Warning: Significant spoilers are included for the latest episode of Doctor Who, entitled “The Interstellar Song Contest”.
Prepare your TARDIS and set your coordinates, Whovians! The latest offering from Doctor Who has dropped a narrative bombshell that might reshape this season’s storyline.
With suspense at an all-time high, fans finally unearthed the elusive truth about Mrs. Flood—a mystery that has kept viewers guessing for weeks. Showrunner Russell T. Davies first introduced this enigma last Christmas, when actress Anita Dobson made a brief appearance, intriguingly breaking the fourth wall to share insights about the TARDIS. Now, that mounting anticipation has culminated in a twist no one will easily forget.
In an astonishing development, the series has resurrected a classic nemesis—the Rani, a notorious renegade Time Lord from Gallifrey. This shocking reveal unfolded as Mrs. Flood began to bi-generate, morphing into two strikingly different characters: one brought to life by Dobson, and the other by Archie Panjabi. “Our name is the Rani,” declared Panjabi’s character, while Dobson’s portrayed a seemingly subordinate role, adding layers to an already intricate relationship. “She’s become a Rani, while I’m the Rani—the definite article, if you will!” Panjabi remarked, injecting an additional air of mystery into the scene.
However, the surprises didn’t stop there. Fans quickly took to social media as a teaser image for the upcoming episode ignited a flurry of speculation. One post garnered over 800 likes on X as followers shared their bewilderment and excitement. The image in question shows the Rani cradling an infant, leading to a cascade of reactions: “What on earth?” was a sentiment echoed throughout the fandom.
WHAT ON EARTH??? #DoctorWho pic.twitter.com/LbLRRDh1MPMay 19, 2025
Fan Theories Ignited
As per tradition, fans wasted no time in concocting theories surrounding the intriguing teaser. Some speculate that the Rani’s connection to “space babies” from a previous episode might be revisited—a twist fitting for the longstanding legacy of Doctor Who. One theory, however, stands out as particularly captivating.
Exploring a deeply emotional narrative arc, Ruby Sunday faced abandonment as a child but ultimately reunited with her birth mother, Louise Miller. Could the Rani be the one depicted holding baby Ruby in this tantalizing teaser? The possibility sends chills down the spine, especially as astute observers noted that the Rani’s cloak bears a striking resemblance to Ruby’s attire during her abandonment flashback scenes. If this theory proves true, the repercussions for Ruby’s character development could be monumental and enthralling.
As we eagerly anticipate the next episode’s release on May 24, available for streaming on Disney+ and BBC iPlayer, the excitement among fans is palpable. What surprises lie ahead? Only time—and perhaps the TARDIS—will tell!
