Classic Doctor Who Villain Returns In New Spinoff

Classic Doctor Who Villain Returns In New Spinoff

Key Takeaways

  • The Doctor Who series is celebrating its 60th anniversary and will feature familiar villains in the upcoming spinoff.
  • The iconic villain, the Mara, returns to bring chaos in the Eighth Doctor Adventures with themes of psychological horror.
  • The Mara’s ability to manipulate emotions and tap into fears makes it an exciting and powerful villain in the Doctor Who universe.

As a dedicated fan of Doctor Who who has been following the series since its inception, I am beyond excited about the return of the iconic villain, the Mara, in the upcoming Eighth Doctor Adventures. Having grown up watching the show and revisiting classic episodes like “Kinda” and “Snakedance,” I can’t help but feel a sense of nostalgia mixed with anticipation for this new audio drama.


Over the course of their long life, The Doctor has encountered numerous adversaries in the popular BBC series that’s been on air for six decades. One such enemy is set to reappear in the latest spin-off of the show.

The long-running science fiction series “Doctor Who” is preparing for its 60th anniversary in November. Over the years, it has given birth to several spinoffs and introduced numerous villains. One such villain will make an appearance in upcoming spinoffs, as confirmed by producer David Richardson. The plan has been in the works for some time, and this character is now set to team up with the Eighth Doctor, played by Paul McGann, on his latest adventure.

In the next installment of “Doctor Who – The Eighth Doctor Adventures: Deadly Strangers,” titled “The Gloaming,” the malevolent Mara will resurface to sow disorder. This sinister creature, first introduced in the 1982 episode “Kinda” and revisited in “Snakedance,” is an ancient entity that assumes the appearance of a snake-like being, feeding on its victims through their dreams. In this audio series episode, the Mara chooses a prime location for its comeback – a high-end sleep clinic where the affluent relax amidst their troubles in outer space. This offers the Mara an ideal setting to infiltrate its prey. As the Eighth Doctor, accompanied by Lady Audacity Montague (Jaye Griffiths) and Charley (India Fisher), land in Gloaming, they swiftly recognize that an old adversary has reemerged.

Richardson discussed the planned comeback of the villainous Mara in “Doctor Who” for some time, finding it intriguing to explore their role within a fresh TARDIS crew. He mentioned that while most previous stories revolved around the Fifth Doctor’s team, this time it’s the Eighth Doctor and his companions who encounter the malevolent force. According to Digital Spy, Lauren Mooney, one of the episode’s co-writers, explained that the Mara will exploit Audacity’s insecurities as the Eighth Doctor and Charley have a rich history, whereas she is new to the team. Co-writer Stewart Pringle expressed his enthusiasm about reintroducing the Mara, who are said to have literary influences. He mentioned that they were thrilled to delve back into “Kinda” and “Snakedance,” two captivating stories, as well as the world and mythology crafted by Christopher Bailey for the Mara, which is rich with references to modernist poetry, particularly TS Eliot. Pringle further noted that they aimed to explore deeper into this concept and portray the Mara as a creature that arises at the fall of an empire.

One captivating antagonist in “Doctor Who” is the Mara. Its knack for controlling emotions, fear, and insecurity aligns with the series’ psychological horror genre. It thrives on exploiting one’s vulnerabilities and messing with one’s mind, making it a potent representation of our inner emotional and mental struggles. Episodes like “Kinda” and “Snakedance,” which were intellectually stimulating and unorthodox, are favorites among devoted “Doctor Who” enthusiasts. The Mara’s comeback promises a dose of nostalgia, excitement, and psychological terror that is sure to leave a lasting impact on viewers.

The Eighth Doctor’s Audio Adventure, titled “Deadly Strangers,” will hit the shelves in December.

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2024-11-06 23:23