=2025-10-26 |work=BBC |language=en-GB}}</ref> and his casting was announced on 19 August 1983.{{Sfn|Ainsworth|2015|p=93}}<ref name=":5" />

[[File:Colin Baker, Whovent 1986 2.jpg|thumb|Baker at Whovent in September 1986]]

The Sixth Doctor first appeared in the final moments of ''[[The Caves of Androzani]]'' (1984).{{Sfn|Ainsworth|2015|p=93}} Baker was keen to emphasise the Doctor's alien qualities and verbosity,{{Sfn|Pixley|1998|p=16}} and the intention was for his brash and arrogant incarnation—an intentional contrast to the more reserved Fifth Doctor—to mellow over time.<ref name=":3"/>{{Sfn|Pixley|1998|p=16}} However his first full story ''[[The Twin Dilemma]]'' (1983),{{sfn|Ainsworth|2015}} and Baker's portrayal of the Doctor, caused immediate controversy over one scene in which the Doctor attempts to strangle his companion, [[Peri Brown]]. According to ''[[PopMatters]]'', "Colin Baker's first appearance was just out-and-out dislikable, showcasing a hubris and harshness that was heretofore unseen in the Doctor's emotional canon."<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.popmatters.com/122276-doctor-who-the-twin-dilemma-2496179219.html | title= Doctor Who: The Twin Dilemma | work=[[PopMatters]] | first=Evan | last=Sawdey | date=23 March 2010 | access-date=27 July 2020}}</ref> Script editor [[Eric Saward]], who felt Baker was miscast,{{Sfn|Pixley|1998|p=16}} clashed with Nathan-Turner over the series tone.{{Citation needed|date=November 2025}} The BBC hoped Baker would stay on for longer than Davison's three years.{{Sfn|Pixley|1998|p=16}}<ref name=":5" /> 

Baker's era was interrupted by an 18-month [[Hiatus (television)|hiatus]] which was announced in February 1985, midway through transmission of [[Doctor Who (season 22)|Season 22]], his first full season. The Controller of [[BBC One|BBC1]]<!-- Current rendering dates from 1997. --> at the time, [[Michael Grade]], criticised ''Doctor Who'', saying that the programme had become overly violent in 1985. Grade later admitted that he "hated" the series, which he described as a "very clunky studio show".<ref>{{cite news | url= https://www.theguardian.com/media/2004/apr/03/broadcasting.politicsandthemedia3 | title= Amid the suits, a man who stands out | work=The Guardian | date=3 April 2004|access-date=7 May 2017|location=London, UK}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/mediamonkeyblog/2009/jan/05/doctor-who-michael-grade|title=Michael Grade delivers second opinion on Doctor Who: 'I was wrong'|work=The Guardian|date=5 January 2009|access-date=7 May 2017|location=London}}</ref> One new ''Doctor Who'' story, ''[[Slipback]]'', was produced for radio during the hiatus, which starred Baker and his regular television companion [[Nicola Bryant]].<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Sinkovich |first=Paul |last2=Scoones |first2=Paul |date=July 1987 |title=Slipback by Eric Saward |url=https://doctorwho.org.nz/archive/tsv1/slipback.html |journal=Time/Space Visualiser |issue=1 |access-date=25 October 2025}}</ref>{{Sfn|Ainsworth|2015|p=93}}

''Doctor Who'' returned to television for its [[Doctor Who (season 23)|23rd season]] in September 1986. The season featured a reduction in episodes, was made entirely on video for location scenes and was produced as a 14-episode-long serial called ''The Trial of a Time Lord''. This serial was a meta-textual reference to the fact that the series itself was "on trial" at this time.<ref>DVD Commentary: ''Trial of a Time Lord'', Discs 1–4 Region 1 Edition</ref> In 1986 Baker told an interviewer: "[[Tom Baker]] did it for seven years.&nbsp;... There's a part of me which likes to have a tilt at records. I would like to think that maybe I'd still be doing it in eight years' time."<ref>{{cite video
 | people     = David Woodward (Writer, producer, Director)
 | date       = 1986
 | title      = They All Axed<!--sic--> for Who
 | medium     = Television production
 | publisher  = [[WYES-TV|WYES]]
 | location   = [[New Orleans]]
 | time       = 0:05:30
}}</ref> Later that year the series was recommissioned, but Nathan-Turner was ordered to change the actor playing the Doctor. Although sources have attributed this decision to Grade, he denied this in 2022.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/doctorwho/classic/news/briefhistory/cbaker.shtml|title=Colin Baker|work=BBC Online|access-date=7 May 2017}}</ref><ref name=Conversation>{{cite AV media |date=2022 |title=''Doctor Who'': The Collection Season 22 |chapter=Michael Grade in Conversation |type=special feature |publisher=[[BBC Studios]]}}</ref> The BBC's Head of Series, [[Jonathan Powell (producer)|Jonathan Powell]], later said that the BBC was looking for "one last chance saloon, for an actor who would take off with the public."<ref>''Trials and Tribulations'' – documentary on Colin Baker's era of Doctor Who (2008 2entertain DVD release).</ref> Peter Davison argued in 2018 that the decision was more to do with the executives wanting to get rid of Nathan-Turner, saying: "I was upset about what happened, really – because, first of all, it wasn't to do with Colin, I know that. It was to do with other issues. The power structure in the BBC had changed and they didn't want John Nathan-Turner around is the truth of it."<ref>{{cite web | url= https://www.digitalspy.com/tv/a871595/peter-davison-doctor-who-exit-dodged-bullet/ | title= Doctor Who star Peter Davison thinks he 'dodged a bullet' by quitting when he did | work=[[Digital Spy]] | first=Cameron K. | last=McEwan | date=3 December 2018 | access-date=7 May 2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |title=I loved being Doctor Who even though they axed me, says Colin Baker - The Sunday Post |url=https://www.sundaypost.com/fp/i-loved-being-doctor-who-even-though-they-axed-me/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210516185832/https://www.sundaypost.com/fp/i-loved-being-doctor-who-even-though-they-axed-me/ |archive-date=2021-05-16 |access-date=2025-10-25 |work=The Sunday Post |language=en-US}}</ref>
[[File:6th doctor costume - Colin Baker (11030097875) (cropped).jpg|thumb|The [[Sixth Doctor]]'s costume]]
Baker was removed from the part after starring in only eleven stories and just short of three years in the series, including the hiatus, making his tenure as the Doctor the shortest at that point. After his sacking, Baker was offered a single four-part story that would end in his character's regeneration, but he refused the offer. In response, Baker offered to do the entirety of the following season and regenerate at its conclusion, but the BBC never responded to his letter. Instead, his replacement, [[Sylvester McCoy]], played the injured Sixth Doctor in a blonde wig as he regenerates in the opening minutes of ''[[Time and the Rani]]'', his face hidden by video effects as the regeneration process occurs.<ref name="cambridge-news.co.uk">{{cite news |date=5 July 2012 |title=Colin Baker: Time Gentleman |url=http://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/Colin-Baker-Time-Gentleman/story-22776002-detail/story.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150923221557/http://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/Colin-Baker-Time-Gentleman/story-22776002-detail/story.html |archive-date=23 September 2015 |access-date=5 May 2017 |newspaper=[[Cambridge News]]}}</ref> In an interview in 2019, Baker expressed regret for not returning for the scene, stating that he was "brutally selfish at the time" and that he was not thinking about the fans.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Jeffery |first1=Morgan |date=16 September 2019 |title=Colin Baker says he was "selfish" not to film Doctor Who regeneration scene: 'I forgot about the fans' |url=https://www.radiotimes.com/news/tv/2019-09-16/colin-baker-doctor-who-regeneration/ |access-date=8 October 2019 |website=Radio Times}}</ref>

On 4 September 2011 at [[Riverside Studios]], Hammersmith, London, Baker accepted the presidency of the [[Doctor Who Appreciation Society|''Doctor Who'' Appreciation Society]], which had previously been held by [[Jon Pertwee]] and [[Nicholas Courtney]]. He was elected following an online poll of the society's members where he won more votes than all the other candidates combined.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.dwasonline.co.uk/node/572 |title=Colin Baker – Honorary President! |work=DWAS Online |date=5 September 2011 |access-date=5 May 2017}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Cole |first=Tom |date=5 November 2012 |title=I’m a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here! 2012: Colin Baker |url=https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/entertainment/reality-tv/im-a-celebrity-get-me-out-of-here-2012-colin-baker/ |access-date=2025-10-25 |website=Radio Times |language=en-GB}}</ref>

==== Further appearances in ''Doctor Who'' media ====
From 5 June to 19 August 1989, Baker appeared as the Doctor in the stage play ''[[Doctor Who – The Ultimate Adventure]]'', taking over from original lead [[Jon Pertwee]] who had fallen ill.<ref name="terrestrial124">Lofficier, Jean-Marc: (1991). Doctor Who: The Terrestrial Index: [[Target Books]]. {{ISBN|0-426-20361-5}}, pp. 124–125.</ref>

In 1992, Baker became the first Doctor to write a published ''Doctor Who'' story, ''The Deal'', as part of ''[[Doctor Who Magazine]]''{{'}}s ''Brief Encounters'' series. He wrote a second ''Brief Encounter'' the following year. Both featured the Sixth Doctor and Mel. In 1994 Baker wrote a comic strip, ''The Age of Chaos'' featuring the Sixth Doctor and [[Frobisher (Doctor Who)|Frobisher]], and in 2001 contributed a story entitled "The Wings of A Butterfly" to a charity short story anthology based on Doctor Who, "Missing Pieces". He also presented special ''Doctor Who'' videotape releases ''Cybermen – The Early Years'' in 1992 and ''The Colin Baker Years'' in 1994, with the latter a look back at his tenure on the series highlighted by clips and his memories.

Baker reprised the role on television in the 1993 ''[[Children in Need]]'' charity special ''[[Dimensions in Time]]'' alongside Pertwee, [[Tom Baker]], Davison and McCoy.<ref>{{cite web |title=BBC - Doctor Who Classic Episode Guide - Dimensions in Time - Details |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b006q2x0 |url-status=deviated |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070312172455/https://www.bbc.co.uk/doctorwho/classic/episodeguide/dimensionstime/detail.shtml |archive-date=12 March 2007 |access-date=27 May 2023}}</ref> In 1997, he provided audio dialogue for the BBC video game ''[[Destiny of the Doctors|Doctor Who: Destiny of the Doctors]]''.<ref>{{Cite web |date=14 June 2012 |orig-date=2012-06-09 |title=Destiny of the Doctors - Doctor Who Guide |url=https://www.ign.com/wikis/doctor-who/Destiny_of_the_Doctors |archive-url=https://archive.li/TWamW |archive-date=10 November 2025 |access-date=2025-11-10 |website=IGN |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2018-10-27 |title=Doctor Who nostalgia: Looking back at Destiny of the Doctors (video game) |url=https://winteriscoming.net/2018/10/27/doctor-who-destiny-doctors/ |access-date=2025-11-10 |website=Winter is Coming |language=en-US}}</ref>

[[File:Peter Davison, Sylvester McCoy, Colin Baker (24 November 2013) (2).jpg|thumb|[[Peter Davison]], [[Sylvester McCoy]] and Baker at the ''Doctor Who'' 50th Anniversary Celebration Weekend in 2013]]

1999 saw Baker voice his first ''Doctor Who'' audio adventure for [[Big Finish Productions]], ''[[The Sirens of Time]]''.<ref>{{Cite web |date=8 June 2024 |title=The Sirens of Time revisited |url=https://www.bigfinish.com/news/v/the-sirens-of-time-revisited |access-date=2025-10-26 |website=Big Finish}}</ref> As of {{year}}, Baker has appeared as the Sixth Doctor in 166 releases, with more planned for the future. These audio plays are generally well received by fans and in a poll conducted by ''Doctor Who Magazine'', Baker was voted the "greatest" of the Doctors in this format. He also reprised the role of Commander Maxil in the ''Gallifrey'' audio series story "Appropriation" in 2006; in 2022, he played alternate versions of the [[Fifth Doctor]] (known as the Doctor of War) in the ''[[Doctor Who Unbound]]'' series and [[The Day of the Doctor|the Curator]] in ''[[Doctor Who: The Eighth Doctor Adventures|The Eighth Doctor Adventures]]''.

In recent years, Baker has appeared on a number of DVD releases of his episodes, featuring in either "making-of" documentaries or commentaries. The documentary ''Trials and Tribulations'', included in the 2008 DVD release of ''[[The Trial of a Time Lord]]'' examines his turbulent three years on the show.

Baker co-starred in the comedy short film ''[[The Five(ish) Doctors Reboot]]'' (2013), where he played a fictionalised version of himself who assists Davison and McCoy in sneaking into the production of the 50th anniversary special ''[[The Day of the Doctor]]''.<ref>{{cite web |last=Jeffery |first=Morgan |date=26 November 2013 |title='Doctor Who': The inside story on 'The Five(ish) Doctors Reboot' |url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/tv/s7/doctor-who/tubetalk/a533941/doctor-who-the-inside-story-on-the-fiveish-doctors-reboot.html |access-date=26 November 2013 |publisher=Digital Spy}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Laverde |first=Jake |date=2020-07-31 |title=Doctor Who Star Hints at Anniversary Spoof Five(ish) Doctors Sequel |url=https://gamerant.com/colin-baker-tom-baker-doctor-who/ |access-date=2025-10-26 |website=Game Rant |language=en}}</ref> In the 2022 special "[[The Power of the Doctor]]", Baker returned for a cameo appearance alongside Davison, McCoy and [[Paul McGann]] as a manifestation of the [[Thirteenth Doctor]]’s subconscious.<ref>{{cite web |last=Jeffery |first=Morgan |date=23 October 2022 |title=Doctor Who brings back classic Doctors for centenary special |url=https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/sci-fi/doctor-who-classic-doctors-centenary-newsupdate/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221027220404/https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/sci-fi/doctor-who-classic-doctors-centenary-newsupdate/ |archive-date=27 October 2022 |accessdate=9 September 2024 |work=[[Radio Times]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Andrew |first=Jamie |date=2020-07-28 |title=Colin Baker on the Spiritualism of Doctor Who |url=https://www.denofgeek.com/tv/colin-baker-on-the-spiritualism-of-doctor-who/ |access-date=2025-11-03 |website=Den of Geek |language=en-US}}</ref> Baker reprised his role as the Doctor in ''[[Tales of the TARDIS]]'' to mark Doctor Who's 60th anniversary.<ref>{{cite web |date=30 October 2023 |title=Doctor Who: Welcome to The Whoniverse where every Doctor, every companion and hundreds of terrifying monsters live |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/2023/doctor-who-the-whoniverse-tales-of-the-tardis |website=BBC Media Centre |publisher=BBC}}</ref> Since 2023, Baker hosts the Big Finish-produced podcast ''Into the TARDIS'', presenting the various audio stories broadcast in the series.<ref>{{Cite web |date=17 February 2024 |title=Big Finish launches Doctor Who audio drama podcast |url=https://www.bigfinish.com/news/v/big-finish-launches-doctor-who-audio-drama-podcast |access-date=2025-11-02 |website=Big Finish}}</ref>

===After ''Doctor Who''===
Since leaving ''Doctor Who'' Baker has spent much of his time on the stage with appearances throughout the country in plays as diverse as [[Peter Nichols (playwright)|Peter Nichols]]' ''[[Privates on Parade]]'', Ira Levin's ''[[Deathtrap (play)|''Deathtrap'']]'', [[Ray Cooney]]'s ''[[Run for Your Wife (play)|Run for Your Wife]]'' and [[Ariel Dorfman]]'s ''[[Death and the Maiden (play)|Death and the Maiden]]''. For many years he has been a [[pantomime]] stalwart. In 2000 he appeared in ''[[Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (musical)|Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs]]'' alongside actress [[Louise Jameson]] who had previously played the [[Fourth Doctor]]'s companion [[Leela (Doctor Who)|Leela]]. In 2003 he starred in the [[Carl Rosa Opera Company]]'s production of [[operetta]] ''[[H.M.S. Pinafore]]'', directed by [[Timothy West]]. In 2008, he toured with ex-wife [[Liza Goddard]] in ''[[She Stoops To Conquer]]''. Other theatre appearances have seen Baker tackle the role of [[Inspector Morse]] in ''House of Ghosts''<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.whatsonstage.com/news/theatre/london/E8831273054191/Inspector+Morse+Has+Stage+Debut+with+Colin+Baker.html |title=Inspector Morse Has Stage Debut with Colin Baker |work=What's On Stage |date=5 May 2010 |access-date=28 July 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121013175030/http://www.whatsonstage.com/news/theatre/london/E8831273054191/Inspector%2BMorse%2BHas%2BStage%2BDebut%2Bwith%2BColin%2BBaker.html |archive-date=13 October 2012 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all }}</ref> and a UK tour of ''[[The Woman in White (musical)|The Woman in White]]''.

In 1991, Baker played a Doctor-like character in the [[Bill & Ben Video|BBV]] video series ''[[The Stranger (video series)|The Stranger]]''. This character appeared in six video adventures as well four audio stories. Another standalone BBV drama entitled ''[[The Airzone Solution]]'' appeared in 1993 and featured former ''Doctor Who'' actors Jon Pertwee, Peter Davison and Sylvester McCoy.
[[File:Colin Baker.JPG|thumb|Baker in 2007]]
Television work through the 1990s included guest appearances in the BBC's medical drama ''[[Casualty (TV series)|Casualty]]'', ''[[The Knock]]'', ''[[Dangerfield (TV series)|Dangerfield]]'', the first episode of ''[[Jonathan Creek]]'', [[Channel 4]]'s adaptation of ''[[A Dance to the Music of Time]]'' and as himself as the resident celebrity in 'Dictionary Corner' on the daytime quiz show ''[[Countdown (game show)|Countdown]]'', also on Channel 4.

In 2003, Baker appeared on ''[[Top Gear (2002 TV series)|Top Gear]]'', participating on a one-lap run on the Top Gear track in a Honda Civic hatchback. Baker competed against a [[Klingon]], a [[Cyberman]], a [[Dalek]], [[Darth Vader]] and [[Ming the Merciless]]. Baker came in 4th position, with the Cyberman coming 1st.

A 2005 guest appearance in comedy sketch show ''[[Little Britain (TV series)|Little Britain]]'' was never transmitted but can be seen in the deleted scenes special feature on the ''Little Britain'' series 3 DVD. Other television appearances have seen Baker appear in ''[[Kingdom (British TV series)|Kingdom]]'', ''[[Hustle (TV series)|Hustle]]'' and ''[[Doctors (2000 TV series)|Doctors]]''.

Away from his ''Doctor Who'' work for Big Finish Productions (see above), Baker appeared in the audio dramas ''[[The Mystery of the Missing Hour|Sapphire and Steel: The Mystery of the Missing Hour]]'' and the 3 part ''[[Earthsearch Mindwarp]]''. The latter, based on a [[James Follett]] novel, was broadcast on the [[digital radio]] station [[BBC 7]] in 2006.

In 2010, Baker narrated and provided additional voices for the audiobook version of the sci-fi/comedy novel, ''Kangazang! Remote Possibilities''. Written by Terry Cooper, and published by Candy Jar Books.

Baker's film work over the years includes ''[[The Harpist (film)|The Harpist]]'' (1999), ''[[The Asylum (film)|The Asylum]]'' (2000)<ref name="denofgeek.com">{{cite web |url=http://www.denofgeek.com/tv/doctor-who/30136/doctor-who-film-careers-of-peter-davison-colin-baker-sylvester-mccoy |title=Dr Who: Films of Peter Davison, Colin Baker, Sylvester McCoy |first=Alex |last=Westthorp |date=16 April 2014 |website=Den of Geek |access-date=5 May 2017}}</ref> and ''D'Artagnan et les trois mousquetaires'' (2005).<ref name="denofgeek.com" /> 
Since 1995 Baker has written a regular weekly column for local newspaper ''[[Bucks Free Press]]''. A compilation of his articles from 1995 to 2009 were published in the book, ''Look Who's Talking''.

Baker participated in the 2012 series of ''[[I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here! (British TV series)|I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here!]]'', finishing in 8th place.<ref name=":0" />{{Sfn|Ainsworth|2015|p=95}}

Baker played [[Sherlock Holmes]] in a 2022 stage adaptation of ''[[The Hound of the Baskervilles]]''<ref>{{Cite news |last=Higton |first=Rich |date=18 October 2022 |title=Colin Baker Chats Doctor Who, Nadine Dorries and Bringing Sherlock Holmes to Mansfield |url=https://leftlion.co.uk/features/2022/10/colin-baker-interview/ |access-date=25 October 2025 |work=LeftLion}}</ref> and a 2025 radio adaptation of ''[[The Sign of the Four|The Sign]]'' ''[[The Sign of the Four|of the Four]]''.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Penn |first=Louise |date=2025-08-13 |title=From the Doctor to the Detective - a chat with Colin Baker |url=https://loureviews.blog/2025/08/13/from-the-doctor-to-the-detective-a-chat-with-colin-baker/ |access-date=2025-10-25 |website=LouReviews |language=en-US}}</ref>

==Personal life==
In July 1976, Baker married actress [[Liza Goddard]], who played his on-screen wife in ''The Brothers''. They divorced 18 months later.{{Sfn|Ainsworth|2015|p=92}}<ref name=":1">{{cite news |last=Walne |first=Toby |date=1 April 2013 |title=Actress Liza Goddard: 'Money is made to be spent' |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/personalfinance/fameandfortune/9960062/Actress-Liza-Goddard-Money-is-made-to-be-spent.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130403075700/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/personalfinance/fameandfortune/9960062/Actress-Liza-Goddard-Money-is-made-to-be-spent.html |archive-date=3 April 2013 |newspaper=[[The Daily Telegraph]]}}</ref>{{efn|An article from ''The Northern Echo'' on 7 May 1977 references Baker and Goddard having a 1-year-old son.<ref>{{cite web |date=7 May 1977 |title=Doing it their way |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-northern-echo-3-am-ed-colin-baker/173263728/ |access-date=27 May 2025 |work=The Northern Echo}}</ref> This son was Goddard's from a previous relationship.{{Sfn|Ainsworth|2015|p=92}}<ref name=":1" />}}

Baker married actress Marion Wyatt in 1982. They have four daughters.<ref>{{cite web |date=24 September 2014 |title=Colin's Major role |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/threecounties/theatre/2002/12/colin_baker.shtml |access-date=4 December 2015 |work=[[BBC Three Counties Radio]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Baker |first=Colin |date=November 2025 |title=Back in Time with Colin Baker |url=https://gb.readly.com/magazines/best-of-british/2025-10-28/68f1f78d9a4ea1890467f37c |access-date=12 November 2025 |magazine=Best of British}}</ref> Baker and Wyatt had a son who died of [[sudden infant death syndrome]] in 1983. In 1996, Baker became the Chairman of the Foundation for the Study of Infant Deaths.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Baker |first=Colin |date=31 January 2003 |title=Look Who's Talking: Can't it just all be a coincidence? |url=https://www.bucksfreepress.co.uk/news/272356.look-whos-talking-cant-it-just-all-be-a-coincidence/ |access-date=2025-10-25 |website=Bucks Free Press |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |date=2 February 2000 |title=Visits 'would help prevent deaths' |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/628670.stm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250221111636/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/628670.stm |archive-date=21 February 2025 |work=BBC News}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Baker |first=Colin |date=1996-11-11 |title=The Day That Changed My Life |url=https://cuttingsarchive.org/images/7/75/1996-11-11_Daily_Mail.jpg |work=Daily Mail}}</ref>

Baker is a friend of American writer [[Stephen R. Donaldson]], who dedicated his 1991 novel ''[[Forbidden Knowledge]]'' to him.<ref>{{cite web |last=Donaldson |first=Stephen R. |author-link=Stephen R. Donaldson |date=August 2004 |title=Gradual Interview |url=http://www.stephenrdonaldson.net/fromtheauthor/gi_view.php?Year=2004&Month=08&NewWindow=yes&Filter=&all=&any=&none= |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160312232701/http://www.stephenrdonaldson.net/fromtheauthor/gi_view.php?Year=2004&Month=08&NewWindow=yes&Filter=&all=&any=&none= |archive-date=12 March 2016 |access-date=29 January 2014 |work=stephendonaldson.net}}</ref>

Baker is a critic of [[fox hunting]] and was among more than 20 high-profile people who signed a letter to members of parliament in 2015 to oppose [[Conservative Party (UK)|Conservative]] prime minister [[David Cameron]]'s plan to amend the [[Hunting Act 2004]].<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.stv.tv/scotland-decides/news/1324609-snp-to-vote-against-tories-on-fox-hunting-ban-in-england-and-wales/ |title=SNP to vote against Tories on fox hunting ban in England and Wales |work=STV |date=13 July 2015 |access-date=17 July 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150715203740/http://news.stv.tv/scotland-decides/news/1324609-snp-to-vote-against-tories-on-fox-hunting-ban-in-england-and-wales/ |archive-date=15 July 2015 |df=dmy }}</ref>

==Filmography==
[[File:Colin Baker January 2015.jpg|thumb|Baker at the 2015 Magic City Comic Con]]
===Film===
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! Year
! Title
! Role
! Notes
|-
|1981||''[[Dangerous Davies|Dangerous Davies: The Last Detective]]''|| William Lind ||
|-
|1991 || ''[[The Stranger (video series)|Summoned By Shadows]]'' || rowspan=3| The Stranger ||
|-
|1992 || ''[[The Stranger (video series)|More Than A Messiah]]'' ||  
|-
|rowspan=2|1993 || ''[[The Stranger (video series)|In Memory Alone]]'' || 
|-
|| ''{{sortname|The|Airzone Solution}}'' || Arnold Davies ||
|-
|rowspan=3|1994 || ''{{sortname|The|Terror Game|The Stranger (video series)}}'' || The Stranger ||
|-
|| ''{{sortname|The|Zero Imperative|P.R.O.B.E.#The Zero Imperative (1994)}}'' || Peter Russell ||
|-
|| ''[[The Stranger (video series)|Breach of the Peace]]'' ||rowspan=2|The Stranger||
|-
|1995 || ''[[The Stranger (video series)|Eye of the Beholder]]'' ||
|-
|rowspan=2|1999 || ''{{sortname|The|Harpist|dab=film}}''|| Father Rupitsch ||
|-
|| ''[[Doctor Who spin-offs|Soul's Ark]]'' || Galico ||
|-
|2000 || ''{{sortname|The|Asylum|dab=film}}''|| Arbuthnot ||
|-
|2014 || ''Shadows of a Stranger''|| William Fallon ||
|-
|rowspan=2|2015 || ''{{sortname|A|Dozen Summers}}''|| The Narrator ||
|-
|''{{sortname|A|Christmas Carol|Adaptations of A Christmas Carol#Live-action films}}'' || [[Charles Dickens]] ||
|-
|2017 || ''Arrows of Time''|| Narrator || 
|-
|rowspan=3|2021 || ''Hiraeth'' || Wynn Seaward || 
|-
|| ''You Might Get Lost'' || Conrad || 
|-
|| ''The Ghosts of Borley Rectory'' || Charles Sutton || 
|-
|2022 || ''Minacious'' || DS Rawlins ||
|-
|rowspan=2| 2023 || ''[[Secrets of a Wallaby Boy]]''|| Bruce ||
|-
|| ''Christmas at the Holly Day Inn''|| Ben Holly ||
|-
| TBA || ''Bug-Eyed Monsters Conquer the Universe!''|| Sous Chef ||
|}

===Television===
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! Year
! Title
! Role
! Notes
|-
|rowspan=4|1970||''{{sortname|The|Adventures of Don Quick}}''||Rebel||Episode: "People Isn't Everything"
|-
|''Happy Ever After''||Receptionist||Episode: "The Ambassador"
|-
|''[[No – That's Me Over Here!]]''||Uncredited||2 episodes
|-
|''Roads to Freedom''||Claude||3 episodes
|-
|rowspan=5|1971||''{{sortname|The|Mind of Mr. J.G. Reeder}}''||Reigate||Episode: "The Shadow Man
|-
|''[[Public Eye (TV series)|Public Eye]]''||Town Hall Clerk||Episode: "The Man Who Didn't Eat Sweets"
|-
|''[[Cousin Bette]]''||Count Wenceslas Steinbock||5 episodes
|-
|''{{sortname|The|Silver Sword}}''||German Lieutenant||Episode: #1.3 
|-
|''[[Now Look Here]]''||Uncredited||Episode: #1.4
|-
|rowspan=4|1972||''[[War and Peace (1972 TV series)|War & Peace]]''||[[Anatole Kuragin]]||4 episodes
|-]]
|''{{sortname|The|Moonstone |dab=1972 TV series}}''||John Herncastle||Episode: #1.1
|-
|''{{sortname|The|Man Outside|nolink=y}}''||Glover||Episode: "Murder Story"
|-
|''[[Villains (TV series)|Villains]]''||Reporter||Episode: "His Dad Named Him After the General"
|-
|rowspan=3|1973||''{{sortname|The|Edwardians|nolink=y}}''||[[Joseph Laycock]]||Episode: "Daisy"
|-
|''[[Harriet's Back in Town]]''||Mike Baker||2 episodes
|-
|''[[Orson Welles Great Mysteries]]''||George Barclay||Episode: "A Terribly Strange Bed"
|-
|rowspan=3|1974||''Within These Walls''||David Jenkins||Episode: "Prisoner by Marriage"
|-
|''{{sortname|The|Carnforth Practice|nolink=y}}''||Bob Anderson||Episode: "Undue Influence"
|-
|''[[Fall of Eagles]]''||[[Wilhelm, German Crown Prince|Crown Prince Willie]]||2 episodes
|-
|1974–1976||''{{sortname|The|Brothers |dab=1972 TV series}}''||Paul Merroney||46 episodes
|-
|1979||''Doctors and Nurses''||Mr. Bennett||Episode: Mums and Dads 
|-
|rowspan=2|1980||''[[Blakes 7]]''||Bayban||Episode: "[[List of Blake's 7 episodes#City at the Edge of the World|City at the Edge of the World]]"
|-
|''[[For Maddie with Love]]''||Uncredited||
|-
|1982||''[[Juliet Bravo]]''||Frankie Miller||Episode: "[[Juliet Bravo#The Intruder|The Intruder]]"
|-
|rowspan=2|1983||''{{sortname|The|Citadel |dab=1983 TV series}}''||Mr. Vaughan||Episode: "Part 4"
|-
|''[[Doctor Who]]''||Commander Maxil||Serial: ''[[Arc of Infinity]]''- 3 episodes
|-
|rowspan=2|1984||''[[Swallows and Amazons Forever!|Swallows and Amazons Forever!: Coot Club]]''||rowspan=2|Dr. Dudgeon|| rowspan="2" |TV film
|-
|''[[Swallows and Amazons Forever!|Swallows and Amazons Forever!: The Big Six]]''
|-
|1984–1986, 1993, 2022||''[[Doctor Who]]''||rowspan=3|[[Sixth Doctor]]||34 episodes
|-
|1985||''[[Jim'll Fix It]]''||Episode: "[[A Fix with Sontarans]]"
|-
|1986||''[[Roland Rat|Roland Rat: The Series]]''||Episode: #1.3
|-
|1989||''[[Casualty (TV series)|Casualty]]''||Colin Miles||Episode: "[[Casualty (series 4)#ep42|Accidents Happen]]"
|-
|1993||''{{sortname|The|Young Indiana Jones Chronicles}}''||[[Harry Chauvel|Harry George Chauvel]]||Episode: "Palestine, October 1917"
|-
|1995||''[[Harry's Mad]]''||Mr. Perkins||Episode: "Meaty Chunks"
|-
|rowspan=5|1997||''{{sortname|The|Famous Five |dab=1995 TV series}}''||Fake Mr. Brent||2 episodes
|-
|''[[Jonathan Creek]]''||Hedley Shale|| Episode: "The Wrestler's Tomb"
|-
|''{{sortname|The|Knock}}''||Donald Dewhurst / Desmond Dewhurst||4 episodes
|-
|''{{sortname|A|Dance to the Music of Time|dab=TV series}}''||Canon Fenneau||Episode: "Post War"
|-
|''{{sortname|The|Bill}}''||William Guthrie||Episode: "Going Down"
|-
|1998||''[[Casualty (TV series)|Casualty]]''||David Vincent||Episode: "[[Casualty (series 12)#ep218|An Eye for an Eye]]"
|-
|rowspan=3|1999||''[[Sunburn (TV series)|Sunburn]]''||John Buchanan||Episode: #1.2
|-
|''{{sortname|The|Waiting Time|nolink=y}}''||Giles Fleming||TV film
|-
|''[[Dangerfield (TV series)|Dangerfield]]''||Vicar||Episode: "[[Dangerfield (TV series)#Haunted|Haunted]]"
|-
|rowspan=2|2000||''[[Hollyoaks]]''||The Judge||Episode: #1.524 
|-
|''[[Time Gentlemen Please]]''||Professor Baker||Episode: "Day of the Trivheads"
|-
|2001||''[[Doctors (2000 TV series)|Doctors]]''||Jack Howard||Episode: "Matters of Principle"
|-
|rowspan=2|2004||''{{sortname|The|Impressionable Jon Culshaw}}''||Mr. Allen||Episode: #1.2
|-
|''{{sortname|The|4 Musketeers|nolink=y}}'' || Rutaford || 2 episodes
|-
|2005 || ''[[Little Britain (TV series)|Little Britain]]'' || Man in Regatta Tent || Deleted scene
|-
|rowspan=2|2006||''{{sortname|The|Afternoon Play}}''||Judge||Episode: "[[The Afternoon Play#Your Mother Should Know|Your Mother Should Know]]"
|-
|''[[Doctors (2000 TV series)|Doctors]]''||Charles Dillon||Episode: "Honourable Gentlemen"
|-
|rowspan=2|2009||''[[Kingdom (British TV series)|Kingdom]]''|| Mr. Dodds ||Episode: #3.2
|-
|''[[Doctors (2000 TV series)|Doctors]]''|| Professor Claybourne Jarvis ||Episode: "The Romantics"
|-
|2010||''[[Hustle (TV series)|Hustle]]'' || Phil ||Episode: "[[List of Hustle episodes#Tiger Troubles|Tiger Troubles]]"
|-
|2011||''[[Doctors (2000 TV series)|Doctors]]''|| Augustus Bloom ||Episode: "Every Heart That Beats"
|-
|2013||''{{sortname|The|Five(ish) Doctors Reboot}}''|| Colin Baker ||TV film
|-
|2014||''[[Comedy Feeds]]''|| Colin Baker ||Episode: "The Committee Meeting"
|-
|2015||''[[Star Trek Continues]]''|| Minister Amphidamas ||Episode: "[[The White Iris]]"
|-
|2021||''[[Emmerdale]]'' || Michael ||Episode: #1.9156
|-
|2023||''[[Tales of the TARDIS]]''|| Sixth Doctor ||Episode: "Vengeance on Varos"
|}

===Stage===
{| class="wikitable plain sortable"
|-
! scope="col" | Year
! scope="col" | Title
! scope="col" | Role
! scope="col" class="unsortable" | Notes
|-
|1971
|[[Caesar and Cleopatra (play)|''Caesar and Cleopatra'']]
|Porter 1
|Chichester Festival Theatre Company
|-
| rowspan="2" |1972
|[[Conduct Unbecoming (play)|''Conduct Unbecoming'']]
|2nd Lt. Arthur Drake
| rowspan="2" |[[Liverpool Playhouse]]
|-
|''[[Vivat! Vivat Regina!]]''
|Darnley
|-
|1973
|''[[Hamlet]]''
|[[Laertes (Hamlet)|Laertes]]
|[[Theatre Royal, Windsor]]
|-
|1975
|''September Tide''
|Evan Davies
|The Forum Theatre Billingham and other locations.
|-

|1977
|''Let’s Do It Your Way''
|Unknown
|The Playhouse, Weston-super-Mare, Harrogate Theatre, and other locations.
|-
| rowspan="2" |1978
|''Trap for a Lonely Man''
|The Man
|[[York Theatre Royal|Theatre Royal, York]], [[New Theatre Royal Lincoln|Theatre Royal, Lincoln]], and other locations.
|-
|''The Flip Side''
|Theo
|Ashcroft Theatre, Croydon, Yvonne Arnaud Theatre, Guildford, and other locations.
|-
|1981
|''[[The Norman Conquests]]''
|Norman
|Windsor Theatre Company
|-
|1982
|''[[Relatively Speaking (Ayckbourn play)|Relatively Speaking]]''
|Bill Kenwright
|Ashcroft Theatre, Croydon, Richmond Theatre, and other locations.
|-
|1987
|''Corpse!''
|
|[[Strand Theatre, London]]
|-
|1988
|[[Deathtrap (play)|''Deathtrap'']]
|Sidney Bruhl
|[[Theatre Royal, Bath]], Theatre Royal, Winchester, and other locations.
|-
|1989
|''[[Doctor Who: The Ultimate Adventure]]''
|[[Sixth Doctor]]
|[[Grand Theatre, Leeds]]
|-
| rowspan="2" |1990
|[[Spider's Web (play)|''Spider's Web'']]
|Inspector Lord
|Theatre Royal, Bath, Theatre Royal, Windsor, and other locations.
|-
|''[[Born in the Gardens]]'' 
|Mo
|[[Redgrave Theatre, Farnham]]
|-
|1991
|''Time and Time Again''
|Leonard
|Theatre Royal, Bath
|-
|2000
|''[[Out of Order (play)|Out of Order]]''
|The Manager
|Theatre Royal, Bath, [[Theatre Royal, Nottingham]], and other locations.
|-
|2004
|''The Haunted Hotel''
|Sir Francis Westwick 
|Mercury Theatre, Colchester, Arts Centre, Darlington, and other locations.
|-
|2007-8
|''[[She Stoops to Conquer]]''
|Mr Hardcastle
|Richmond Theatre, Birmingham Repertory Theatre, and other locations.
|-
|2009-10
|''[[Jack and the Beanstalk]]''
|
|Festival Theatre, Malvern
|-
|2010
|''House of Ghosts''
|[[Inspector Morse|Morse]]
|Devonshire Park Theatre, Eastbourne, Gordon Craig Theatre, Stevenage, and other locations.
|-
|2022 || ''[[The Hound of the Baskervilles]]'' || [[Sherlock Holmes]]|| rowspan="2" | Crime and Comedy Theatre Company
|-
|2023 || ''[[A Christmas Carol]]'' || [[Ebenezer Scrooge]]
|}

=== Audio drama ===
{| class="wikitable sortable"
!Year
!Title
!Role
!Notes
|-
|1985
|''[[Slipback|Doctor Who: Slipback]]''
|rowspan="2"|[[Sixth Doctor]]
|6 stories
|-
|1999–2021
|''[[Doctor Who: The Monthly Adventures]]''
|170 episodes
|-
|2006
|''[[List of Doctor Who spin off audio plays by Big Finish#Gallifrey (2004–present)|Gallifrey]]''
|Commander Maxil
|Episode: "Appropriation" (uncredited)
|-
|2009–present
|''[[Doctor Who: The Lost Stories]]''
|rowspan="5"|Sixth Doctor
|13 episodes
|-
|2011–2018
|''[[Jago & Litefoot]]''
|8 episodes
|-
|2015–present
|''[[Doctor Who: The Sixth Doctor Adventures|The Sixth Doctor Adventures]]''
|28 episodes
|-
|2016–present
|''[[Doctor Who: Classic Doctors, New Monsters|Classic Doctors, New Monsters]]''
|4 episodes
|-
|2016
|''[[The Diary of River Song]]''
|2 episodes
|-
|rowspan="2" |2021
|''Avalon''
|rowspan=2|Bayban
|Volume Two
|-
|''Bayban the Butcher''
|
|-
|}

===Video games===
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! Year
! Title
! Role
! Notes
|-
|1997||''[[Destiny of the Doctors]]'' || rowspan="2" | [[Sixth Doctor]] ||<ref>{{Cite web |date=14 June 2012 |orig-date=2012-06-09 |title=Destiny of the Doctors - Doctor Who Guide |url=https://www.ign.com/wikis/doctor-who/Destiny_of_the_Doctors |archive-url=https://archive.li/TWamW |archive-date=10 November 2025 |access-date=2025-11-10 |website=IGN |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2018-10-27 |title=Doctor Who nostalgia: Looking back at Destiny of the Doctors (video game) |url=https://winteriscoming.net/2018/10/27/doctor-who-destiny-doctors/ |access-date=2025-11-10 |website=Winter is Coming |language=en-US}}</ref>
|-
|2015||''[[Lego Dimensions]]''||Archive sound
|-
|2024
|''[[Fallout: London]]''<ref>{{Citation |title=Fallout London - Official Gameplay Trailer | date=18 May 2022 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mqCb5iQqr6s |access-date=2024-02-03 |language=en}}. Event occurs at 3:33.</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=McNulty |first=Thomas |date=2022-05-19 |title=Fallout: London Mod Boasts Doctor Who Voice Talent |url=https://screenrant.com/fallout-4-london-mod-doctor-who-baker-mccoy/ |access-date=2024-02-03 |website=ScreenRant |language=en}}</ref>
|Mysterious Scientist 2
|Guest role
|}

===Web===

{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! Year
! Title
! Role
!Notes
! class="unsortable" | {{Tooltip|Ref.|Reference}}
|-
|2020||''The Doctors Say Thank You''|| Himself|| ||
|}

==Bibliography==
*''Look Who's Talking'' (Hirst Books), First Published December 2009. First reprint February 2010 {{ISBN|978-0-9557149-2-4}}
*''Second Thoughts'' (Hirst Books), First Published September 2010 {{ISBN|978-0-9566417-6-2}}
*''Gallimaufry: A Collection of Short Stories''. First Published 30 September 2011. {{ISBN|1-907959-02-5}}.
*''Sixth Sense – from the columns of the Bucks Free Press''. FBS Publishing Ltd. 6 April 2017. {{ISBN|978-0993204371}}

===Comics===
* ''Doctor Who: The Age of Chaos'' (1994, Marvel UK)

===Short stories===
* "A Wee Deoch an ...?" (1991, in ''Doctor Who Magazine Winter Special of 1991'')
* "The Deal" (1991, in ''Doctor Who Yearbook 1992'')
* "A Tourist Invasion" (1992, in ''Doctor Who Yearbook 1993'')
* "The Wings of a Butterfly" (2010, in ''[[Short Trips – Volume 1]]'')
* "Interstitial Insecurity" (2019, in ''The Target Storybook'')

==References==
===Notes===
{{notelist}}
=== Citations ===
{{reflist|30em}}

=== Sources ===

* {{Cite journal |date=2015 |editor-last=Ainsworth |editor-first=John |title=The Twin Dilemma, Attack of the Cybermen and Vengeance on Varos |url=https://archive.org/details/Doctor-Who-Complete-History/CH40%20The%20Twin%20Dilemna%20-%20Attack%20of%20the%20Cybermen%20-%20Vengeance%20on%20Varos/ |journal=Doctor Who: The Complete History |publisher=[[Panini Comics]], [[Hachette Book Group|Hachette Partworks]] |issue=40 |issn=2057-6048}}
* {{Cite interview |last=Baker |first=Colin |interviewer=[[Nicholas Briggs]] |title=This is Colin Baker |url=https://www.bigfinish.com/releases/v/this-is-colin-baker-1333 |date=2015}}
* {{Cite book |last=Hollis |first=Karen Louise |url=https://www.google.com.au/books/edition/Un_Conventional_13_Years_of_Meeting_the/4QhmAwAAQBAJ?hl=en |title=Un-Conventional - 13 Years of Meeting the Stars of Doctor Who |date=August 2011 |publisher=Lulu.com |isbn=978-1-4478-0680-6 |language=en |orig-date=September 2010}}
* {{Cite magazine |last=Pixley |first=Andrew |date=21 October 1998 |title=The DWM Archive: The Twin Dilemma |url=https://archive.org/details/doctor-who-magazine-200-299/Doctor%20Who%20Magazine%20%23270/page/n11/mode/2up |magazine=[[Doctor Who Magazine]] |pages=14–22 |issue=270}}

==External links==
* {{official website|http://www.colinbakeronline.com/}}
* {{IMDb name|0048346}}
* {{Screenonline name|1393397|Colin Baker}}
* [http://www.bucksfreepress.co.uk/search/authors.var.26.0.0.php Archive of columns by Baker at the ''Bucks Free Press''] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060314051734/http://www.bucksfreepress.co.uk/search/authors.var.26.0.0.php |date=14 March 2006 }}
* [http://www.thisislocallondon.co.uk/indepth/colinbakercolumn/ Another archive of columns by Baker]
* [http://www.unofficialhammerfilms.com/interviews/cb.html Interview with Colin Baker on Dracula and acting for theatre]
* [https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2007/oct/30/uknews4.mainsection5 Article in the Guardian 30 October 2007]

{{s-start}}
{{succession box
| before = [[Peter Davison]]
| title = ''[[Doctor Who]]'' leading actor
| years = 1984–1986
| after = [[Sylvester McCoy]]
}}
{{s-end}}

{{Subject bar |portal1=Biography |portal2=Television |commons=y }}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Baker, Colin}}
[[Category:1943 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:20th-century English male actors]]
[[Category:21st-century English male actors]]
[[Category:Alumni of the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art]]
[[Category:English male film actors]]
[[Category:English male radio actors]]
[[Category:English male soap opera actors]]
[[Category:English male stage actors]]
[[Category:English male television actors]]
[[Category:Male actors from London]]
[[Category:Male actors from Rochdale]]
[[Category:People educated at St Bede's College, Manchester]]