Crime: “No Returning Monsters in Series 11!”
Verdict: “Guilty!”
Sentence: “Judoon!”
Yes, the 2018 series of Doctor Who may have, quite rightly, focused on launching a new Doctor, new companions, and new threats. But, following on from the return of the Daleks on New Year’s Day, it’s clear current showrunner will embrace the show’s past too in Series 12. Because the Judoon are back!
Having faced off against the Tenth, Eleventh and Twelfth Doctors, the Judoon have returned – and this time it’s Jodie Whittaker’s Doctor in their sights. Doctor Who Series 12 invades the streets of Gloucester in the present day as the Judoon prepare to stomp their big black boots across the town. They’re on a deadly mission, but who are working for this time? And which is the more significant threat – them or their target? And most importantly – just how awesome with the language of the Judoon (“Bo! Jo! Klo! Sho!”) sound in Whittaker’s Huddersfield accent?
Doctor Who showrunner, Chris Chibnall, has a word of advice for the people of Gloucester: “If anyone has anything to hide, confess now. The Judoon are taking no prisoners, and will stop at nothing to fulfil their mission!” Chibnall, who took over the reins of the most excellent show in the galaxy last year, is delighted to have the Rhino headed bully boys back in action. “The Judoon are storming back into Doctor Who in full force, and the whole team on Doctor Who are delighted and scared in equal measure to welcome them back.” He’s also teased the Judoon as just “one of many treats we’ve got in store for viewers next series.”
The Judoon are back – as big and tough as ever
The Judoon’s 2020 makeover is only slightly changed from their original appearance. Their Captain, however, now sports a handsome mohawk. And their weaponry, if anything, looks fiercer than ever. Meanwhile, these first official photos confirm that the Doctor’s look will be mostly unchanged next year, with her rainbow top and baggy hooded coat still firmly in place.
Created by Russell T Davies for 2007’s Smith and Jones, the Judoon went on to make several more appearances. With the unique combination of their slightly comedic appearance and attitude, with their single-minded ruthlessness and brutality, they were a hit with viewers. Revealed as the enforcers of galactic busybodies the Shadow Proclamation, they featured in stories including The Stolen Earth, The Pandorica Opens, and Face the Raven, as well as The Sarah Jane Adventures serial Prisoner of the Judoon. And just this month Big Finish’s Tenth Doctor Adventures Volume Three saw David Tennant and Catherine Tate encounter them once more.
More details on the upcoming Judoon episode will be reported as we get them. But we have to wonder – the line “Judoon platoon upon the Moon” was famously scripted by Russell T Davies deliberately to challenge Scottish actor David Tennant. Will Chris Chibnall nod to Jodie Whittaker’s Yorkshire tones with some similar tongue twister?
The Judoon have been voiced in all their appearances so far by vocal virtuoso Nicholas Briggs. There’s no confirmation of his involvement in the new story yet, but Blogtor Who can’t imagine anyone else in the role.
Meanwhile, it’s also been revealed that the episode will guest star, acclaimed actor Neil Stuke. Neil has an established career on stage, television and films, and is a two times BAFTA nominee. Neil’s recent credits include Doctor Foster, Silk and Silent Witness.
Doctor Who returns with Series 12 in early 2020 on BBC One and BBC America.
The programme stars Jodie Whittaker (The Doctor), Bradley Walsh (Graham O’Brien), Mandip Gill (Yaz Khan) and Tosin Cole (Ryan Sinclair) and is produced by Chris Chibnall and Matt Strevens.
