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The Man Behind The Master: The Autobiography of Anthony Ainley
Although known to an audience of millions the world over for his portrayal of The Doctor's arch nemesis The Master in Doctor Who during the 1980's, Anthony Ainley had a prolific career which encompassed starring roles in Spyders Web and It's Dark Outside, as well as appearances in renowned dramas such as The Pallisers, Elizabeth R, Nicholas Nickleby, Upstairs, Downstairs, and cult films including Blood On Satan's Claw and The Land That Time Forgot.
But the dramas in Anthony's real life were far more fascinating than any of the many parts he played on screen. Born the illegitimate son of actor Henry Ainley, and taken into care at the Actors' Orphanage at the age of four, the hidden story behind one of Doctor Who's most enigmatic characters is brought to life by author Karen Louise Hollis.
Using exhaustive interviews with friends and colleagues from every aspect of Anthony's life, including his best friend from school, fellow children from the Actors' Orphanage, cricketing friends, colleagues, and those who remained close to him until his death in 2004, this book aims to uncover the real Anthony Ainley - The Man Behind The Master.
But the dramas in Anthony's real life were far more fascinating than any of the many parts he played on screen. Born the illegitimate son of actor Henry Ainley, and taken into care at the Actors' Orphanage at the age of four, the hidden story behind one of Doctor Who's most enigmatic characters is brought to life by author Karen Louise Hollis.
Using exhaustive interviews with friends and colleagues from every aspect of Anthony's life, including his best friend from school, fellow children from the Actors' Orphanage, cricketing friends, colleagues, and those who remained close to him until his death in 2004, this book aims to uncover the real Anthony Ainley - The Man Behind The Master.
315 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 9, 2015
About the author
Karen Louise Hollis
40 books67 followersKaren Louise Hollis was born in Lincoln in 1969 and has written several books including ones on gymnastics, motherhood and Doctor Who, as well as a short story collection and two poetry collections.
In May 2015, her biography of the actor Anthony Ainley (1932-2004) was published. It is called Anthony Ainley - The Man Behind The Master and is published by Fantom Films. http://fantomfilms.co.uk/books/karenl...
In 2018, her second book on gymnastics was published - Gymnastics : A Golden Era 1985-89 and in August, Decades came out - a collection of short stories and poetry written over four decades.
Over the last few years, she has been concentrating on her new series of interviews with famous gymnasts - Gymnasts In Conversation.
In 2022, her first novel Welcome to Whitlock Close was published.
In 2023, her second novel Starting Again in Silver Sands Bay - a second chance romance set in a seaside town - was published.
In November 2023, her third novel came out - Over The Garden Fence - about two neighbours in their seventies, realising they want to do a lot more yet...
In May 2015, her biography of the actor Anthony Ainley (1932-2004) was published. It is called Anthony Ainley - The Man Behind The Master and is published by Fantom Films. http://fantomfilms.co.uk/books/karenl...
In 2018, her second book on gymnastics was published - Gymnastics : A Golden Era 1985-89 and in August, Decades came out - a collection of short stories and poetry written over four decades.
Over the last few years, she has been concentrating on her new series of interviews with famous gymnasts - Gymnasts In Conversation.
In 2022, her first novel Welcome to Whitlock Close was published.
In 2023, her second novel Starting Again in Silver Sands Bay - a second chance romance set in a seaside town - was published.
In November 2023, her third novel came out - Over The Garden Fence - about two neighbours in their seventies, realising they want to do a lot more yet...
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April 25, 2022
It’s very hard to pin down Anthony Ainley, he was as much a mystery as the time lord he portrayed. He was definitely a product of his time, and as my good friend Will Barton who worked with him on the last classic Dr Who Serial said “in basic form he was a cricket nut who loved playing the Master”. For me his master was a bit pantomime, but he had his chilling moments, but he could play evil straight such as in the film The Land that Time Forgot. In that film you appreciate just how good he could be as German U Boat second in command who was only concerned with his own skin. Most people often ask “was he gay”? The answer is, it simply doesn’t matter. The book is respectful of this and only hints at a few possible romances, but I think it’s simpler to say he loved Cricket & the Master & those were his two loves in life. It’s a shame that the man who originated the Master has yet to have his biography told!
Displaying 1 of 1 review