Doctor Who villain the Rani returns for first time in 29 years played by Archie Panjabi

In the most recent episode of the BBC sci-fi series, Archie Panjabi made her Doctor Who debut as the renegade Time Lord.

After nearly three decades, the notorious Doctor Who villain, the Rani, returns with a dramatic comeback, playing the villain.

Anita Dobson’s portrayal of the infamous Time Lord, a role that Kate O’Mara originally brought to life in the most recent episode, which featured the 803rd Interstellar Song Contest, underwent bi-generational transformation.

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.

52-year-old Panjabi made a comment about her new position:

Who can blame you for the Rani’s return, and it seems like there has been a lot of speculation?

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She continued, “

Kate O’Mara’s portrayal was masterful, brutal, and unforgettable. She’s back now, under Russell T Davies, and I’ll ask: What will we bring to her from the Whoniverse? Let’s just say, you might not be ready.

The Doctor and the Rani will engage in an epic showdown that “send shockwaves through the Whoniverse,” in which both Panjabi and Dobson will appear in the two-part series finale, “Wish World” and “The Reality War.”

The show’s creator, Russell T. Davies, expressed his excitement:

“She’s back after 32 years,” said Gatwa, who always said he wanted to face the Rani.

Davies also praised the casting:

“I’ve been a fan for years, and what a joy to see her twinned with Anita Dobson,” Archie says. “It’s an honor to work with her. The Doctor faces the greatest threat in his career, and there will likely be even more villains.

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.

Source: Mirror