In 1996, he appeared in the "Doctor Who" television film in the role of the Master. When "SFX" listed previous Masters in "Doctor Who", the magazine said of Roberts: "Out-acted by a CGI snake in the same production." The onscreen wife of Roberts' human character, who is killed by her newly possessed husband taken over by the Master, is played by his real-life wife. He also co-starred in the 1996 television miniseries version of "In Cold Blood", in the role of Perry Smith; he was nominated as Best Actor in a Miniseries or a Motion Picture Made for Television. He starred in for its entire 1997 to 1998 run. He starred opposite John Ritter in the movie "Tripfall" in 1998. He played the Archangel Michael in "The Prophecy II" (1997).