Who is Mrs Flood in Doctor Who? Anita Dobson character theories
She's back!
Warning: Contains spoilers for Doctor Who episode The Robot Revolution.
She's officially back! With a new season of Doctor Who comes a brand-new appearance from Anita Dobson's Mrs Flood - and she's as camp as ever!
Since the 2023 Christmas special, The Church on Ruby Road, fans have been dying to know who Mrs Flood actually is and it's been confirmed that the mystery will come to an end by the season 15 finale.
Plus, Russell T Davies has told RadioTimes.com that Mrs Flood will rock up every episode this season, with The Robot Revolution revealing she's now Belinda's (Varada Sethu) neighbour, showing her breaking the fourth wall once again, and hiding from the Doctor.
But why?! Here are some of the best theories about Mrs Flood's identity.
Who is Mrs Flood in Doctor Who? All the theories for Anita Dobson role
A member of the Pantheon of Chaos?
It was teased back in Wild Blue Yonder that dangerous forces would be on their way, and so they were with the likes of the Toymaker (Neil Patrick Harris) and Maestro (Jinkx Monsoon), but we know more are on the way, as teased by Russell T Davies.
Could Mrs Flood be another member of these powerful beings, and could she be keeping an eye on Ruby Sunday for a reason?
After all, Davies has made it very clear that Mrs Flood is a villain, telling RadioTimes.com: "She kind of unveiled herself at the end of the last series, standing on a rooftop, with a parasol, in a white fur coat, in the snow, saying 'I'm going to bring absolute terror!' – so the gloves are off, really!"
Plus, Maestro was also the only other character apart from the Doctor to break the fourth wall in recent episodes...
Susan Foreman?
Considering Mrs Flood's familiarity with the TARDIS and numerous references to the Doctor's family, offspring and a namecheck for Susan herself, some fans have speculated that Mrs Flood is indeed the Doctor's long-lost granddaughter Susan Foreman, played by Carole Ann Ford.
Of course, Susan has a long history with the TARDIS, and also knows all about time travel - could she have somehow gone back in time and at some point also have experienced a regeneration?
Another Time Lord?
Of course, Susan is not the only Gallifreyan to potentially take the form of Mrs Flood. Whether it is the Master, the Rani, Romana or the Meddling Monk - multiple people could now appear to be Ruby's sweet neighbour.
It would certainly explain the familiarity with a TARDIS, that's for sure!
Something entirely unexpected?
Given how little evidence we have to go on with Mrs Flood, there really is no limit to explaining her true nature.
In The Legend of Ruby Sunday, Mrs Flood made another appearance, summoned by Carla Sunday (Michelle Greenidge) to look after her mother Cherry (Angela Wynter) so that Carla could accompany Ruby (Millie Gibson) to UNIT HQ.
But Mrs Flood was far from a perfect caregiver – rather than make Cherry a cup of tea, she delivered an ominous warning. "I'd be very careful, Mrs Sunday – there's a storm coming in… He waits no more."
Clearly, Mrs. Flood was somehow aware of the imminent arrival of the god-like being Sutekh – but just how she knew this, and who she really is, remains to be seen.
In Empire of Death, Mrs Flood asked Cherry Sunday whether she believes in the power of prayer. When she said that she does, Mrs Flood added: "Then tell your maker I will come to storm down his gates of gold and seize his kingdom in my true name."
Cherry asked who she was, but no answer was forthcoming. As the pair were later consumed by Sutekh’s dust of death, Mrs Flood told Cherry: "I’m sorry, you tiny little woman, I’m so so sorry, it ends like this... I had such plans."
They were later both restored at the end of the episode, along with all other life in the universe, and Mrs Flood called the Doctor a "clever boy".
However, perhaps the biggest teaser last season as to Mrs Flood's identity came in the final scenes of the episode, where Mrs Flood was seen on the roof of Ruby’s building, dressed in a fur coat and holding an umbrella to shield her from the snow.
She broke the fourth wall for the second time, speaking to the camera and saying: "And that's how the story of The Church on Ruby Road comes to an end. With a very happy ending for little Ruby Sunday.
"But life goes on, doesn't it? Ruthlessly. And what happens, you might wonder. Oh, what happens to that mysterious traveller in time and space known as the Doctor? I'm sorry to say his story ends in absolute terror. Night night!"
Could Mrs Flood be a returning character, or is she something completely new and unpredictable? Rest assured we will keep our eyes peeled for every clue possible.
Doctor Who continues on Saturday 19th April on BBC One and iPlayer.
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Authors
Lewis Knight is the Trends Editor for Radio Times, covering trending titles from TV, Film and more. He previously worked at The Mirror in TV, Film, and Showbiz coverage alongside work on SEO. Alongside his past work in advertising, he possesses a BSc in Psychology and an MA in Film Studies.
