when the master first appeared in 1971, he was played by roger delgado. delgado continued in the role until his death in 1973. afterwards, peter pratt and geoffrey beevers played a decayed version of the time lord, until anthony ainley assumed the part in 1981. he remained until "doctor who"'s cancellation in 1989. in 1996, the master was played by eric roberts in the tv movie. in the revived series, derek jacobi provided the character's re-introduction before handing over to john simm, who portrayed the master in the end of the 2007 series. michelle gomez took over the role in 2014.