Following last week's penultimate episode of Doctor Who season 14, The Legend of Ruby Sunday, ended on a huge cliffhanger, showrunner Russell T Davies has teased the "vital" role that a guest star will play in the finale, Empire of Death.
Advertisement
Speaking on The Official Doctor Who Podcast, Davies said: "All of these people are brilliant and Mel's still there, everyone's fighting and winning and losing but far away on a distant planet, a kind woman is waiting with something absolutely vital."
In referencing a "kind woman", Davies seems to be referring to a character in the upcoming episode credited under that moniker, who is being played by guest star Sian Clifford.
Clifford is an actor best-known for her role as Claire in Fleabag, while she has also appeared in series such as Inside No. 9 and His Dark Materials, along with films including See How They Run and Young Woman and the Sea.
Sian Clifford. Eamonn M. McCormack/Getty Images
Previously, Davies teased that there was "one great, great actor who appeared in the very last episode that we haven’t credited anywhere yet", and said that they were "a phenomenal actor stepping forward and delivering the most brilliant scene you’ve ever seen".
Could he have been referring to Clifford? And just who is her mysterious "kind woman" role? Only time will tell...
He said: "The EMPIRE OF DEATH approaches. What is the truth about Susan Triad? Who is Ruby’s mother? And what vital object lies waiting on a distant planet with no name? Answers on their way! All beginning with, tomorrow night: Pyramids of Mars on BBC 4 and @bbciplayer.
"Friday midnight: the Empire drops on @bbciplayer in the UK and @disneyplus worldwide, and in cinemas in the UK, then Saturday night on @bbcone.
"Plus, Doctor Who Unleashed with the lovely shacket-wearing @steffanpowell, and a whole EXTRA half-hour Unleashed looking at the whole series, plus an in-vision commentary for Empire of Death on the iPlayer with me, @thebonnielangford and producer Vicki Delow, with more facts than you can shake a Sutekh at. Here we go!"
Doctor Who continues on Saturday 22nd June on BBC iPlayer and BBC One.Previous seasons are available to stream on BBC iPlayer with episodes of the classic series also available on BritBox – you can sign up for a 7-day free trial here.
James Hibbs is a Drama Writer for Radio Times, covering programmes across both streaming platforms and linear channels. He previously worked in PR, first for a B2B agency and subsequently for international TV production company Fremantle. He possesses a BA in English and Theatre Studies and an NCTJ Level 5 Diploma in Journalism.
