Archie Panjabi made her Doctor Who debut as the Rani, a renegade Time Lord, in the latest episode of the BBC sci-fi series
The notorious Doctor Who baddie, the Rani, has made a dramatic comeback to the series after nearly three decades, with Archie Panjabi stepping into the villainous role.
In the latest episode, which featured the 803rd Interstellar Song Contest, Anita Dobson’s character Mrs Flood underwent bi-generation, unveiling herself as the infamous Time Lord, a part originally brought to life by Kate O’Mara.
Emmy Award-winner Panjabi, who first graced the BBC sci-fi saga in 1985’s ‘Mark Of The Rani’ episode, has been covertly portraying Mrs Flood, “meticulously waiting for her time to face the Doctor” as stated by the show’s producers.
Panjabi, aged 52, commented on her new role:
“It seems there’s been quite a bit of speculation about the Rani’s return, and who can blame you?”.
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She added:
“Kate O’Mara’s portrayal was brilliant, ruthless and unforgettable. Now, under Russell T Davies, she’s back- and I’ll ask, what in the Whoniverse will we bring to her? Let’s just say, you might not be ready.”
Both Panjabi and Dobson are set to feature in the two-part series finale, ‘Wish World’ and ‘The Reality War’, where the Doctor and the Rani will engage in an epic showdown that promises to “send shockwaves through the Whoniverse.”
Russell T Davies, the showrunner, expressed his excitement:
“Ncuti (Gatwa) always said he wanted to face the Rani, so after 32 years, she’s back.”
Davies also praised the casting choice:
“It’s an honour to work with Archie – I’ve been a fan for years, and what a joy, to see her twinned with Anita Dobson. It’s the greatest threat the Doctor has ever faced, and there are even more villains to come.”
The Rani last graced our screens in a 1993 BBC Children In Need special of the show titled Dimensions In Time, which saw a unique crossover between Doctor Who and EastEnders as the Doctor’s Tardis landed in Albert Square.
Wish World is set to debut on Saturday, May 24, on BBC iPlayer at 8am, while The Reality War will premiere simultaneously on BBC One and iPlayer on Saturday, May 31, and will also be screened in over 450 cinemas across the UK and Ireland.
Panjabi has made her mark with roles such as Zahra Gahfoor in Hijack, Kendra Malley in Departure, and Kalinda Sharma in The Good Wife, for which she bagged a Primetime Emmy award.