Spandrell

Spandrell
Species:	Time Lord
Job:	Castellan
Affiliated with:	Chancellery Guard
Place of origin:	Gallifrey
First appearance:	The Deadly Assassin
Appearances:	see list
Main actor:	George Pravda

Spandrell was Castellan of the Chancellery Guard on Gallifrey for many years. He was succeeded by Kelner.

Biography

Like all Time Lords, Spandrell was taken from his family at the age of eight for the selection process in the Drylands. Staring into the Untempered Schism as part of a Time Lord initiation rite, Spandrell was inspired by what he saw in the Schism. (PROSE: A Brief History of Time Lords)

Spandrell was Castellan during the President's assassination and led the subsequent investigation into the attack. He was very sceptical of the Fourth Doctor at first but ended up becoming his ally in the unmasking of Chancellor Goth as the President's murderer. While Spandrell was Castellan, it was rare for the office-holder to deal with criminal offences committed by Time Lords; according to Engin, his duties more often brought him into contact with "more plebeian classes". (TV: The Deadly Assassin)

Spandrell retired and was succeeded by Castellan Kelner due to a combination of good birth and political intrigue. (PROSE: Doctor Who and the Invasion of Time)

Spandrell was persuaded to come out of retirement to serve under Lord President Flavia. (PROSE: Blood Harvest, Happy Endings, The Eight Doctors) By the time of Romana's presidency, Andred was castellan. (AUDIO: Lies)

Personality

Spandrell was tough and sardonic, with his long years working in Security making him a cynical individual. His career ensured that he had no illusions about the underside of Gallifreyan life and gave him a blunt and no-nonsense manner. His survival was thanks to his integrity and efficiency. (PROSE: Doctor Who and the Deadly Assassin)

Appearance

Spandrell was of average height and was, for a Time Lord, unusually broad and muscular. He had an impassive and heavy face that disguised his vast intelligence. (PROSE: Doctor Who and the Deadly Assassin)

Behind the scenes

According to PROSE: Dalek: Spoof Scenes, in a version of events where the Last Great Time War was fought against the Drashigs rather than the Daleks, the Ninth Doctor cited Spandrell as one of the people who'd perished in the War, alongside Damon, Drax and the Meddling Monk.

The Master as seen on the cover of Solo.

A composite of George Pravda as Spandrell and Anthony Ainley as the Tremas Master was used to provide the likeness of the Master played by James Dreyfus on the cover artwork of Solo, the anthology which contained his appearance in Blood of the Time Lords.