Doctor Who Showrunner Teases The Future Of Classic Allies Returning With More Frequent Appearances
SUMMARY
- UNIT is set to play a major role in the Doctor Who season 14 finale, which could lead to a bigger future for the organization.
- Showrunner Russell T Davies aims for yearly UNIT appearances with familiar faces, connecting the modern and classic Doctor Who eras.
- The increased importance of UNIT could indicate the potential for spin-offs with new characters leading adventures.
Doctor Who showrunner Russell T Davies teases big plans for the Time Lord’s allies at UNIT in future seasons. The currently-airing Doctor Who season 14 stars Ncuti Gatwa as the Fifteenth Doctor, who travels across time and space with new companion Ruby Sunday, portrayed by Millie Gibson. An element of the series dating back to the classic era, UNIT made their return in “73 Yards” as one of the allies Ruby hopes can help her when the Doctor disappears and she is pursued by an ominous stalker.
With UNIT set to play a major role in Doctor Who season 14’s two-part finale, Davies revealed that audiences can expect more from the organization and those who work there while speaking to Doctor Who Magazine (via RadioTimes). He hopes to revisit UNIT each year and enjoys having the Doctor reunite with old friends, including Kate Stewart (Jemma Redgrave) and Mel Bush (Bonnie Langford). Check out Davies’ response below:
I love that lot. With any luck, we’ll return to UNIT HQ every year, in different ways. It’s particularly lovely to see the Doctor greet Mel again, because she was holding his hand when he bi-generated – she was the first person ever to touch the new Doctor – so there’s a real joy in seeing them give each other a great big hug. And Kate and the Doctor have a lovely conversation about Brigadier Lethbridge Stewart, where he’s remembered. Jemma, of course, has been such a constant…
And the new parts we’re building up… discoveries like Alexander Devrient, who gives such a subtle and detailed performance. It’s a joy to give him more and more to do. And Ruth Madeley is still part of the gang. I can reveal that she’ll be back next year. And Lenny [Rush] has become family – he’ll be back at some point too.
Is UNIT’s New Doctor Who Presence A Return To Classic Series Style Storytelling?
UNIT Has A Long History With Doctor Who
Within Doctor Who‘s initial revival, Davies used UNIT sparingly in the early seasons, name-dropping the organization but not having them play a key role until season 4. Subsequent showrunners Steven Moffat and Chris Chibnall would establish a regular cast with Kate and scientific adviser Osgood (Ingrid Oliver), with the latter showrunner giving an in-universe exploration of UNIT’s hidden history to address its absence in the Thirteenth Doctor’s (Jodie Whittaker) era. However, Davies may be taking inspiration from the classic series when planning UNIT’s future.
With Davies establishing a core UNIT cast and having them play a role in assisting the Doctor’s companions after they depart the TARDIS, it is clear that the showrunner has increased their importance to the world of Doctor Who. Furthermore, he has hinted that secrets from the Third Doctor’s (Jon Pertwee) era may be locked deep within UNIT HQ, creating a clear link between the modern show and the Doctor’s days as a UNIT employee. With so many connections between the modern era and Pertwee’s tenure, perhaps Gatwa’s Doctor may have a similar relationship.
Between their new connection to companions and advanced equipment, it is clear UNIT will play a key role in Doctor Who‘s future going forward. Season 14’s finale will heavily feature the group in its main arc, and Davies’ confirmation that several characters will be further fleshed out shows that the writer is giving UNIT a cast of recognizable returning faces. Furthermore, with the potential of Whoniverse spin-offs on the horizon, perhaps UNIT’s newest members could find themselves leading their own adventures.
