List of Doctor Who universe creatures and aliens

{{Short description|none}} {{Italic title|string=Doctor Who}} {{Featured list}} {{Use dmy dates|date=March 2026}} [[File:Doctor Who (2020) logo.svg|thumb|The ''Doctor Who'' logo that has been used from 2022 onwards]] ''[[Doctor Who]]'', a long-running [[British television science fiction|British science fiction television]] series, has many creatures and [[Extraterrestrial life|aliens]] that exist in its fictional [[Whoniverse|universe]]. Beginning in 1963, the show ran until 1989, at which point it was cancelled. It was later revived in 2005. The series stars its protagonist, [[the Doctor]], an alien who travels through time and space in a ship known as the [[TARDIS]], as well as their travelling [[Companion (Doctor Who)|companions]], as they explore the universe.<ref name=":4">{{Cite journal |last=Nicol |first=Danny |date=1 May 2020 |title=''Doctor Who'', Family and National Identity |journal=Entertainment & Sports Law Journal |volume=18 |issue=4 |pages=1–11 |via=[[EBSCO Information Services|EBSCO]]|issn=1748-944X}}</ref> When the Doctor dies, they are able to undergo a process known as "[[Regeneration (Doctor Who)|regeneration]]", completely changing the Doctor's appearance and personality.<ref name=":51">{{Cite web |last=Grady |first=Constance |date=13 December 2023 |title=''Doctor Who''{{’}}s big twist betrayed the show's oldest rule |url=https://www.vox.com/culture/24000340/doctor-who-the-giggle-david-tennant-russell-t-davies |access-date=21 May 2025 |website=[[Vox media|Vox]]-US |archive-date=31 May 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250531041417/https://www.vox.com/culture/24000340/doctor-who-the-giggle-david-tennant-russell-t-davies |url-status=live }}</ref> Throughout their travels, the Doctor often comes into conflict with various creatures and alien species, with many of them serving as both supporting characters and as antagonists. These creatures are often dubbed "monsters" by fans of the series. This list covers alien races and other fictional creatures from the show's universe, as well as from several of its spin-off series, such as ''[[The Sarah Jane Adventures]]'', ''[[Torchwood]]'', and ''[[Class (2016 TV series)|Class]],'' in chronological order of their first appearance.

Initially an [[Educational television|educational show]], the introduction of the [[Dalek|Daleks]] in the show's second story saw ''Doctor Who'' gain a ratings spike. More monsters were made to attempt to capitalise off the Daleks' success and subsequently became a larger focus within the series, notably during the period where [[Patrick Troughton]] acted as the [[Second Doctor]]. Monsters subsequently became incorporated throughout the rest of the show's original run, with concepts and premises for them being inspired by the setting and atmosphere of the current era of the show. Following the show's cancellation in 1989 and its subsequent revival in 2005, monsters once again became a major part of the show, with many returning from its original run.

The initial usage of monsters in the show's original run has been cited by critics as lacking in significant depth, with many monsters described as pure evil "[[Other (philosophy)|Others]]" that sought to represent British cultural anxieties. However, as the series has progressed, critics have noted that monsters gained an increased level of character depth that allowed them to be portrayed more sympathetically.

== Conception and design == During the course of the series, the Doctor encounters many creatures, including alien species, with many of them acting as antagonists. These creatures are often dubbed "monsters" by fans of the series. Author [[Graham Sleight]], in the book ''The Doctor's Monsters: Meanings of the Monstrous in Doctor Who'' defines a monster in the context of the show as "a creature of nonhuman appearance that acts in a way that's evil, or at least meant to harm the protagonist and other characters we're meant to be sympathetic with"''.''{{Sfn|Sleight|2012|pp=4–5}} Despite this, there are many alien species that do not act in an antagonistic manner; one example are the Draconians from the 1973 serial ''[[Frontier in Space]]'', who have a distinctive non-human appearance yet are not inherently evil. Races such as these may still be categorised as a "monsters", however.{{Sfn|Sleight|2012|pp=4–5}} Monsters are often adapted into [[Doctor Who spinoffs|spin-off media]] for the series, such as books, [[audio dramas]], and comics, which often expand upon the creatures' backstories and abilities, though these stories often conflict with television series canon. Some monsters, such as the Voord, a mysterious race of black-suited creatures, have entire [[Myth|mythos]] constructed within spin-off media.{{Sfn|Phillips|2020|pp=83–91}}

=== Classic series === ''Doctor Who'' was originally conceived as an [[Educational television|educational show]], with the series' format being planned so that it would involve the Doctor going back in time and experiencing important historical events. Early on in the series, however, the production team had no stories ready to be made, which resulted in ''[[The Daleks]]'' (1963-1964) being put into production.<ref name=":162">{{Cite web |last=Andress |first=Justin |date=11 March 2016 |title=Everything You Need To Know About the Daleks of ‘Doctor Who’ |url=https://www.inverse.com/article/12706-everything-you-need-to-know-about-the-daleks-of-doctor-who |access-date=9 March 2025 |website=[[Inverse (website)|Inverse]] |archive-date=25 July 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190725081835/https://www.inverse.com/article/12706-everything-you-need-to-know-about-the-daleks-of-doctor-who |url-status=live }}</ref> The serial featured the [[Dalek|titular alien species]], and its inclusion in the series was justified under the show's educational banner as being used to educate about [[Nuclear warfare|nuclear war]] and its consequences to children.<ref name=":202">{{Cite book |last=Roberts |first=Graham |url=https://books.google.com/books?hl=en&lr=&id=TyRLsacFMCgC&oi=fnd&pg=PA95&dq=%22dalek%22+doctor+who&ots=MHBhjBI70a&sig=vsl1V1V82jA-Pr-YdLynV8OQjVg#v=onepage&q=%22dalek%22%20doctor%20who&f=false |title=The Historian, Television and Television History: A Collection |last2=Taylor |first2=Philip M. |last3=Pronay |first3=Nicholas |date=2001 |publisher=[[Indiana University Press]] |isbn=978-1-86020-586-6|pages=98}}</ref> The Head of Drama at the BBC, [[Sydney Newman]], initially disliked the idea of the Daleks, believing that ''Doctor Who'' should have no aliens or monsters.<ref name=":162" /> The Daleks, however, were highly popular with audiences, ensuring their return in subsequent stories. As the series' first few seasons progressed, the show's purely historical stories were phased out, being replaced by a format of visiting alien worlds and meeting alien species.{{Sfn|Sleight|2012|p=9}} Additionally, the Daleks' success led to many attempts at re-creating this popularity with monsters such as the Mechonoids and Voord, though these attempts were largely unsuccessful.<ref name=":152">{{Cite book |last=Turner |first=Alwyn W. |url=https://www.google.com/books/edition/Terry_Nation/kMEEAwAAQBAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=%22skirt%22+Dalek+-wikipedia&pg=RA1-PT43&printsec=frontcover |title=Terry Nation: The Man Who Invented the Daleks |date=1 April 2013 |publisher=[[The Quarto Group]] |isbn=978-1-84513-687-1 |archive-date=4 June 2025 |access-date=22 January 2026 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250604031104/https://www.google.com/books/edition/Terry_Nation/kMEEAwAAQBAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=%22skirt%22+Dalek+-wikipedia&pg=RA1-PT43&printsec=frontcover |url-status=live }}</ref> [[File:War Games Monsters.jpg|alt=A group shot consisting of: a furry creature; a reptilian figure wearing strange armour; a mechanical, one-eyed robotic creature; a black-haired man wearing a suit and bowtie staring at the robotic creature; a metallic humanoid creature; a boxy creature with a round head, spikes jutting out of all sides of the head|thumb|A number of monsters as pictured alongside the [[Second Doctor]] ([[Patrick Troughton]]) in a behind the scenes photograph from ''[[The War Games]]'' (1969). From left to right, back to front: a [[Yeti (Doctor Who)|Yeti]], [[Ice Warrior]], [[Dalek]], [[Cyberman]], and Quark ]] [[Patrick Troughton]]'s [[Doctor Who season 4|first season]] on the show as the [[Second Doctor]] saw a time of change for the series. The Daleks were expanded upon as antagonists, while the [[Cyberman|Cybermen]], who had debuted in 1966's ''[[The Tenth Planet]]'', became recurring antagonists following their debut appearance.<ref name=":63">{{Cite book |last=Ainsworth |first=John |title=Doctor Who: The Complete History: The Savages - The War Machines - The Smugglers - The Tenth Planet |date=7 September 2016 |publisher=Hachette Partworks, [[Panini Publishing]]. |pages=74–81 |issn=2057-6048|year=2016b}}</ref> The Daleks, whom [[Terry Nation]], their creator, was trying to pitch as part of a television series in America, were written out of the series in 1967's ''[[The Evil of the Daleks]]'', resulting in the introduction of several new recurring monsters to fill the gap left in the programme by the Daleks' absence.{{Sfn|Chapman|2006|p=53}} Troughton's second season saw an expansion of the show's monsters. By this point, the Cybermen were established as one of the series' main antagonists; the [[Ice Warrior|Ice Warriors]] and [[Yeti (Doctor Who)|Yeti]] similarly were established during this season, becoming major recurring antagonists.{{Sfn|Ainsworth|2017a|pp=109–113}}

Initially, the show featured very few major invasions of contemporary Earth, but several serials during Troughton's time on the show began to experiment with this format.{{Sfn|Sleight|2012|pp=9–10}} The success of the Troughton-era invasion serials, as well as a desire to reinvent the show, led to the era of [[Jon Pertwee]]'s [[Third Doctor]] featuring many invasions of Earth. This format had limitations, however, with many of these invasion plots being similar in concept to those of the ''[[Quatermass]]'' series. Other serials, however, such as the 1970 serial ''[[Doctor Who and the Silurians]],'' which introduced the [[Silurians|titular monsters]] as recurring antagonists'','' focused on more scientific concepts and were more inventive in concept than a "standard" alien invasion story; for example, the Silurians had sympathetic motivations and were not traditional alien invaders, coming from the Earth instead of from space.{{Sfn|Kenneth Muir|2007|p=21}} Creatures with a mostly silver or black and white-based colour scheme, most notably the Cybermen, were phased out as antagonists, with newer antagonists being more colourful and "organic"; this was due to the series swapping to [[Color television|colour television]], allowing the latter type of monster to be better realised on-screen.{{Sfn|Chapman|2006|p=76}} The production team eventually found these invasion stories thematically shallow and overly long, with each serial initially lasting seven episodes each. While the episode counts were decreased to address the length issue, the alien invasion stories were retained and increased in prominence in the show's [[Doctor Who season 8|eighth season]].{{Sfn|Kenneth Muir|2007|p=21}} The season's opening serial, 1971's ''[[Terror of the Autons]],'' was considered so terrifying by viewers and critics alike as a result of [[Nestene Consciousness and Autons|its titular monster]] that the production team decided to bring back adventures set in outer space, which had previously been avoided in Pertwee's era.{{Sfn|Chapman|2006|pp=84–85}} The Daleks were also brought back as recurring antagonists.{{Sfn|Kenneth Muir|2007|p=21}}

The [[Doctor Who season 12|first season]] of actor [[Tom Baker]]'s era as the [[Fourth Doctor]] saw the return of many old antagonists, such as the Daleks, Cybermen, and [[Sontaran|Sontarans]].{{Sfn|Kenneth Muir|2007|p=25}} The production team aimed to make the show more sophisticated, re-vamping the series and giving stories greater depth; this re-invention extended to their returning antagonists.<ref name=":32652">{{Cite book |last=Ainsworth |first=John |title=Doctor Who: The Complete History: Robot – The Ark in Space – The Sontaran Experiment |date=18 November 2015 |publisher=[[Hachette Partworks]], [[Panini Publishing]] |pages=12–13 |issn=2057-6048|year=2015b}}</ref> James Chapman stated in the book ''Inside the TARDIS: The Worlds of Doctor Who'' that this season served as a reinvention of the series' past while simultaneously shifting away from it, as subsequent seasons saw fewer returning antagonists.{{Sfn|Chapman|2006|pp=99–101}} Producer [[Philip Hinchcliffe]] wanted the show to move away from the alien invasion stories on Earth that had been present in Pertwee's era, wanting a shift to cosmic threats with less absolute goals.{{Sfn|Kistler|2013|p=116}} Following this season, the show shifted to explorations of deep space, away from Earth-based settings, with many of the new alien creatures, such as the Krynoids and [[Zygons]], being firmly grounded within the genre of horror in their origins. This period of the show was described as "[[Gothic fiction|gothic]]", and featured "oppressive" and "claustrophobic" alien planet designs, and any familiar Earth locations were given darker touches.{{Sfn|Chapman|2006|pp=99–101}} Monster based horror stories were largely abandoned by the time of the show's [[Doctor Who season 16|sixteenth season]], with the stories becoming more comedic instead.{{Sfn|Kenneth Muir|2007|p=27}} This season, dubbed "The Key to Time", largely dropped them due to the "unique" nature of the season.{{Sfn|Ainsworth|2017b|p=90}}

Led under the tenure of producer [[John Nathan-Turner]], actor [[Peter Davison]]'s time as the [[Fifth Doctor]] saw a shift away from the comedic focus, with the show's [[Doctor Who season 20|twentieth series]], its anniversary series, beginning a period of the show bringing back many antagonists from its past. The show's [[Doctor Who season 21|twenty-first series]] saw further returns of multiple monsters, including the Daleks, Silurians, and [[Sea Devil (Doctor Who)|Sea Devils]].{{Sfn|Kenneth Muir|2007|pp=32–33}} [[Colin Baker]]'s time as the [[Sixth Doctor]] saw the returns of many previously appearing monsters, including the Cybermen and Sontarans.{{Sfn|Kenneth Muir|2007|p=34}} Many of these monster returns in the later years of the show's Classic era were directly tied to prior appearances, with many being direct sequels to prior stories. This was done due to the production team believing fans wanted to see more ties back to the series' past, but contemporary reviews disliked these returns, which alienated fans more than it appealed to them.<ref name=":11">{{Cite book |last=Harmes |first=Marcus K. |url=https://www.google.com/books/edition/Doctor_Who_and_the_Art_of_Adaptation/ZdyJAwAAQBAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=%22The+Master%22+++%22Doctor+Who%22&pg=PA26&printsec=frontcover |title=Doctor Who and the Art of Adaptation: Fifty Years of Storytelling |date=1 May 2015 |publisher=[[Bloomsbury Publishing]] |isbn=978-1-4422-3285-3 |pages=38–41 |archive-date=20 August 2025 |access-date=22 January 2026 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250820091501/https://www.google.com/books/edition/Doctor_Who_and_the_Art_of_Adaptation/ZdyJAwAAQBAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=%22The+Master%22+++%22Doctor+Who%22&pg=PA26&printsec=frontcover |url-status=live }}</ref>

=== Revived series === {{Multiple image | total_width = 350 | image1 = Portrait of Russell T. Davies, 2025.jpg | alt1 = A man dressed in a suit and glasses, smiling at the camera | image2 = Steven Moffat by Gage Skidmore 2.jpg | alt2 = A man with curly black hair speaking into a microphone at some kind of event | image3 = Chris Chibnall by Gage Skidmore.jpg | footer = From left to right: Russell T Davies, Steven Moffat, and Chris Chibnall. All three have served as showrunners during the programme's 2005 revival. | alt3 = A headshot of a man wearing glasses and a blue shirt speaking into a microphone at some kind of event }} Following the show's cancellation in 1989 and an aborted revival attempt via [[Doctor Who (film)|a television film]] in 1996, the show was properly revived in 2005. The revived series was initially headed by writer and showrunner [[Russell T Davies]]. Following Davies's departure in 2010, [[Steven Moffat]] took over, with Moffat staying on until [[Chris Chibnall]] took over as showrunner in 2018. Following Chibnall's tenure, Davies returned to the showrunner role in 2022.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Fullerton |first=Huw |date=18 March 2025 |title=New Doctor Who turns 20: "I think its return has now proved that it's invulnerable" |url=https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/sci-fi/doctor-who-at-20-bbc/ |access-date=17 September 2025 |website=[[Radio Times]]-GB |archive-date=12 September 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250912083454/https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/sci-fi/doctor-who-at-20-bbc/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The revival changed and reinterpreted the show's setting, particularly in the form of the [[Last Great Time War]], an event that radically shifted the universe's status quo.<ref name="Gizmodo">{{cite web |last=Whitbrook |first=James |date=17 June 2020 |title=The Timey-Wimey History of Doctor Who's Time War |url=https://gizmodo.com/the-timey-wimey-history-of-doctor-whos-time-war-1843986630 |access-date=19 November 2024 |website=[[Gizmodo]] |archive-date=27 November 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241127232724/https://gizmodo.com/the-timey-wimey-history-of-doctor-whos-time-war-1843986630 |url-status=live }}</ref>

Many of the monsters in the revival, unlike in the classic series, focused less on conquering territory. Many are instead attempting to survive and carry on their race, or do not know they are causing harm. One type of story that became prevalent in the show's revival is the "returning monster" story, which saw monsters from the Classic era of the show brought back and revamped; these stories tended to receive much higher press coverage and be more important within the show's narrative.{{Sfn|Chapman|2006|p=223}} Davies' initial time on the show saw the return of several monsters, who were incorporated and interpreted within the show's revamped mythology. Returning monsters included the Daleks, Cybermen, Sontarans, Nestenes and Autons, and the Macra.{{Sfn|Phillips|2020|p=55}} Returning monsters often saw their designs altered, striking a balance between "homage and revision".{{Sfn|Phillips|2020|p=55}} Unlike the Classic era, where these re-appearances hinged on prior episodes, episodes featuring these monsters often paid homage to prior episodes but did not require them to be understood by the show's audience.<ref name=":11" /> [[File:Pandorica Opens Monsters.webp|alt=A number of alien-resembling lifeforms staring at the camera. On the left are a number of gray metallic, humanoid figures, in the middle are a trio of robotic, one-eyed creatures, and on the right are short figures wearing blue armour|thumb|A number of monsters as seen in 2010's "[[The Pandorica Opens]]", including Cybermen (left), Daleks (middle), [[Autons]] (resembling [[Roman legionaries]]) and [[Sontaran|Sontarans]] (right)]] Moffat's tenure as showrunner saw the return of several monsters previously featured in Davies' tenure, but also saw the re-introduction of the Silurians, the [[Great Intelligence]] (albeit without its minions, the Yeti), the Ice Warriors, and the Zygons.{{Sfn|Phillips|2020|p=55}} The Silurians were brought back for the revival's [[Doctor Who series 5|fifth series]], with the others brought back during the show's [[Doctor Who series 7|2013 series]], which aired in the show's fiftieth anniversary year.<ref name=":322">{{Cite book |last=Ainsworth |first=John |title=Doctor Who: The Complete History: The Day of the Doctor – The Time of the Doctor |date=13 January 2016 |publisher=[[Hachette Partworks]], [[Panini Publishing]] |issn=2057-6048|pages=10–11|year=2016c}}</ref> When asked in an interview, Moffat stated that he did not want to overly rely on the past of the series, and thus strayed away from bringing back older antagonists, including monsters.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Harp |first=Justin |date=24 August 2012 |title='Doctor Who' exec rules out Rani return |url=https://www.digitalspy.com/tv/cult/a401680/doctor-who-steven-moffat-rules-out-return-for-villain-the-rani/ |access-date=27 June 2025 |website=[[Digital Spy]]-GB |archive-date=29 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230829082915/https://www.digitalspy.com/tv/cult/a401680/doctor-who-steven-moffat-rules-out-return-for-villain-the-rani/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Moffat additionally stated that he believed that the series did not need to mine its history for further monsters to bring back.<ref name=":362">{{Cite book |last=Ainsworth |first=John |title=Doctor Who: The Complete History: The Rings of Akhaten - Cold War - Hide - Journey to the Centre of the Tardis |date=26 August 2016 |publisher=Hachette Partworks, Panini Publishing |issn=2057-6048|pages=45|year=2016d}}</ref> This influenced his decisions in regard to bringing back monsters; Moffat stated he was hesitant to bring back the Ice Warriors, with the Warriors being brought back only due to the insistence of writer [[Mark Gatiss]], who was able to come up with an idea for the creatures that Moffat believed justified their return.<ref name="RT Ice Warriors">{{cite web |date=21 February 2013 |title=Doctor Who's Steven Moffat: I wasn't keen on bringing back the Ice Warriors |url=http://www.radiotimes.com/news/2013-02-21/doctor-whos-steven-moffat-i-wasnt-keen-on-bringing-back-the-ice-warriors |access-date=19 March 2013 |work=[[Radio Times]] |archive-date=29 March 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130329013315/http://www.radiotimes.com/news/2013-02-21/doctor-whos-steven-moffat-i-wasnt-keen-on-bringing-back-the-ice-warriors |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="press quotes">{{cite web |last=Setchfield |first=Nick |date=18 March 2013 |title=Doctor Who Press Launch Revelations |url=http://www.sfx.co.uk/2013/03/18/doctor-who-press-launch-revelations/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130322022735/http://www.sfx.co.uk/2013/03/18/doctor-who-press-launch-revelations/ |archive-date=22 March 2013 |access-date=19 March 2013 |work=[[SFX (magazine)|SFX]]}}</ref> The book ''Once Upon a Time Lord: The Myths and Stories of Doctor Who'' speculated that a similar rationale was behind the lack of a return for the Yeti in the new series.{{Sfn|Phillips|2020|p=55}}

''Doctor Who''<nowiki/>'s [[Doctor Who series 11|eleventh series]], headed by Chris Chibnall as series showrunner, was the first time in the show's revival that a season or series lacked any returning monsters. Chibnall stated that this was done to focus on the future instead of the past of the show, allowing it to not be too reliant on past antagonists.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kelly |first=Stephen |date=22 September 2018 |title=Are the Daleks coming back to Doctor Who? Chris Chibnall says to stop asking him |url=https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/sci-fi/chris-chibnall-i-dont-know-how-many-times-i-need-to-say-it-there-are-no-old-monsters-this-series/ |access-date=23 July 2025 |website=[[Radio Times]]-GB |archive-date=8 September 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250908040246/https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/sci-fi/chris-chibnall-i-dont-know-how-many-times-i-need-to-say-it-there-are-no-old-monsters-this-series/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Subsequent series headed by Chibnall re-introduced several more alien species to the series, such as the Cybermen, the [[Ood]], the [[Weeping Angel|Weeping Angels]], and the Sontarans.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Coggan |first=Devan |date=15 October 2021 |title=New 'Doctor Who' trailer teases the return of some familiar monsters |url=https://ew.com/tv/doctor-who-season-13-trailer-jodie-whittaker/ |access-date=28 June 2025 |website=[[Entertainment Weekly]] |archive-date=31 May 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250531222320/https://ew.com/tv/doctor-who-season-13-trailer-jodie-whittaker/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Chibnall's era also saw the first return of the Sea Devils as antagonists in the show's revival.<ref name="Sea Devils Return">{{cite web |last=Jeffery |first=Morgan |date=1 January 2022 |title=The Sea Devils will return to Doctor Who in Spring 2022 special |url=https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/sci-fi/sea-devils-doctor-who-spring-special-newsupdate/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220101201818/https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/sci-fi/sea-devils-doctor-who-spring-special-newsupdate/ |archive-date=1 January 2022 |accessdate=5 September 2024 |work=[[Radio Times]]}}</ref> Russell T Davies succeeded Chibnall as showrunner, where he announced that major alien species, such as the Daleks and Cybermen, would be rested temporarily in favour of the series taking a different direction.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Anderton |first=Joe |date=7 April 2025 |title=Doctor Who confirms move away from Daleks and other classic monsters in "different step" |url=https://www.digitalspy.com/tv/a64403286/doctor-who-no-daleks-season-15/ |access-date=27 June 2025 |website=[[Digital Spy]]-GB |archive-date=3 July 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250703210918/https://www.digitalspy.com/tv/a64403286/doctor-who-no-daleks-season-15/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Davies' era saw the return of the Toymaker, Sutekh, and the [[Midnight Entity]].<ref name=":74" /><ref name=":75">{{Cite web |last=Tantimedh |first=Adi |date=21 June 2024 |title=Doctor Who: 12-Year-Old Russell T. Davies Had Plan for Sutekh Return |url=https://bleedingcool.com/tv/doctor-who-12-year-old-russell-t-davies-had-plan-for-sutekh-return/ |access-date=20 January 2026 |website=[[Bleeding Cool]] |archive-date=25 July 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250725093448/https://bleedingcool.com/tv/doctor-who-12-year-old-russell-t-davies-had-plan-for-sutekh-return/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name=":262" /> Davies later headed the 2025 ''Doctor Who'' spin-off television series ''[[The War Between the Land and the Sea]]'', which focused on a conflict between humanity and the Sea Devils.<ref name="THR Announce">{{cite web |last1=Vlessing |first1=Etan |last2=Gajewski |first2=Ryan |date=26 July 2024 |title=''Doctor Who'' Spinoff Officially Happening at Disney, BBC |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/doctor-who-spinoff-disney-bbc-1235959164/ |url-status=live |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20240727062950/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/doctor-who-spinoff-disney-bbc-1235959164/ |archivedate=27 July 2024 |accessdate=26 July 2024 |work=[[The Hollywood Reporter]]}}</ref>

== List of creatures and aliens == {{noprint|{{TOC top|title=Creatures and aliens|primary=false}} * [[#Aggedor|Aggedor]] * [[#Nestene Consciousness and Auton|Auton]] * [[#Bane|Bane]] * [[#Catkind|Catkind]] * [[#Clockwork Droid|Clockwork Droid]] * [[#Cyberman|Cyberman]] * [[#Dalek|Dalek]] * [[#Draconian|Draconian]] * [[#Eternal|Eternal]] * [[#Graske|Graske]] * [[#Great Intelligence|Great Intelligence]] * [[#Guardian|Guardian]] * [[#Harmony Shoal|Harmony Shoal]] * [[#Ice Warrior|Ice Warrior]] * [[#Judoon|Judoon]] * [[#Krillitane|Krillitane]] * [[#Krynoid|Krynoid]] * [[#Macra|Macra]] * [[#The Mara|Mara]] * [[#Mechonoid|Mechonoid]] * [[#Mentor|Mentor]] * [[#Midnight Entity|Midnight Entity]] * [[#Nestene Consciousness and Auton|Nestene Consciousness]] * [[#Ood|Ood]] * [[#The Pantheon|Pantheon]] * [[#Quark|Quark]] * [[#Raxicoricofallapatorian|Raxicoricofallapatorian]] * [[#Sycorax|Roboform]] * [[#Rutan|Rutan]] * [[#Sandminer Robot|Sandminer Robot]] * [[#Shadow Kin|Shadow Kin]] * [[#Silurian and Sea Devil|Sea Devil]] * [[#Silent|Silent]] * [[#Silurian and Sea Devil|Silurian]] * [[#Sisterhood of Karn|Sisterhood of Karn]] * [[#Sontaran|Sontaran]] * [[#Stenza|Stenza]] * [[#Sutekh|Sutekh]] * [[#Sycorax|Sycorax]] * [[#Thal|Thal]] * [[#Time Lord|Time Lord]] * [[#Tivolian|Tivolian]] * [[#The Toymaker|Toymaker]] * [[#The Trickster|Trickster]] * [[#Vashta Nerada|Vashta Nerada]] * [[#Voord|Voord]] * [[#Weeping Angel|Weeping Angel]] * [[#Weevil|Weevil]] * [[#Yeti|Yeti]] * [[#Zygon|Zygon]] {{TOC bottom}}}}

== Introduced from 1963–1969 ==

===Dalek=== {{Main|Dalek}} {{See also|Davros}} [[File:Tombaker1991london.jpg|alt=A blue, one-eyed robotic creature staring at a smiling, well-dressed man with gray hair|thumb|A Dalek (left) as pictured in a promotional photograph alongside actor [[Tom Baker]]]] The Daleks are a warmongering, [[Xenophobia|xenophobic]] race of mutant creatures who live within mobile battle armour, first appearing in ''[[The Daleks]]'' (1963-64).<ref name=":22">{{Cite web |date=1 November 2023 |title=Dalekmania - the story of Doctor Who from the BBC Archives |url=https://www.bbc.com/articles/cev7zy0grrlo |access-date=9 July 2024 |website=[[BBC]]-GB |archive-date=9 July 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240709004646/https://www.bbc.com/articles/cev7zy0grrlo |url-status=live }}</ref> In-universe, the Daleks hail from the planet [[Skaro]], and were created by a scientist named [[Davros]] as a way to survive and win a war between themselves and a species known as the Thals.<ref name=":162" /> They are life-long enemies of [[The Doctor (Doctor Who)|The Doctor]], and he is the only being whom they fear. The Daleks see themselves as the superior lifeforms in the universe, and seek to eliminate all other life for being "impure". The creatures inside of their casings resemble squids, with a single eye, exposed brain and many tentacles.<ref name=":22" /> In the show's 2005 revival, the Daleks fought the Doctor's species, the [[Time Lord|Time Lords]], in a conflict known as the [[Time War (Doctor Who)|Time War]], which resulted in the destruction of the Daleks and the Time Lords alike, with the Doctor the sole survivor. The Doctor eventually comes into conflict with Dalek survivors as the series progresses,<ref name="Gizmodo" /> and the Daleks are eventually revived in the episode "[[Victory of the Daleks]]" (2010).<ref>{{Cite news |last=Martin |first=Daniel |date=17 April 2010 |title=Doctor Who: Victory of the Daleks - series 31, episode three |url=https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/tvandradioblog/2010/apr/17/doctor-who-series-31-episode-three |access-date=9 July 2024 |work=[[The Guardian]]-GB |issn=0261-3077|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141121160455/https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/tvandradioblog/2010/apr/17/doctor-who-series-31-episode-three|archive-date=21 November 2014}}</ref>

The Daleks were created by [[Terry Nation]] and designed by the [[BBC]] designer [[Raymond Cusick]].<ref name=":44">{{Cite news |date=23 February 2013 |title=Doctor Who Dalek designer Ray Cusick dies after illness |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-21563344 |access-date=13 December 2024 |work=[[BBC]]-GB |archive-date=8 February 2026 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260208084032/https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-21563344 |url-status=live }}</ref> The Daleks were designed to appear inhuman, and to not appear as though they were men in suits.{{Sfn|Ainsworth|2015a|p=131}} Nation pulled from the cultural memory of [[World War II]] and the [[Nazism|Nazis]] in designing the Daleks, with many of the Daleks' actions and personality being allegories for the Nazis.<ref name=":423">{{Cite web |last=Tantimedh |first=Adi |date=29 November 2020 |title=Doctor Who: Your Friendly Reminder That Daleks Were Inspired by Nazis |url=https://bleedingcool.com/tv/doctor-who-your-friendly-reminder-that-daleks-were-inspired-by-nazis/ |access-date=14 December 2024 |website=[[Bleeding Cool]] |archive-date=14 December 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241214052612/https://bleedingcool.com/tv/doctor-who-your-friendly-reminder-that-daleks-were-inspired-by-nazis/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The Daleks acted as a highly recurring foe during ''Doctor Who''<nowiki/>'s classic era, and were among its most popular. During the 1960s, public popularity for the Daleks was high, with this era being referred to as "Dalekmania". Despite [[The Beatles]] going on-air during the Daleks' second appearance, the return of the Daleks saw a higher viewer count. The Daleks were merchandised heavily during this period and grew wildly popular.<ref name=":22" /> The Daleks have been described as British cultural icons,<ref name=":21">{{Cite news |last=Shuttleworth |first=Peter |date=19 November 2023 |title=When Doctor Who's Daleks beat The Beatles in TV ratings battle |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-wales-67417109 |access-date=9 July 2024 |work=[[BBC]]-GB |archive-date=9 July 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240709004646/https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-wales-67417109 |url-status=live }}</ref> and a 2008 survey by the ''[[National Trust]]'' stated that nine out of ten British children were able to identify a Dalek correctly.<ref>{{cite web |date=9 July 2008 |title=Wildlife is alien to a generation of indoor children |url=http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/main/w-global/w-news/w-latest_news/w-news-wildlife_alien.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100323195440/http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/main/w-global/w-news/w-latest_news/w-news-wildlife_alien.htm |archive-date=23 March 2010 |access-date=9 March 2010 |website=[[National Trust for Places of Historic Interest or Natural Beauty|National Trust]] |publisher=}}</ref>

==== Servants ==== Many different races have been used by the Daleks as servants in the series.<ref name=":27">{{Cite book |last=Scott |first=Cavan |url=https://www.google.com/books/edition/Doctor_Who_Who_ology/Okr1_6pV6cQC?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=%22Varga+Plant%22+-wikipedia&pg=PT158&printsec=frontcover |title=Doctor Who: Who-ology |last2=Wright |first2=Mark |date=7 June 2013 |publisher=[[Random House]] |isbn=978-1-4481-4125-8}}</ref> These include the Robomen, humans converted into Dalek servants, who appear in the 1964 serial ''[[The Dalek Invasion of Earth]]'',<ref>{{Cite book |last=Cartmel |first=Andrew |url=https://www.google.com/books/edition/Through_Time/9yzLe5TiYJsC?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=%22Robomen%22+++%22Doctor+Who%22+-wikipedia&pg=PA37&printsec=frontcover |title=Through Time: An Unauthorised and Unofficial History of Doctor Who |date=20 December 2005 |publisher=[[A&C Black]] |isbn=978-0-8264-1734-3 |pages=37}}</ref> as well as the serial's 1966 film adaptation ''[[Daleks' Invasion Earth 2150 A.D.]]'',<ref>{{Cite book |last=Neighbors |first=R. C. |url=https://www.google.com/books/edition/The_Galaxy_Is_Rated_G/2g3tykXo_DgC?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=%22Robomen%22+++%22Daleks'+Invasion+Earth+2150+A.D.%22+-wikipedia&pg=PA105&printsec=frontcover |title=The Galaxy Is Rated G: Essays on Children's Science Fiction Film and Television |last2=Rankin |first2=Sandy |date=31 August 2011 |publisher=[[McFarland Publishing]] |isbn=978-0-7864-8801-8 |pages=105}}</ref> the Varga Plants, plant-based lifeforms that turn those they prick into half-plant, half-animal hybrids, which appear in the serials ''[[Mission to the Unknown]]'' (1965) and ''[[The Daleks' Master Plan]]'' (1966),<ref name=":27" /> the Ogrons, brutish figures who aid the Daleks in the 1972 serial ''[[Day of the Daleks]]''<ref>{{cite book |last1=Wood |first1=Tat |title=About Time, volume 3: 1970-1974 |date=2009 |publisher=[[Mad Norwegian Press]] |isbn=978-0-9759446-7-7 |edition=2nd |page=200 |chapter=9.1: Day of the Daleks}}</ref> and later the Daleks' ally [[The Master (Doctor Who)|the Master]] in the 1973 serial ''[[Frontier in Space]]'',<ref>{{Cite web |last=Mulkern |first=Patrick |date=27 January 2010 |title=Frontier in Space ★★★★ |url=https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/sci-fi/doctor-who-guide/frontier-in-space/ |access-date=25 July 2025 |website=[[Radio Times]]-GB |archive-date=8 June 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250608114030/https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/sci-fi/doctor-who-guide/frontier-in-space/ |url-status=live }}</ref> and the Dalek Puppets, living beings converted by [[Nanotechnology|nano-technology]] into servants by the Daleks, which appear in the 2012 episode "[[Asylum of the Daleks]]",<ref name=":34">{{Cite book |last=Calvert |first=Bronwen |url=https://www.google.com/books/edition/Being_Bionic/MbqKDwAAQBAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=%22Dalek+Puppet%22+++%22Doctor+Who%22+-wikipedia&pg=PA33&printsec=frontcover |title=Being Bionic: The World of TV Cyborgs |date=30 January 2017 |publisher=[[Bloomsbury Publishing]] |isbn=978-1-78673-102-9 |pages=33-34}}</ref> the 2013 episode "[[The Time of the Doctor]]"<ref name=":34" /> and the 2015 episode "[[The Magician's Apprentice (Doctor Who)|The Magician's Apprentice]]".<ref>{{cite episode |title=The Magician's Apprentice |episode-link=The Magician's Apprentice (Doctor Who) |series=Doctor Who |series-link=Doctor Who |network=BBC |station=BBC1 |airdate=19 September 2015 |credits=Writer [[Steven Moffat]], Director [[Hettie MacDonald]], Producer [[Peter Bennett (producer)|Peter Bennett]]}}</ref>

=== Thal === {{See also|The Daleks|l1=''The Daleks''|Planet of the Daleks|l2=''Planet of the Daleks''|Genesis of the Daleks|l3=''Genesis of the Daleks''}}

The Thals are a race of peaceful, [[Blond|blonde]] humanoids first seen in ''The Daleks'' (1963-64) who are natives of the planet Skaro. Once a warlike species, a nuclear conflict with the Daleks, which nearly wiped out all life on their home planet, led them to develop a pacifist, [[Agrarianism|agrarian]] society. In their debut serial, the Thals aid the [[First Doctor]] and his companions in stopping the Daleks.{{Sfn|Nicol|2018|pp=166–171}} The Thals re-appear in 1973's ''[[Planet of the Daleks]]'', during which they help the Third Doctor in fighting the Daleks on the planet Spiridon.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Braxton |first=Mark |title=Planet of the Daleks ★★★ |url=https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/sci-fi/doctor-who-guide/planet-of-the-daleks/ |access-date=18 August 2025 |website=[[Radio Times]]-GB |archive-date=12 June 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250612155059/https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/sci-fi/doctor-who-guide/planet-of-the-daleks/ |url-status=live }}</ref> In 1975's ''[[Genesis of the Daleks]]'', set during the nuclear conflict with the Daleks, the Thals are depicted fighting the Kaleds, the race that will become the Daleks, although in combat they are depicted as being just as evil as them during the war.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Lewis |first=Courtland |url=https://www.google.com/books/edition/Doctor_Who_and_Philosophy/ShPnLHcKqUwC?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=%22Skaro%22+-wikipedia&pg=PA9&printsec=frontcover |title=Doctor Who and Philosophy: Bigger on the Inside |last2=Smithka |first2=Paula |date=22 October 2010 |publisher=[[Open Court]] |isbn=978-0-8126-9725-4 |pages=180-181 |archive-date=8 December 2024 |access-date=22 January 2026 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241208181832/https://www.google.com/books/edition/Doctor_Who_and_Philosophy/ShPnLHcKqUwC?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=%22Skaro%22+-wikipedia&pg=PA9&printsec=frontcover |url-status=live }}</ref> The Thals also appear in 1965's ''[[Dr. Who and the Daleks]]'', a film adaptation of ''The Daleks''.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Hunter |first=I. Q. |url=https://www.google.com/books/edition/British_Science_Fiction_Cinema/Rm-GAgAAQBAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=%22Thal%22+++%22Doctor+Who%22+-wikipedia&pg=PA124&printsec=frontcover |title=British Science Fiction Cinema |date=4 January 2002 |publisher=[[Routledge]] |isbn=978-1-134-70276-3 |pages=124}}</ref>

In the original storyline of ''The Daleks,'' the Thals were conceived of as malformed figures whom the Daleks believed to be responsible for the nuclear devastation of the planet, though in the end it would have been revealed that neither side started the war, with an unnamed third party doing so instead. This was changed during development, with the Thals' backstory being altered. The third party was removed, with both sides being made responsible for the nuclear conflict.{{Sfn|Ainsworth|2015a|pp=118–119}} The Thals additionally were made into handsome figures, being almost entirely male, with one "gorgeous woman" being added to the lineup to showcase the beauty of their species.{{Sfn|Ainsworth|2015a|p=126}} 1973's ''Planet of the Daleks'' saw the return of the Thals, who were made more militaristic in nature; this characterisation in this serial was stated to be done to reflect the events of ''The Daleks'', and how the Thals had grown more warlike to confront them.{{Sfn|Ainsworth|2016r|p=18}}

The Thals appear in the 1997 novel ''[[War of the Daleks]]'' and the 2004 novel ''[[The Dalek Factor]],'' which depict individual groups of Thals confronting the Daleks.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Peel |first=John |title=[[War of the Daleks]] |date=6 October 1997 |publisher=[[BBC Books]] |isbn=0-563-40573-2}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Clark |first=Simon |title=[[The Dalek Factor]] |date=18 March 2004 |publisher=[[Telos Publishing]] |isbn=1-903889-30-8}}</ref> The Thals appear in the audio drama series ''[[I, Davros]]''.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Fleiner |first=Carey |url=https://www.google.com/books/edition/Doctor_Who_and_History/9agsDwAAQBAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=%22Thal%22+++%22Audio%22+++%22Doctor+Who%22+-wikipedia&pg=PA122&printsec=frontcover |title=Doctor Who and History: Critical Essays on Imagining the Past |last2=October |first2=Dene |date=19 July 2017 |publisher=[[McFarland Publishing]] |isbn=978-1-4766-2981-0 |pages=122}}</ref> Thals also appear in several audio dramas, including 2000's ''[[The Mutant Phase]],''<ref>{{Cite AV media |url= |title=[[The Mutant Phase]] |date=18 December 2000 |last=Briggs |first=Nicholas |type=audio drama |isbn=978-1-90365-421-7|author-link=Nicholas Briggs|publisher=[[Big Finish Productions]]}}</ref> 2008's ''[[Brotherhood of the Daleks]],''<ref>{{Cite AV media |url= |title=[[Brotherhood of the Daleks]] |date=October 2008 |last=Barnes |first=Alan |type=audio drama |isbn=978-1-84435-323-1|publisher=[[Big Finish Productions]]}}</ref> and 2015's ''[[We Are The Daleks|We Are the Daleks]].''<ref>{{Cite AV media |url= |title=[[We Are The Daleks]] |date=9 July 2015 |last=Morris |first=Johnathan |type=audio drama |isbn=978-1-78178-541-6|publisher=[[Big Finish Productions]]}}</ref>

=== Voord === {{See also|The Keys of Marinus|l1=''The Keys of Marinus''}}

The Voord are a race of amphibious humanoids introduced in the 1964 serial ''[[The Keys of Marinus]]''. The Voord are enigmatic, mysterious humanoids in black [[Wetsuit|wetsuits]].{{Sfn|Phillips|2020|pp=83–91}} They attempted to work with their leader, Yartek, to gain the titular keys in order to obtain the Conscience of Marinus, which they sought to use for antagonistic purposes. They are defeated when Yartek takes a fake key, resulting in his death.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Wood |first1=Tat |title=About Time, volume 1: 1963-1966 |last2=Miles |first2=Lawrence |date=2006 |publisher=[[Mad Norwegian Press]] |isbn=0-9759446-0-6 |page=59 |chapter=1.5: The Keys of Marinus}}</ref>

The Voord were created by [[Terry Nation]], who had also created the Daleks, with costume designer Daphne Dare creating the visual design for the creatures.<ref name=":152" /> They were designed based on the wetsuit used for their costumes, with [[beetle]]-like aspects resulting in a "probe" on their helmets. Yartek was given a different design from other Voord in order to allow for easier communication of his lines.<ref name=":69">{{Cite book |last=Ainsworth |first=John |title=Doctor Who: The Complete History: Marco Polo – The Keys of Marinus – The Aztecs |date=15 June 2016 |publisher=[[Hachette Partworks]], [[Panini Publishing]]. |issn=2057-6048|pages=109-110|year=2016f}}</ref> The species was marketed extensively and were an attempt to recapture the popularity of the Daleks, though these attempts were not as successful as the Daleks.<ref name=":152" />

The Voord received significant expansion to their backstory and history in spin-off media.{{Sfn|Phillips|2020|pp=83–91}} They appeared in a series of [[trading cards]] put out by Cadet Sweets with their [[Candy cigarette|candy cigarettes]]. The cards told a story in which the Voord were defeated by the Daleks. The species later appeared in 1965 comic ''The Fishmen of Kandalinga'', where a surviving group from Marinus attempt to utilise the titular Fishmen as a workforce and food source. They are stopped by the First Doctor.{{Sfn|Phillips|2020|pp=83–91}} In the 1987 comic story ''The World Shapers,'' they are stated to have evolved into [[Cyberman|Cybermen]], with Marinus becoming the Cybermen's home planet of [[Mondas]]. The events of the comic strip were later referenced in the 2017 episode "[[The Doctor Falls]]", where the [[Twelfth Doctor]] refers to Marinus as one of the planets the Cybermen originated from.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Jeffery |first=Morgan |date=2 January 2020 |title=Are the monsters in Doctor Who: Spyfall actually the Voord? |url=https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/sci-fi/doctor-who-monsters-spyfall-voord/ |access-date=5 July 2024 |website=[[Radio Times]]-GB |archive-date=16 September 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240916075054/https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/sci-fi/doctor-who-monsters-spyfall-voord/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The Voord later appeared in the 2014 audio drama ''[[Domain of the Voord]]'', in which the First Doctor and his companions fight against an invading group of Voord on a spaceship known as the Hydra. The drama greatly expands on Voord culture, revealing that they convert others into themselves via the black suits they wear, prolonging lifespan and granting them psychic powers. The later 2015 drama ''Beachhead'' also elaborated on the Voord's past.{{Sfn|Phillips|2020|pp=83–91}} The 2015 [[Titan Comics]] strip ''Four Doctors'' focuses on the Voord following the Time War, which showed that they helped fight the Daleks in the conflict, evolving the species into a more powerful state. An alternate Twelfth Doctor attempted to lure his past selves to Marinus to ensure he would become a member of the species, but his plan is thwarted.<ref name=":20">{{Cite comic |date=19 August-23 September 2015 |title=Four Doctors |story=Four Doctors |publisher=[[Titan Comics]] |writer=[[Paul Cornell|Cornell, Paul]] |artist=Edwards, Neil}}</ref> They appear in the 2024 audio drama ''Coda - The Final Act'', which depicts them alongside the [[Fugitive Doctor]],<ref>{{Cite AV media |url= |title=Coda - The Final Act |date=22 November 2024 |last=Foley |first=Tim |type=audio drama |isbn=978-1-80240-091-5|publisher=[[Big Finish Productions]]}}</ref> and the 2025 audio drama ''The Voord Alliance'', which depicts the character [[Susan Foreman]] allying with a group of Voord to fight the Daleks during the Time War.<ref>{{Cite AV media |url= |title=The Voord Alliance |date=18 March 2025 |last=Smith |first=Andrew |type=audio drama |isbn=978-1-80240-391-6|publisher=[[Big Finish Productions]]}}</ref>

=== Mechonoid === {{See also|The Chase (Doctor Who)|l1=''The Chase'' (''Doctor Who'')}}

Mechonoids, also referred to as Mechanoids,{{Sfn|Ainsworth|2016a|p=100}} are large, multifaceted, spherical robots created by humans. They first appear in the 1965 serial [[The Chase (Doctor Who)|''The Chase'']], which depicts them having been sent to prepare the planet Mechanus for colonisation. While working on the colonisation task, they imprison stranded astronaut [[Steven Taylor (Doctor Who)|Steven Taylor]]. A group of Daleks, pursuing the Doctor and his companions, engaged the Mechonoids in battle, allowing both them and Steven to escape.{{Sfn|Kenneth Muir|2007|p=108}}

During production the Mechonoids were originally called Mechons, but this was changed so that they would not be confused with a villain named [[the Mekon]] from the ''[[Dan Dare]]'' comics. However, there is a reference to "Mechons" in the finished serial, because the name was changed after the pre-recorded Dalek dialogue was taped.{{Sfn|Ainsworth|2016a|p=74}} Due to a hope they would be able to match the Daleks in terms of popularity, considerable effort and budget was put into the Mechonoid props,{{Sfn|Ainsworth|2016a|p=74}} and they were marketed extensively. Despite this, they were not as successful as the Daleks.<ref name=":152" /> The Mechonoid props were over five feet long, and as a result were considered too cumbersome and hard to move, resulting in the Mechonoids not returning in the television series.{{Sfn|Ainsworth|2016a|p=101}}

The Mechonoids appeared in comics published by ''[[TV Century 21]]'' from 1965 to 1966, often facing against the Daleks.{{Sfn|Ainsworth|2016a|pp=108–109}} They also appear in another 1960s comic, ''The World That Waits'', where they fight the Daleks.<ref>{{Cite comic |date=11 October 1965 |story=The World That Waits |publisher=[[Souvenir Press]] |writer=[[David Whitaker (screenwriter)|Whitaker, David]], [[Terry Nation|Nation, Terry]]}}</ref> The Mechonoids appear in the 2005 audio drama ''[[The Juggernauts]]'', where several broken Mechonoids are repaired and made into the titular "Juggernauts" as weapons by the Daleks' creator, [[Davros]].<ref>{{Cite AV media |url= |title=[[The Juggernauts]] |date=15 January 2005 |last=Alan Woodard |first=Scott |type=audio drama |isbn=978-1-78178-768-7|publisher=[[Big Finish Productions]]}}</ref> They also appear in the 2021 audio dramas ''House of Kingdom'' and ''Queen of the Mechonoids''.<ref>{{Cite AV media |url= |title=The House of Kingdom |date=14 April 2021 |last=Smith |first=Andrew |type=audio drama |isbn=978-1-83868-357-3|author-link=Andrew Smith (British writer)|publisher=[[Big Finish Productions]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite AV media |url= |title=Queen of the Mechonoids |date=27 January 2021 |last=Morris |first=Johnathan |type=audio drama |isbn=978-1-83868-289-7|publisher=[[Big Finish Productions]]}}</ref> The Mechonoids also appear in ''[[Daleks!]]'', a 2020 web series published as part of the ''[[Time Lord Victorious]]'' multimedia crossover story. In the story, the Daleks, on the run from a powerful threat, are forced to ally with the Mechonoids in order to stand a chance against it.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Flook |first=Ray |date=26 November 2020 |title=Doctor Who: Desperate "Daleks!" Turn to the Mechanoids for Help |url=https://bleedingcool.com/tv/doctor-who-desperate-daleks-turn-to-the-mechanoids-for-help/ |access-date=18 August 2025 |website=[[Bleeding Cool]] |archive-date=26 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201126182643/https://bleedingcool.com/tv/doctor-who-desperate-daleks-turn-to-the-mechanoids-for-help/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

=== The Toymaker === {{See also|The Celestial Toymaker|The Giggle|label 1=''The Celestial Toymaker''}} {{Multiple image | align = right | total_width = 300 | image1 = Dracula (1958) trailer - Michael Gough (cropped & flipped) (2).png | image2 = NeilPatrickHarris-byPhilipRomano.jpg | footer = The Toymaker was portrayed by [[Michael Gough]] (left) in ''[[The Celestial Toymaker]]'' (1966), and by [[Neil Patrick Harris]] (right) in "[[The Giggle]]". }}

The Toymaker is an [[Immortality|immortal]], cosmic being who first appears in 1966's ''[[The Celestial Toymaker]]''. The Toymaker uses his powers to force those who enter his realm, the Celestial Toyroom, to play games with their lives on the line. The Toymaker is beaten by the First Doctor, which allows the Doctor to escape the Toymaker.{{Sfn|Kistler|2013|pp=64–65}}<ref name=":8">{{Cite web |last=Bui |first=Hoai-Tran |date=23 September 2023 |title=57 Years Later, A Forgotten Sci-Fi Villain Is Making an Unexpected Comeback |url=https://www.inverse.com/entertainment/doctor-who-60th-anniversary-trailer-celestial-toymaker-neil-patrick-harris |access-date=20 January 2026 |website=[[Inverse (website)|Inverse]] |archive-date=8 December 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251208045040/https://www.inverse.com/entertainment/doctor-who-60th-anniversary-trailer-celestial-toymaker-neil-patrick-harris |url-status=live }}</ref> The Toymaker later returns in 2023 episode "[[The Giggle]]", which depicts the Toymaker escaping his realm and entering the universe, where he causes chaos. The [[Fourteenth Doctor]] confronts the Toymaker and challenges him to a game to force him to leave, but the Doctor loses. The Doctor is able to make the Toymaker agree to a [[best of three]], which the [[Fourteenth Doctor]] and his [[Fifteenth Doctor|Fifteenth incarnation]] are able to win by working together Due to his loss, the Toymaker is sealed away.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Johnston |first=Dais |date=11 May 2024 |title=58 Years Later, 'Doctor Who's Most Mysterious Villain is Getting a Big Upgrade |url=https://www.inverse.com/entertainment/doctor-who-toymaker-legions-villain-arc |access-date=20 January 2026 |website=[[Inverse (website)|Inverse]] |archive-date=16 October 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251016060354/https://www.inverse.com/entertainment/doctor-who-toymaker-legions-villain-arc |url-status=live }}</ref> [[Maestro (Doctor Who)|Maestro]], a character stated to be the child of the Toymaker, appears as the main antagonist of the 2024 episode "[[The Devil's Chord]]".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Edwards |first=Richard |date=17 May 2024 |title=Who is the 'Doctor Who' villain Maestro? And what's their relationship with the Toymaker? |url=https://www.space.com/who-is-the-doctor-who-villain-maestro |access-date=20 January 2026 |website=[[Space.com|Space]] |archive-date=4 February 2026 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260204005750/https://www.space.com/who-is-the-doctor-who-villain-maestro |url-status=live }}</ref>

The Toymaker was created by writer [[Brian Hayles]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Mulkern |first=Patrick |date=20 February 2018 |title=Doctor Who: the creators of the Daleks, Cybermen and Ice Warriors – revealed |url=https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/entertainment/doctor-who-the-creators-of-the-daleks-cybermen-and-ice-warriors-revealed/ |access-date=20 January 2026 |website=[[Radio Times]]-GB |archive-date=2 March 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210302111331/https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/entertainment/doctor-who-the-creators-of-the-daleks-cybermen-and-ice-warriors-revealed/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The Toymaker was stated by [[Donald Tosh]], who was a writer on the Toymaker's debut story, to have originally been conceived of as a member of the Doctor's people prior to the later invention of the [[Time Lord|Time Lords]]. As the Time Lords' role expanded, subsequent spin-off media for the series described the Toymaker as a more cosmic force separate from them, which later was expanded upon in different forms of media.{{Sfn|Kistler|2013|pp=64–65}} The Toymaker wore an outfit of Chinese origin; several retrospective sources have described this as being racist and relying on negative Chinese stereotypes.<ref name=":8" /><ref>{{Cite web |last=Farnell |first=Chris |date=25 September 2023 |title=Want to Watch The Toymaker’s Original Doctor Who Episodes? Sorry, Not Possible! |url=https://www.denofgeek.com/tv/want-to-watch-the-toymakers-original-doctor-who-episodes-sorry-not-possible/ |access-date=20 January 2026 |website=[[Den of Geek]]-US |archive-date=8 December 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251208225910/https://www.denofgeek.com/tv/want-to-watch-the-toymakers-original-doctor-who-episodes-sorry-not-possible/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Tantimedh |first=Adi |date=3 July 2022 |title=Doctor Who: Does the Celestial Toymaker Really Need A Comeback? |url=https://bleedingcool.com/tv/doctor-who-does-the-celestial-toymaker-really-need-a-comeback/ |access-date=20 January 2026 |website=[[Bleeding Cool]] |archive-date=19 August 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220819135355/https://bleedingcool.com/tv/doctor-who-does-the-celestial-toymaker-really-need-a-comeback/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Though there were multiple plans to bring back the Toymaker during the show's original run, none of them came to fruition.{{Sfn|Kistler|2013|pp=64–65}}

[[Russell T Davies]] later brought the Toymaker back for "The Giggle". Due to the inclusion of a puppet in the episode, Davies wanted to incorporate a puppet master pulling strings, which inspired Davies to use the Toymaker as an antagonist.<ref name="Doctor Who-2023a">{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X9WI4kZ7Ubk |title=The Giggle: Behind the Scenes |date=9 December 2023 |last=Doctor Who |type=Behind the scenes featurette |access-date=28 June 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240616071133/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X9WI4kZ7Ubk |archive-date=16 June 2024 |url-status=live |via=[[YouTube]]}}</ref> The Toymaker utilises various different accents throughout the episode, which Davies explained was due to the fact that the Toymaker used stereotypical Chinese elements in the character's original appearance. Davies stated that he did not wish to "whitewash" the Toymaker, and thus expanded on the concept by having the Toymaker "playing with race" as a weapon in order to make the Toymaker a fundamentally evil character without ignoring racist caricatures present in the Toymaker's original serial.<ref name=":74">{{Cite web |last=Anderton |first=Joe |date=11 December 2023 |title=Doctor Who boss explains deliberate reason for Toymaker's changing accents |url=https://www.digitalspy.com/tv/a46089140/doctor-who-toymaker-changing-accents/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240616071101/https://www.digitalspy.com/tv/a46089140/doctor-who-toymaker-changing-accents/ |archive-date=16 June 2024 |access-date=28 June 2024 |website=[[Digital Spy]]-GB}}</ref> The Toymaker was portrayed by [[Michael Gough]] in his original 1966 television appearance, and by [[Neil Patrick Harris]] in 2023.<ref name=":8" />

The Toymaker appears in several audio dramas in the ''[[Doctor Who: The Fourth Doctor Adventures]]'' range, where a female incarnation (Voiced by [[Annette Badland]]) appears.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Mensah |first=Katelyn |date=8 February 2024 |title=Tom Baker's Doctor takes on new, female Toymaker – see BTS pics |url=https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/sci-fi/tom-baker-female-toymaker-bts-pics-exclusive-newsupdate/ |access-date=20 January 2026 |website=[[Radio Times]]-GB |archive-date=10 February 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250210015630/https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/sci-fi/tom-baker-female-toymaker-bts-pics-exclusive-newsupdate/ |url-status=live }}</ref> He also appears in the 2009 audio story ''[[The Magic Mousetrap]]'', which depicts him facing off against the [[Seventh Doctor]]. The Toymaker has appeared in numerous comic stories for the series, and also appears in the 1999 novel [[Divided Loyalties (Doctor Who)|''Divided Loyalties'']].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Lovett |first=Jamie |date=6 November 2023 |title=Doctor Who Showrunner Teases Neil Patrick Harris' "Terrifying" Villain |url=https://comicbook.com/tv-shows/news/docotr-who-special-villain-toymaker-neil-patrick-harris-terrifying/ |access-date=20 January 2026 |website=[[ComicBook.com]]-US |archive-date=18 July 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240718125955/https://comicbook.com/tv-shows/news/docotr-who-special-villain-toymaker-neil-patrick-harris-terrifying/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

===Cyberman=== {{Main|Cyberman}}

The Cybermen are a race of cyborgs that first appeared in the 1966 serial ''[[The Tenth Planet]]''. Having removed all emotion, the Cybermen repeatedly attempt a variety of plans, often endangering humanity. The Cybermen originate as humans from Earth's twin planet Mondas who cybernetically enhanced themselves to avoid death, and one of their goals in the series is to convert others into Cybermen. The Cybermen recur throughout the show's original run, frequently being considered the show's second most popular and iconic monster after the Daleks.<ref name=":08">{{Cite journal |last=Geraghty |first=Lincoln |date=June 2008 |title=From Balaclavas to Jumpsuits: The Multiple Histories and Identities of "Doctor Who's" Cybermen |journal=Atlantis |volume=30 |issue=1 |pages=85-100 |issn=0210-6124 |via=JSTOR}}</ref> In the show's 2005 revival, the Cybermen originate from a parallel Earth, though the Cybermen of the Doctor's universe end up taking over as antagonists in subsequent appearances.<ref name=":16" />

The Cyberman concept was created by Dr. [[Kit Pedler]] and [[Gerry Davis (screenwriter)|Gerry Davis]] in 1966, based around the ideas of the ethical issues present in innovations in [[prosthesis]],<ref name=":16">{{Cite web |last=Kelly |first=Stephen |date=23 February 2020 |title=To Mondas and back again: a brief history of the Cybermen in Doctor Who |url=https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/sci-fi/cybermen-doctor-who-history-background/ |access-date=30 June 2024 |website=[[Radio Times]]-GB |archive-date=23 April 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210423022409/https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/sci-fi/cybermen-doctor-who-history-background/ |url-status=live }}</ref> with concerns of reaching a point in prosthetic surgery that it would be hard to determine how much of the original human remained.<ref name=":08" /> The Cybermen's popularity allowed for a quick return to the series,<ref name=":610">{{Cite magazine |date=March 2014 |editor-last=Hearn |editor-first=Marcus |title=The Essential Doctor Who: Cybermen |magazine=The Essential Doctor Who |issue=1|isbn=978-1-84653-198-9}}</ref> and the Cybermen subsequently recured frequently, with their design often changing from episode to episode.<ref name=":16" />

Smaller creatures, dubbed Cybermats, are first introduced in 1967's ''[[The Tomb of the Cybermen]].<ref>{{cite book |last1=Wood |first1=Tat |title=About Time, volume 2: 1966-1969 |last2=Miles |first2=Lawrence |date=2007 |publisher=[[Mad Norwegian Press]] |isbn=978-0-9759446-1-5 |page=120 |chapter=5.1: Tomb of the Cybermen}}</ref>'' They act as scouts for the Cybermen in that serial, and in groups can convert other lifeforms into Cybermen.<ref name=":26">{{Cite book |last=Prescott |first=Tara |url=https://www.google.com/books/edition/Neil_Gaiman_in_the_21st_Century/RoyoBgAAQBAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=%22Cybermat%22+-wikipedia&pg=PA101&printsec=frontcover |title=Neil Gaiman in the 21st Century: Essays on the Novels, Children's Stories, Online Writings, Comics and Other Works |date=19 March 2015 |publisher=[[McFarland Publishing]] |isbn=978-0-7864-9477-4 |pages=101-103}}</ref> The Cybermats recur throughout the series, with each appearance giving them different abilities, such as the ability to poison those it attacks, or with the incorporation of organic teeth to chomp at its enemies.<ref name=":27" /> An even smaller variant used for conversion, dubbed the Cybermites, are introduced in the 2013 episode "[[Nightmare in Silver]]".<ref name=":26" />

=== Macra === {{See also|The Macra Terror|l1=''The Macra Terror''|Gridlock (Doctor Who)|l2="Gridlock" (''Doctor Who'')}}

The Macra are an intelligent, giant, [[crab]]-like species who have an interstellar empire, being referred to as "the scourge of the galaxy".<ref name=":40" /> The Macra depend and feed on gas in order to live.{{Sfn|Nicol|2018|pp=171–174}} The Macra first appear in a cameo in the 1967 serial ''[[The Moonbase]]'', during which a Macra claw is seen on a viewing screen on the TARDIS at the end of the serial.{{Sfn|Ainsworth|2017a|p=17}} They appear in the subsequent serial ''[[The Macra Terror]]'' (1967). In the serial the Macra's home planet was colonised by humans, and the Macra subsequently manipulate the human colonists behind the scenes to mine gas for them. The Second Doctor is able to reveal the Macra's presence, staging a revolution against them. An explosion in the colony's control centre destroys the Macra.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Wood |first1=Tat |title=About Time, volume 2: 1966-1969 |last2=Miles |first2=Lawrence |date=2007 |publisher=[[Mad Norwegian Press]] |isbn=978-0-9759446-1-5 |pages=80–81 |chapter=4.7: The Macra Terror}}</ref> The Macra re-appear in the 2007 episode "[[Gridlock (Doctor Who)|Gridlock]]", set many billions of years into the future. The Macra had "devolved", losing their intellect and becoming significantly larger. The Macra took up residence in the New New York City motorway, which had become filled with exhaust fumes of cars unable to escape the motorway.<ref name=":7">{{Cite book |last=Burk |first=Graeme |url=https://www.google.com/books/edition/Who_Is_the_Doctor/QDG3kiYc45AC?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=%22Macra%22+++%22Doctor+Who%22+++%22Gridlock%22&pg=PT198&printsec=frontcover |title=Who Is the Doctor: The Unofficial Guide to Doctor Who: The New Series |last2=Smith? |first2=Stacey |author-link2=Stacey Smith? |date=1 September 2018 |publisher=[[ECW Press]] |isbn=978-1-77090-239-8}}</ref> [[File:Macrocheira kaempferi.jpg|alt=A long, spindly crab-like creature. It has six legs and two pincer-like arms.|thumb|A Macrocheira kaempferi as pictured in 2006]] The Macra were created by writer [[Ian Stuart Black]].{{Sfn|Ainsworth|2017a|pp=14–15}} ''The Macra Terror''<nowiki/>'s antagonists were originally "insect men" but were changed to the crab-like Macra partway through development<ref>{{Cite web |last=Braxton |first=Mark |date=31 May 2009 |title=The Macra Terror ★★★★ |url=https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/sci-fi/doctor-who-guide/the-macra-terror/ |access-date=21 May 2025 |website=[[Radio Times]]-GB |archive-date=12 May 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250512151814/https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/sci-fi/doctor-who-guide/the-macra-terror/ |url-status=live }}</ref> to avoid confusion with another alien species called the [[Zarbi]]. Their names hailed from the [[Macrocheira kaempferi]], also known as the Japanese spider crab, which is the largest known [[crustacean]] in the world.{{Sfn|Ainsworth|2017a|p=17}} Despite changes to the script to accommodate for the Macra being crabs, they were still referred to as insects at times. The Macra prop used in the serial was over ten feet tall, being controlled by a single operator inside. The prop's eyes glowed when it was active and did not when the Macra were inactive.{{Sfn|Ainsworth|2017a|pp=22–23}} Their re-appearance in "Gridlock" was due to then-showrunner [[Russell T Davies]] wanting to bring back a largely forgotten monster. Originally set in the seas of the planet [[New Earth (Doctor Who)|New Earth]], the episode was to feature giant crabs, which Davies decided to eventually make into Macra. As the story evolved and the sea element was dropped, transitioning to the episode's motorway environment, Davies elected to keep the Macra, as the Macra feeding on gas allowed them to still function in this new version of the story. One scrapped idea was of small baby Macra who were planned to have eaten passengers in the motorway. The Macra in this episode were portrayed entirely via [[computer-generated imagery]], unlike the original prop-operated Macra.{{Sfn|Ainsworth|2015c|p=15}}

Macra appear in the 2010 spin-off [[Choose Your Own Adventure]] novel ''Claws of the Macra,''<ref>{{Cite book |last=Baxendale |first=Trevor |title=Claws of the Macra |date=29 April 2010 |publisher=[[BBC Books]] |isbn=978-1-4059-0685-2}}</ref> and also appear in a 2016 back-up comic strip titled ''Surfshock''.<ref>{{Cite comic |date=25 May 2016 |title=Doctor Who: The Twelfth Doctor |story=Surfshock |issue=6 |publisher=[[Titan Comics]] |writer=Bell, Colin |artist=Slorance, Neil}}</ref> === Great Intelligence === {{See also|The Abominable Snowmen|The Web of Fear|The Snowmen (Doctor Who)|The Bells of Saint John|The Name of the Doctor|label 1=''The Abominable Snowmen''|label 2=''The Web of Fear''|label 3="The Snowmen (''Doctor Who'')"|label 4="The Bells of Saint John"|label 5="The Name of the Doctor"}} The Great Intelligence is a disembodied being who first appears in the 1967 serial ''[[The Abominable Snowmen]]'' and serves as a recurring antagonist in the series. In its debut serial, the Intelligence attempted to attack a Tibetan monastery using its robotic creations, the Yeti (see below). The Intelligence subsequently appeared in the 1968 serial ''[[The Web of Fear]],'' where it attempted to invade the [[London Underground]] using its Yeti minions.<ref name=":111">{{Cite book |last=Burk |first=Graeme |url=https://www.google.com/books/edition/Who_Is_The_Doctor_2/rYPCDwAAQBAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=%22Mission+to+Magnus%22+-wikipedia&pg=PT95&printsec=frontcover |title=Who Is The Doctor 2: The Unofficial Guide to Doctor Who — The Modern Series |last2=Smith? |first2=Stacey |author-link2=Stacey Smith? |date=17 March 2020 |publisher=[[ECW Press]] |isbn=978-1-77305-470-4 |archive-date=15 August 2025 |access-date=22 January 2026 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250815211250/https://www.google.com/books/edition/Who_Is_The_Doctor_2/rYPCDwAAQBAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=%22Mission+to+Magnus%22+-wikipedia&pg=PT95&printsec=frontcover |url-status=live }}</ref> The Intelligence later appears in the 2012 episode "[[The Snowmen]]", where it takes the form of "intelligent snow" in [[Victorian England]] and manipulates the mind of a man named Walter Simeon into helping it conquer the Earth. The Intelligence then proceeds with another plan in the twenty-first century to kidnap the minds of people using the [[Wi-Fi]] in the 2013 episode "[[The Bells of Saint John]]". The 2013 episode "[[The Name of the Doctor]]" sees the Intelligence, seeking revenge against the Doctor for its various defeats, taking the form of Simeon and capturing friends of the [[Eleventh Doctor]] in order to lure the Doctor to his tomb. The Intelligence seeks to use the tomb to access the Doctor's history, where it will rewrite the Doctor's victories into defeats. The Intelligence is defeated by the Doctor's companion [[Clara Oswald]], who undoes the damage caused by the Intelligence.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Hall |first=Richard A. |url=https://www.google.com/books/edition/Robots_in_Popular_Culture/-krEEAAAQBAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=great+intelligence+doctor+who&pg=PA147&printsec=frontcover |title=Robots in Popular Culture: Androids and Cyborgs in the American Imagination |date=12 July 2021 |publisher=[[Bloomsbury Publishing]] |isbn=978-1-4408-7385-0 |pages=147-148}}</ref>

The Intelligence uses a variety of different creations as minions to accomplish its plans. These include the Yeti, as well as other creations, including the [[Snowmen (Doctor Who)|Snowmen]], [[Spoonheads]], and [[Whisper Men]]. These creatures diverged significantly from the Yeti: the Snowmen were sentient [[Snowman|snowmen]], the Spoonheads were robots that harvested human minds using the [[Wi-Fi]], and the Whisper Men were faceless humanoids in [[Victorian fashion]] that whisper dark [[Nursery rhyme|nursery rhymes]] under their breath.{{Sfn|Phillips|2020|p=55}}

==== Yeti ==== {{Main article|Yeti (Doctor Who)|l1 = Yeti (''Doctor Who'')}}

[[File:Yeti Abominable Snowmen Filming.jpg|alt=A large, fluffy, grey costume, resembling a bipedal furry beast with no discernible face, standing in a cold, mountainous area|thumb|358x358px|A Yeti as pictured during filming of the 1967 serial ''[[The Abominable Snowmen]]'']] The [[Yeti (Doctor Who)|Yeti]] are robots created by the Great Intelligence. The Yeti serve the Intelligence's will, acting as [[footsoldiers]] for it.{{Sfn|Phillips|2020|p=55}} The Yeti first appear in ''The Abominable Snowmen'' (1967), where they act as servants of the Intelligence.<ref name=":111" /> They re-appear in 1968's ''The Web of Fear,'' where they are again used by the Intelligence.<ref name="Enemy">{{Cite journal |last=Morgan-Russell |first=Simon |date=10 September 2019 |title=An Enemy Within: The London Underground and ''Doctor Who''{{'}}s "The Web of Fear" |journal=[[Journal of Popular Film & Television]] |volume=47 |issue=3 |pages=163–170 |via=[[Taylor and Francis Group]]|issn=0195-6051}}</ref> A Yeti makes a cameo appearance in 1969 serial ''[[The War Games]]''.<ref name=":12" /> Another later appears briefly in "[[The Five Doctors]]," (1983) where it attacks the Second Doctor and his companion [[Brigadier Lethbridge-Stewart]] in a cave, though they are able to escape from it.<ref name="The Five Doctors">{{cite episode |title=The Five Doctors |episode-link=The Five Doctors |series=Doctor Who |series-link=Doctor Who |network=[[BBC]] |date=1 February – 25 November 1983 |credits=Writer [[Terrence Dicks]], Director [[Peter Moffatt]], Producer [[John Nathan-Turner]] |location=London}}</ref>

The Yeti were created after writers [[Henry Lincoln]] and [[Mervyn Haisman]] had spoken with then-lead actor [[Patrick Troughton]], who expressed disappointment in the lack of Earth-bound stories in his first season as the Doctor. Lincoln chose the stories of the [[Yeti]] as a suitable concept around which to create a serial of the programme, as it was a creature viewers were familiar with; it could also reasonably be adapted as the creature was never found, and thus was not proven to actually exist. Producer [[Innes Lloyd]] was interested in doing an episode set in the [[Himalayas]] and also saw the monsters as a potential replacement for the [[Daleks]],{{Sfn|Ainsworth|2016g|pp=16–18}} which had recently been written out of the programme.{{Sfn|Chapman|2006|p=53}}<ref name=":232">{{Cite web |last=K. McEwan |first=Cameron |date=4 March 2018 |title=7 ''Doctor Who'' Spin-Offs That Never Made It to TV, from Daleks in America to Rose Tyler: Earth Defence |url=https://www.digitalspy.com/tv/cult/a842108/doctor-who-spin-offs-that-never-happened-daleks-in-america/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250318045227/https://www.digitalspy.com/tv/cult/a842108/doctor-who-spin-offs-that-never-happened-daleks-in-america/ |archive-date=18 March 2025 |access-date=14 March 2025 |website=[[Digital Spy]]-GB}}</ref> Due to the pair realising the Yeti likely would not be sentient, they elected to create an Intelligence that controlled them, which became their master, the Great Intelligence. The production team, knowing the Yeti would be popular, commissioned a second serial to feature them.{{Sfn|Ainsworth|2016g|pp=16–18}} Due to costume deterioration and criticism that the Yeti were too "cuddly" in their first appearance, the Yeti were redesigned.<ref name="Web of Fear Intro2">{{cite web |title=''The Web of Fear'': Introduction |url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/doctorwho/classic/photonovels/weboffear/intro.shtml |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240912085041/https://www.bbc.co.uk/doctorwho/classic/photonovels/weboffear/intro.shtml |archive-date=12 September 2024 |access-date=15 March 2013 |publisher=[[BBC]]}}</ref> Due to a rights dispute involving another of Lincoln and Haisman's creations, the Quarks, the Intelligence and Yeti were retired as antagonists in the television series.<ref name=":111" /> Though the Intelligence later returned as an antagonist in the show's revival, the Yeti were not brought back with it.{{Sfn|Phillips|2020|p=55}}

=== Ice Warrior === {{Main|Ice Warrior}}

[[File:OSIRIS Mars true color.jpg|alt=An image of the planet Mars. It is round and has a largely red color. The top and bottom of the planet are coated white.|thumb|The Ice Warriors hail from the planet [[Mars]]]] The Ice Warriors are a [[Reptilian humanoid|reptilian]] warrior race who hail from the planet [[Mars]]. They wear special [[Biomechanics|bio-mechanical]] armour which protects them from attack and hostile temperature conditions.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Fullerton |first=Huw |date=10 June 2017 |title=Doctor Who's Ice Warriors: the Martian monsters and how they've changed in Doctor Who episode Empress of Mars |url=https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/sci-fi/doctor-who-writer-mark-gatiss-on-the-history-of-the-ice-warriors-and-his-new-versions-of-the-classic-monsters/ |access-date=18 June 2025 |website=[[Radio Times]]-GB |archive-date=27 February 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210227101352/https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/sci-fi/doctor-who-writer-mark-gatiss-on-the-history-of-the-ice-warriors-and-his-new-versions-of-the-classic-monsters/ |url-status=live }}</ref> This armour also has [[Sonic weapon|sonic weapons]], which are mounted into their wrists.{{Sfn|Ainsworth|2016g|pp=59–61}} The Ice Warriors also follow an [[Honor code|honour code]],<ref name=":02">{{cite web |last=Harrison |first=Mark |date=12 October 2011 |title=Doctor Who: The Silent Stars Go By book review |url=https://www.denofgeek.com/books/doctor-who-the-silent-stars-go-by-book-review/ |access-date=24 February 2012 |website=[[Den of Geek]] |publisher= |archive-date=16 February 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120216061108/http://www.denofgeek.com/comics/1089539/doctor_who_the_silent_stars_go_by_book_review.html |url-status=live }}</ref> and are ruled either by an "Ice Lord", or an "Ice Queen".<ref name="Serrao2017">{{Cite web |last=Serrao |first=Nivea |date=10 June 2017 |title='Doctor Who': Mark Gatiss on How The Onion Influenced His New Episode |url=https://ew.com/tv/2017/06/10/doctor-who-mark-gatiss-onion-ice-warriors/ |access-date=18 June 2025 |website=[[Entertainment Weekly]] |archive-date=16 August 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250816195940/https://ew.com/tv/2017/06/10/doctor-who-mark-gatiss-onion-ice-warriors/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Ice Warriors have been depicted as being both antagonists and supporting characters throughout the series.{{Sfn|Sleight|2012|pp=154–159}}

In 1967, as part of plans to expand the amount of monsters present in the series, the ''Doctor Who'' production team wished to introduce a new race of alien creatures. Writer [[Brian Hayles]] ended up creating the Ice Warriors, which were inspired by several concepts, such as the idea of [[life on Mars]]. Costume designer Martin Baugh designed the Ice Warriors' physical appearance, creating a hard, armoured creature as a result of being inspired by the name "Ice Warrior". Baugh additionally incorporated [[crocodile]]-like aspects, leading to them becoming reptilian monsters; according to some accounts, Hayles' original concept was of cyborg [[Vikings]], and the reptilian aspect of their design was a creation of Baugh's.<ref name="Mulkern2009">{{Cite web |last=Mulkern |first=Patrick |date=28 June 2009 |title=The Ice Warriors ★★★ |url=https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/sci-fi/doctor-who-guide/the-ice-warriors/ |access-date=27 June 2024 |website=[[Radio Times]]-GB |archive-date=17 May 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210517142443/https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/sci-fi/doctor-who-guide/the-ice-warriors/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name=":111" /> Due to popularity with audiences, the Ice Warriors later ended up becoming recurring antagonists.{{Sfn|Sleight|2012|pp=154–159}}{{Sfn|Ainsworth|2018a|p=16}} The 1972 serial ''[[The Curse of Peladon]]'' saw the return of the Ice Warriors as supporting characters, resulting in their roles in the series becoming more nuanced and multifaceted.{{Sfn|Sleight|2012|pp=154–159}}

=== Quark === {{See also|The Dominators|l1=''The Dominators''}}

The Quarks first appeared in the [[Second Doctor]] serial ''[[The Dominators]]'' (1969). The Quarks are robots that serve villainous warlords known as the Dominators. They have energy weapons embedded in their arms. In the serial, the Quarks aid the Dominators in an invasion of the planet Dulkis but are thwarted by the Second Doctor.{{Sfn|Kenneth Muir|2007|p=158}} Following this appearance, a Quark briefly cameos in the 1969 serial ''[[The War Games]].''<ref name=":12">{{Cite web |last=Mulkern |first=Patrick |date=6 September 2009 |title=The War Games ★★★★★ |url=https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/sci-fi/doctor-who-guide/the-war-games/ |access-date=17 August 2025 |website=[[Radio Times]]-GB |archive-date=16 July 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250716002436/https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/sci-fi/doctor-who-guide/the-war-games/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

The Quarks were created by [[Mervyn Haisman]] and [[Henry Lincoln]]. The Quarks were named after the [[Quark|quarks]], which were being researched at the time, with the design of the Quark being based on the success of the Daleks' inhuman design. The Quarks were physically portrayed by young children, but were voiced by actress Sheila Grant. Grant's performance was heavily modulated, sped up, and edited to achieve the Quarks' voices, as well as sound effects related to the Quarks.<ref name=":327">{{Cite book |last=Ainsworth |first=John |title=Doctor Who: The Complete History: Fury from the Deep – The Wheel in Space – The Dominators |date=21 March 2018 |publisher=[[Hachette Partworks]], [[Panini Publishing]] |pages=109, 121, 130 |issn=2057-6048|year=2018b}}</ref> Following their appearance in ''The Dominators'', the Quarks became recurring antagonists in the ''Doctor Who'' comics published by ''[[TV Comic]]'', appearing in multiple comics throughout 1969.<ref name=":62">{{Cite magazine |date=October 2016 |editor-last=Hearn |editor-first=Marcus |title=The Essential Doctor Who: Invasions of Earth |magazine=The Essential Doctor Who |issue=9|isbn=978-1-84653-222-1}}</ref> The usage of the Quarks in these comics came under scrutiny from their creators, with confusion arising over the usage of the Quarks in terms of copyright. Though the conclusion of the discussion between them and the [[BBC]] was unclear, the two writers never returned to the series, and resulted in the retirement of both the Quarks and Yeti from the television series going forward.<ref name=":327" />

The Quarks appear in the 1982 spin-off comic ''The Fires Down Below'', where a [[UNIT]] soldier fights and defeats an attempted invasion of Earth by the Quarks and Dominators.<ref name=":62" /> The Quarks also appear alongside the Dominators in the 2013 comic ''Quiet on Set''.<ref>{{Cite comic |date=6 November 2013 |title=Prisoners of Time |story=Quiet on the Set |issue=10 |publisher=[[IDW Publishing]] |writer=Tipton, David; Tipton, Scott |artist=Casagrande, Elena}}</ref> They appear by themselves, without the Dominators, in the 2017 comic ''The Lost Dimension'', where the [[Fourth Doctor]] encounters a group of Quarks that hail from an alternate universe where, without the Daleks to stop them, they became the most powerful creatures of their home reality.<ref>{{Cite comic |date=30 August - 1 November 2017 |title=The Lost Dimension |story=Special #1 |issue=5 |publisher=[[Titan Comics]]}}</ref> The Quarks appear in several books in the ''Lethbridge-Stewart'' spin-off novel series, which features the character [[Brigadier Lethbridge-Stewart]], including 2015's ''Mutually Assured Domination,''<ref>{{Cite book |last=Walters |first=Nick |title=Mutually Assured Domination |date=20 November 2015 |publisher=Candy Jar Books |isbn=978-1-912535-46-0}}</ref> 2019's ''Home Fires Burn,''<ref>{{Cite book |last=Madgwick |first=Gareth |title=Home Fires Burn |date=11 October 2019 |publisher=Candy Jar Books}}</ref> and 2022's ''The Analysis Bureau.''<ref>{{Cite book |last=Dexter |first=Tom |title=The Analysis Bureau |date=12 August 2022 |publisher=Candy Jar Books}}</ref> They also appear in 2021 spin-off series ''The Lucy Wilson Mysteries'' in the [[anthology]] book ''Attack of the Quarks''.<ref>{{Cite book |title=Attack of the Quarks |date=10 March 2021 |publisher=Candy Jar Books|last=Lynch|first=Chris|isbn=978-1-917022-06-4|first2=Tim|last2=Gambrell}}</ref>

=== Time Lord === {{Main|Time Lord}}

{{See also|The Doctor|6=Rassilon|Susan Foreman|The Master (Doctor Who)|l3=The Master (''Doctor Who'')|Romana (Doctor Who)|l4=Romana (''Doctor Who'')|The Rani}} The Time Lords are a race of humanoid aliens who hail from the planet Gallifrey.<ref name="RT2">{{cite web |last=Cremona |first=Patrick |date=1 March 2020 |title=Doctor Who: A brief history of Gallifrey on screen |url=https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/sci-fi/doctor-who-gallifrey-history/ |access-date=14 November 2024 |website=[[Radio Times]] |archive-date=7 May 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210507173150/https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/sci-fi/doctor-who-gallifrey-history/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The Time Lords are a race that created [[time travel]] in-universe,<ref name="timelordorigins">{{cite web |title=Time Lord Origins |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/doctorwho/classic/episodeguide/timelordorigins.shtml |access-date=2 January 2010 |work=Doctor Who Classic Episode Guide |publisher=[[BBC]] |archive-date=2 December 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191202061143/http://www.bbc.co.uk/doctorwho/classic/episodeguide/timelordorigins.shtml |url-status=live }}</ref> and, when killed, have the ability to regenerate, which allows them to survive lethal injuries, and will cause them to change their physical appearance.<ref name=":15">{{Cite web |last=Anderson |first=Kyle |date=28 February 2024 |title=DOCTOR WHO's Regenerations Have Never Been Normal |url=https://nerdist.com/article/doctor-who-regeneration-history-has-never-been-normal/ |access-date=14 July 2025 |website=[[Nerdist]]-US |archive-date=24 July 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250724001057/https://nerdist.com/article/doctor-who-regeneration-history-has-never-been-normal/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The Doctor, the show's main protagonist, is a Time Lord.{{Sfn|Kistler|2013|pp=22–23}} Originally, though, details of the Doctor's home and species were not specified;<ref>{{Cite news |last=Belam |first=Martin |date=28 October 2016 |title=The day Doctor Who changed face – and transformed TV for ever |url=https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2016/oct/28/doctor-who-changed-face-and-transformed-tv-for-ever |access-date=14 July 2025 |work=[[The Guardian]]-GB |issn=0261-3077|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161029115411/https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2016/oct/28/doctor-who-changed-face-and-transformed-tv-for-ever|archive-date=29 October 2016}}</ref> the existence of the Time Lords and the Doctor's relationship with them was not explained until the 1969 serial ''[[The War Games]]''.{{Sfn|Ainsworth|2018a|p=82}} Though originally portrayed as "austere, god-like beings," the Time Lords were later re-contextualised by the 1976 serial ''[[The Deadly Assassin]],'' which portrayed them as having political struggles and having made their advancements through science rather than any mystical abilities.{{Sfn|Ainsworth|2016h|p=8}}

The Time Lords first appeared in ''The War Games''; in the serial, the Second Doctor encountered a threat so large he needed the Time Lords' power to resolve it. They subsequently put the Doctor on trial and later exiled him to Earth during his [[Third Doctor|Third incarnation]]. Following this, they served a recurring role throughout the show's Classic series, sometimes acting as both antagonists and supporting characters. They eventually were killed prior to the events of the show's 2005 revival in a conflict known as the [[Time War (Doctor Who)|Time War]], resulting in their removal from the universe. Though the Time Lords were later brought back to life during the revival's events, they were killed again during the events of the 2020 story "[[Spyfall (Doctor Who)|Spyfall]]".<ref name=":315">{{Cite news |last=Fordy |first=Tom |date=2 March 2020 |title=Who are the Time Lords? Everything you need to know about the Doctor's fellow Gallifreyans |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/tv/0/time-lords-everything-need-know-doctors-fellowgallifreyans/ |access-date=26 December 2024 |work=[[The Daily Telegraph]]-GB |issn=0307-1235 |archive-date=23 January 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250123105553/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/tv/0/time-lords-everything-need-know-doctors-fellowgallifreyans/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

Several Time Lords serve as recurring characters. [[Susan Foreman]], the Doctor's granddaughter, served as one of his companions during his [[First Doctor|first incarnation]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Poisuo |first=Pauli |date=17 May 2025 |title=Doctor Who Season 2, Episode 6 Reintroduces The Show's Most Mysterious Character |url=https://www.slashfilm.com/1859924/doctor-who-season-2-episode-6-most-mysterious-character-susan/ |access-date=15 December 2025 |website=[[SlashFilm]]-US |archive-date=21 January 2026 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260121001329/https://www.slashfilm.com/1859924/doctor-who-season-2-episode-6-most-mysterious-character-susan/ |url-status=live }}</ref> [[Romana (Doctor Who)|Romana]] is another Time Lord who serves as a companion, in this case alongside the [[Fourth Doctor]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Britt |first=Ryan |date=2 September 2019 |title=40 years ago Doctor Who changed regeneration canon forever |url=https://www.syfy.com/syfy-wire/40-years-ago-doctor-who-changed-regeneration-canon-forever |access-date=15 December 2025 |website=[[SYFY]]-US |archive-date=20 August 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250820053846/https://www.syfy.com/syfy-wire/40-years-ago-doctor-who-changed-regeneration-canon-forever |url-status=live }}</ref> Characters such as [[The Master (Doctor Who)|the Master]] and [[the Rani]] are also Time Lords who both serve as recurring antagonists in the series, with the Master serving as the Doctor's archnemesis, often attempting to defeat the Doctor with a variety of evil schemes, while the Rani is an amoral scientist who seeks to use the universe to conduct her experiments.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Saunders |first=Tristram Fane |date=2 January 2020 |title=The Master of evil: Roger Delgado and the twisted history of Doctor Who's greatest foe |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/tv/0/master-evil-roger-delgado-twisted-history-doctor-greatest-foe/ |access-date=15 July 2025 |work=[[The Daily Telegraph]]-GB |issn=0307-1235 |archive-date=2 September 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250902021406/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/tv/0/master-evil-roger-delgado-twisted-history-doctor-greatest-foe/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Whitbrook |first=James |date=23 May 2025 |title=A Brief Guide to the Rani, the Diva Time Lady Villainess of 'Doctor Who' |url=https://gizmodo.com/doctor-who-the-rani-explained-bbc-disney-2000606614 |access-date=4 August 2025 |website=[[Gizmodo]]-US |archive-date=12 November 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251112220853/https://gizmodo.com/doctor-who-the-rani-explained-bbc-disney-2000606614 |url-status=live }}</ref> The characters of [[Rassilon]], [[Omega (Doctor Who)|Omega]], and [[Tecteun]] are founding figures in Time Lord society, with Omega and Rassilon inventing time travel while Tecteun was able to create regeneration in Time Lords;<ref name=":57">{{Cite web |last=Whitbrook |first=James |date=27 May 2025 |title=The History of Omega, the Beginning and the End of the Time Lords |url=https://gizmodo.com/doctor-who-omega-explained-timeless-child-2000607869 |access-date=15 December 2025 |website=[[Gizmodo]]-US |archive-date=6 October 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251006223102/https://gizmodo.com/doctor-who-omega-explained-timeless-child-2000607869 |url-status=live }}</ref> all three serve as recurring antagonists in the series.<ref name=":57" />{{Sfn|Gibson|2025|pp=130–131}}<ref name="Farnell-2021">{{Cite web |last=Farnell |first=Chris |date=6 December 2021 |title=Doctor Who: Flux Ending Explained |url=https://www.denofgeek.com/tv/doctor-who-flux-ending-explained/ |access-date=8 August 2025 |website=[[Den of Geek]]-US |archive-date=3 September 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250903030623/https://www.denofgeek.com/tv/doctor-who-flux-ending-explained/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

== Introduced from 1970–1989 ==

=== Nestene Consciousness and Auton === {{Main|Nestene Consciousness and Autons}}

[[File:"It's all right, she does it all the time" - geograph.org.uk - 2243641 (cropped).jpg|alt=A humanoid wearing a number of clothing items. It is made of plastic.|thumb|365x365px|A mannequin as pictured in a United Kingdom department store in 2011]] The Nestene Consciousness is a [[Non-corporeal being|non-corporeal]], formless entity that possesses the ability to control and manipulate plastic.<ref name=":06">{{Cite book |last1=Redfern |first1=Nick |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=64AsBQAAQBAJ&dq=%22Nestene+Consciousness%22+-wikipedia&pg=PA190 |title=The Zombie Book: The Encyclopedia of the Living Dead |last2=Steiger |first2=Brad |date=18 August 2014 |publisher=[[Visible Ink Press]] |isbn=978-1-57859-530-3 |pages=190 |archive-date=8 December 2025 |access-date=22 January 2026 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251208042141/https://books.google.com/books?id=64AsBQAAQBAJ&dq=%22Nestene+Consciousness%22+-wikipedia&pg=PA190 |url-status=live }}</ref> The Nestenes use Autons, living plastic [[Mannequin|mannequins]], as [[footsoldiers]],{{Sfn|Parsons|2006|p=128}} with Autons having guns built into their hands in order to attack.<ref name=":23">{{Cite web |last=Chhibber |first=Preeti |date=1 July 2020 |title=Chosen One of the Day: Autons in Doctor Who |url=https://www.syfy.com/syfy-wire/chosen-one-of-the-day-autons-in-doctor-who |access-date=21 May 2025 |website=[[SYFY]]-US |archive-date=10 February 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250210225829/https://www.syfy.com/syfy-wire/chosen-one-of-the-day-autons-in-doctor-who |url-status=live }}</ref> Both the Nestene Consciousness and the Autons first appear in the 1970 serial ''[[Spearhead from Space]],'' where the Nestene Consciousness uses the Autons in an attempt to invade the Earth.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Wood |first1=Tat |title=About Time, volume 3: 1970-1974 |date=2009 |publisher=[[Mad Norwegian Press]] |isbn=978-0-9759446-7-7 |edition=2nd |pages=15–16 |chapter=7.1: Spearhead from Space}}</ref> The Nestenes later re-appear in 1971 serial ''[[Terror of the Autons]]'', where they once again attempt an invasion of Earth using various plastic objects, including many different kinds of Autons.{{Sfn|Chapman|2006|pp=84–85}} The Nestene Consciousness later appears in 2005's "[[Rose (Doctor Who episode)|Rose]]", where it is revealed to have had its home planet destroyed in the Time War. It attempts to invade Earth using Autons again, but is defeated by the [[Ninth Doctor]]'s companion [[Rose Tyler]].<ref name=":342">{{Cite book |last=Ainsworth |first=John |title=Doctor Who: The Complete History: Rose – The End of the World – The Unquiet Dead |date=10 February 2016 |publisher=[[Hachette Partworks]], [[Panini Publishing]] |pages=20-29 |issn=2057-6048|year=2016i}}</ref> It re-appears in 2010's "[[The Pandorica Opens]]" and "[[The Big Bang (Doctor Who)|The Big Bang]]", where it is a member of an alliance to imprison the Doctor, where it uses many Auton duplicates to trick the Doctor, including one based on his deceased companion [[Rory Williams]]. The Nestenes are subsequently erased from existence alongside the Autons, with the exception of Rory, who aids the Doctor in restoring the universe.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Leitch |first=Gillian I. |url=https://www.google.com/books/edition/Who_Travels_with_the_Doctor/OQQXDAAAQBAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=%22Nestene%22+++%22Doctor+Who%22+++%22Pandorica%22&pg=PA97&printsec=frontcover |title=Who Travels with the Doctor?: Essays on the Companions of Doctor Who |last2=Ginn |first2=Sherry |date=10 May 2016 |publisher=[[McFarland Publishing]] |isbn=978-0-7864-9525-2 |pages=97-98}}</ref>

Due to the "Earthbound" format put in place during the 1970s, the production team believed "alien invasion" stories had potential. Writer [[Robert Holmes (scriptwriter)|Robert Holmes]] conceived of the idea of a formless intelligence, while the production team, inspired by an idea from [[Derrick Sherwin]], believed the idea of mannequins coming to life could be effectively utilised as antagonists. Holmes gave the formless creature, the Nestenes, the ability to control plastic, including mannequins.{{Sfn|Ainsworth|2016j|pp=21–22}} The Nestenes and Autons subsequently returned in 1971 in ''Terror of the Autons,'' with the story being considered so terrifying by viewers and critics alike that the production team decided to bring back adventures set in outer space, which had previously been avoided.{{Sfn|Chapman|2006|pp=84–85}} The re-appearance of the creatures in "Rose", the first episode of the show's 2005 revival, was done by then-showrunner Russell T Davies to make sure that Rose did not immediately assume that the creatures were an alien threat, which was important in the episode's narrative. Additionally, he felt the Autons' mannequin-like design provided a familiar threat for children watching the episode.<ref name=":342" />

=== Silurian and Sea Devil === {{Main|Silurian and Sea Devil}}

Silurians are a [[reptilian humanoid]] species first seen in ''[[The Silurians|Doctor Who and the Silurians]]'' (1970), with the Sea Devils, an aquatic race related to the Silurians, debuting in ''[[The Sea Devils]]'' (1972). The Silurians and Sea Devils are a race of reptilian humanoids who lived on Earth at the [[dawn of time]]. Their species were highly technologically advanced, and their computers detected that a planet-like object would collide with Earth. To survive, they put themselves into [[hibernation]], but as the planet-like object, the [[Moon]], never crashed into the Earth, the Silurians' computers never awoke them, leaving them trapped in hibernation.<ref name=":72">{{Cite web |last=Farnell |first=Chris |date=11 April 2022 |title=Doctor Who: Sea Devils, Silurians, Madame Vastra Explained |url=https://www.denofgeek.com/tv/doctor-who-sea-devils-silurians-madame-vastra-explained/ |access-date=26 October 2024 |website=[[Den of Geek]]-US |archive-date=3 December 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241203173548/https://www.denofgeek.com/tv/doctor-who-sea-devils-silurians-madame-vastra-explained/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Stories featuring the Silurians and Sea Devils depict the Doctor attempting to negotiate with them and the humans in an attempt at finding peace between them and humanity, though these end without an agreement, often with the Silurians and Sea Devils being destroyed by the humans.{{Sfn|Sleight|2012|pp=74–82}} A recurring Silurian character, [[Madame Vastra]], was introduced in the show's 2005 revival, serving as one of the series' first on-screen [[lesbian]] characters.{{Sfn|Phillips|2020|p=55}} The Sea Devils reappeared as major characters of spin-off series ''[[The War Between the Land and the Sea]]'', which depicts a conflict between them and humanity.<ref name="THR Announce" /> In that series, they refer to themselves as "Homo Aqua".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Phillips |first=Tom |date=5 November 2025 |title='It's Racist to Say Sea Devil': Doctor Who Spin-Off Introduces New 'Homo Aqua' Name for Classic Villain Race |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/its-racist-to-say-sea-devil-doctor-who-spin-off-introduces-new-homo-aqua-name-for-classic-villain-race |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251104223807/https://www.ign.com/articles/its-racist-to-say-sea-devil-doctor-who-spin-off-introduces-new-homo-aqua-name-for-classic-villain-race |archive-date=4 November 2025 |access-date=22 December 2025 |website=[[IGN]]}}</ref>

[[Malcolm Hulke]] is credited with creating the Silurian concept, which was an attempt to subvert the limitations of the "Earthbound" format the series was in during the early 1970s, where the Doctor was stranded on Earth. This was accomplished via having the Silurians not be invaders of Earth, but instead be the Earth's original inhabitants attempting to reclaim the planet.{{Sfn|Ainsworth|2016j|p=65}} While planning stories for ''Doctor Who''{{'}}s [[Doctor Who (season 9)|ninth season]], Dicks and Letts decided to revive the Silurian concept, being impressed with the original idea. They wanted the Silurians to this time originate from the sea. Originally dubbed "Sea Silurians", they were rechristened "Sea Devils" for dramatic effect as Hulke's storyline was edited.<ref>{{cite AV media |title=Hello Sailor! – Making The Sea Devils |date=2008 |publisher=[[BBC Worldwide]] |id=BBCDVD2438(B) |people=Cann, David; [[Michael E. Briant|Briant, Michael]]; [[Donald Sumpter|Sumpter, Donald]]; [[Steve Scholes|Scholes, Steve]]; [[Katy Manning|Manning, Katy]]; [[Stuart Fell|Fell, Stuart]]; [[Terrance Dicks|Dicks, Terrance]]; [[Barry Letts|Letts, Barry]]; [[David de Vere|de Vere, David]]; King, Dave; [[Digby Coventry|Coventry, Digby]]}}</ref> Both species' return in ''Warriors of the Deep'' was part of an effort to bring back past antagonists following the series' twentieth anniversary.{{Sfn|Kenneth Muir|2007|pp=32–33}} Their return in the 2010 episodes "[[The Hungry Earth]]" and "[[Cold Blood (Doctor Who)|Cold Blood]]" was done by then-showrunner Steven Moffat due to him greatly liking the species' concept,<ref name=":29">{{Cite web |last=Edwards |first=Richard |date=26 May 2010 |title=Doctor Who Cold Blood Interview |url=https://www.gamesradar.com/doctor-who-cold-blood-interview/ |access-date=20 April 2025 |website=[[GamesRadar+]] |archive-date=30 April 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250430160917/https://www.gamesradar.com/doctor-who-cold-blood-interview/ |url-status=live }}</ref> with the species being redesigned to resemble humans and appear less alien in order to bring out the actors' performance.{{Sfn|Phillips|2020|p=55}}

===Aggedor=== {{See also|The Curse of Peladon|l1=''The Curse of Peladon''|The Monster of Peladon|l2=''The Monster of Peladon''}}

Aggedor is the Sacred Royal Beast of the planet Peladon, with Aggedor first appearing in ''[[The Curse of Peladon]]'' (1972).<ref>{{cite book |last1=Wood |first1=Tat |title=About Time, volume 3: 1970-1974 |date=2009 |publisher=[[Mad Norwegian Press]] |isbn=978-0-9759446-7-7 |edition=2nd |page=216 |chapter=9.2: The Curse of Peladon}}</ref> The real creature upon which the legend is based is a large, hairy beast with a single horn. Hunted to near extinction, one Aggedor beast roamed the tunnels below the citadel of the planet and, at one stage, was used to judge prisoners who were cast into a pit as punishment. Peladon's [[High priest|High Priest]], Hepesh, secretly captured the remaining Aggedor, and used it to attempt to generate superstition about the "curse" of Aggedor in order to stop Peladon from joining the Galactic Federation, an intergalactic alliance of planets. The Aggedor killed Hepesh, and the same Aggedor later returned in ''[[The Monster of Peladon]]'' (1974).<ref>{{Cite book |last1=Barr |first1=Jason |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ImuYAwAAQBAJ&dq=%22Aggedor%22+-wikipedia&pg=PA22 |title=The Language of Doctor Who: From Shakespeare to Alien Tongues |last2=Mustachio |first2=Camille D. G. |date=15 May 2014 |publisher=[[Rowman & Littlefield]] |isbn=978-1-4422-3481-9 |archive-date=2 September 2025 |access-date=29 June 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250902044510/https://books.google.com/books?pg=PA22&id=ImuYAwAAQBAJ&dq=%22Aggedor%22+-wikipedia |url-status=live |pages=22-24}}</ref>

In the 2007 audio story ''[[The Bride of Peladon]]'', after the death of the original Aggedor, it was revealed the Aggedor had a child, which remained hidden for many years. The [[Fifth Doctor]] mind-controlled this Aggedor to aid them, after which it gave birth to many baby Aggedors.<ref>{{Cite AV media |url= |title=The Bride of Peladon |date=26-27 July 2007 |last=Edwards |first=Barnaby |type=Audio drama |isbn=978-1-78575-404-3 |access-date= |publisher=[[Big Finish Productions]]}}</ref>

===Draconian=== {{See also|Frontier in Space|l1=''Frontier in Space''}}The Draconians (also called Dragons, a derogatory term in their culture) are a humanoid race seen in ''[[Frontier in Space]]'' (1973). Common interstellar travel and attempts at [[Colonization|colonisation]] brought them into frequent and occasionally hostile contact with humans, leading to a [[treaty]] establishing a frontier between the two empires. Antagonist [[The Master (Doctor Who)|the Master]] attempted to trick the two sides into thinking the other broke the treaty in order to provoke galactic war, but after the truth was revealed, the Draconians allied with the humans to combat the Master.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Wood |first1=Tat |title=About Time, volume 3: 1970-1974 |date=2009 |publisher=[[Mad Norwegian Press]] |isbn=978-0-9759446-7-7 |edition=2nd |page=336 |chapter=10.3: Frontier in Space}}</ref>

Created by writer Malcolm Hulke, the conflict between Earth and Draconia (the Draconians' home planet) was inspired by the [[Cold War]] divide of Earth into sides of "East" and "West", particularly in the form of the United States and USSR's interactions with the other. The Draconians were designed as a "noble" race that resembled the [[Hapsburgs]], with Hulke wanting the Draconians to be considered "individuals" rather than a single uniform race, much like his prior creation, the Silurians. Despite the initial Hapsburg inspirations, the Draconians ended up being more inspired both in concept and visually by the Japanese [[Shogun]]. Changes were made to the Draconians' designs as a result, including having Draconians have large collars as part of their design. The Draconian masks and makeup were designed so actors had an easier time performing in the costumes, and the Draconians were given a hissing voice when they spoke.<ref name=":326527">{{Cite book |last=Ainsworth |first=John |title=Doctor Who: The Complete History: The Three Doctors – Carnival of Monsters – Frontier in Space |date=19 April 2017 |publisher=[[Hachette Partworks]], [[Panini Publishing]] |pages=98-99 |issn=2057-6048|year=2017c}}</ref>

1992 novel ''[[Love and War (Doctor Who novel)|Love and War]]'' depicts Draconians alongside humans in the far future.<ref name=":76">{{Cite book |last=Cornell |first=Paul |title=Love and War |date=15 October 1992 |publisher=[[Virgin Publishing]] |isbn=0-426-20385-2}}</ref> The 1998 novel ''[[Catastrophea]]'' depicts the Draconians being unhappy with human colonisation of the planet Catastrophea, leading to a conflict. Eventually, they are able to work together, and both agree to leave the planet alone.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Dicks |first=Terrence |title=Catastrophea |date=5 May 1998 |publisher=[[BBC Books]] |isbn=0-563-40584-8}}</ref> The 2020 online short story ''The Simple Things'' sees a Draconian attempting to repair a battle cruiser in 1896 [[West Ham]] with the help of an [[ironworks]] company.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Wilkinson |first=Joy |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/webarchive/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.bbc.co.uk%2Fblogs%2Fdoctorwho%2Fentries%2F3ac9b498-fbdb-4687-8044-bf167a17beff |title=The Simple Things |date=22 April 2020 |publisher=[[BBC]] |archive-date=10 August 2025 |access-date=22 January 2026 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250810031355/https://www.bbc.co.uk/webarchive/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.bbc.co.uk%2Fblogs%2Fdoctorwho%2Fentries%2F3ac9b498-fbdb-4687-8044-bf167a17beff |url-status=live }}</ref> A Draconian named Salazar appears in the 1980 comic strip ''Star Tigers'' as an ally of the character [[Abslom Daak]].<ref>{{Cite comic |date=April-November 1980 |title=[[Doctor Who Magazine]] |story=Star Tigers |issue=27-30 |publisher=[[Marvel UK]] |writer=Moore, Steve |artist=Dillon, Steve; Lloyd, David}}</ref> The 2009 comic strip ''Cold Blooded War!'' depicts a meeting between Draconians and the [[Ice Warrior|Ice Warriors]],<ref>{{Cite comic |date=26 August 2009 |strip=Doctor Who: Cold Blooded War! |story=Cold Blooded War! |issue= |publisher=[[IDW Publishing]] |writer=Starkings, Richard; Russell, Gary |artist=Salmon, Adrian}}</ref> and another 2009 comic story, ''Fugitive,'' features a Draconian delegate, who, after being arrested, aids the [[Tenth Doctor]] in helping to stop a Krillitane invasion of intergalactic law body the Shadow Proclamation.<ref name=":41">{{Cite comic |date=2 September-16 December 2009 |title=Doctor Who (2009) |story=Fugitive |issue=3-6 |publisher=[[IDW Publishing]] |writer=Lee, Tony |artist=Smith, Matthew Dow}}</ref> Draconians appear in the several audio dramas, including 2003's ''The Draconian Rage'',<ref>{{Cite AV media |url= |title=The Draconian Rage |date=August 2003 |last=Baxendale |first=Trevor |type=Audio drama |isbn=978-1-83868-489-1|publisher=[[Big Finish Productions]]}}</ref> 2007's ''The Judas Gift'',<ref>{{Cite AV media |url= |title=The Judas Gift |date=April 2007 |last=Wallace |first=Nick |type=Audio drama |isbn=978-1-83868-672-7|publisher=[[Big Finish Productions]]}}</ref> and ''Freedom of Information'',<ref>{{Cite AV media |url= |title=Freedom of Information |date=June 2007 |last=Robson |first=Eddie |type=Audio drama |isbn=978-1-83868-673-4|publisher=[[Big Finish Productions]]}}</ref> 2009's ''Paper Cuts'',<ref>{{Cite AV media |url= |title=Paper Cuts |date=25 September 2009 |last=Platt |first=Marc |author-link=Marc Platt (writer) |type=Audio drama |isbn=978-1-78575-672-6|publisher=[[Big Finish Productions]]}}</ref> 2021's ''Conspiracy in Space''.<ref>{{Cite AV media |url= |title=Conspiracy in Space |date=19 October 2021 |last=Barnes |first=Alan |author-link=Alan Barnes (writer) |type=Audio drama |isbn=978-1-83868-570-6|publisher=[[Big Finish Productions]]}}</ref> Draconians appear in the [[Bernice Summerfield]] audio drama series ''The Eternity Club''.<ref name=":10">{{Cite book |last=Bates |first=Philip |url=https://www.google.com/books/edition/Companions/u0NZEQAAQBAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=the+eternity+club+bernice+summerfield&pg=PT236&printsec=frontcover |title=Companions: Sixty Years of Doctor Who Assistants |last2=Frankham-Allen |first2=Andy |date=20 February 2025 |publisher=Andrews UK Limited |isbn=978-0-7223-5562-6}}</ref> A Draconian appears in the 1998 film [[Mindgame (Doctor Who)|''Mindgame'']].<ref>{{Cite book |last=Valdron |first=D. G. |url=https://www.google.com/books/edition/Another_Pirate_s_History_of_Doctor_Who/L-uCEAAAQBAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=%22Mindgame%22+++%22Sontaran%22+-wikipedia&pg=PT169&printsec=frontcover |title=Another Pirate's History of Doctor Who |date=18 August 2022 |publisher=Fossil Cove Press |isbn=978-1-990860-27-0}}</ref>

=== Sontaran === {{Main|Sontaran}}

[[File:Vomkriege.jpg|alt=A piece of white paper, with numerous black lines of text written in German on it.|thumb|261x261px|The title page of the original German language edition of ''[[On War]],'' which the Sontarans were partially based on]] The Sontarans are a [[Cloning|clone]] race that hail from the planet Sontar, and are bred for war from birth. They are engaged in a constant, never-ending war against a species known as the [[Rutans]]. They have a culture dedicated almost solely to war, with dying in battle being considered the ultimate honour among their race, as is entering a battle without a protective helmet.{{Sfn|Sleight|2012|pp=61–69}}<ref name=":27" /> Sontarans only have a single weak point: a "probic vent" on the back of their neck, through which they receive energy, with a single hit there dealing heavy damage to a Sontaran. Sontarans are physically shorter than humans due to their homeworld being a planet that has high gravity.{{Sfn|Sleight|2012|pp=61–69}} The Sontarans first appear in the 1973 serial ''[[The Time Warrior]]'' and have gone on to be recurring antagonists in the series.{{Sfn|Sleight|2012|pp=61–69}}

The Sontarans were created by writer Robert Holmes. Holmes conceived of the Sontarans after reading the 1832 war treatise ''[[On War]]'', and was additionally inspired by the [[Vietnam War]], particularly in the form of the American troops who were deployed into a conflict between other countries.{{Sfn|Ainsworth|2016r|pp=98–99}} The Sontarans' design changed multiple times throughout the years, with different Sontarans being very physically distinct from other designs.<ref name=":55">{{Cite web |last=McAlpine |first=Fraser |date=21 October 2021 |title='Doctor Who': The Evolution of the Sontarans |url=https://www.bbcamerica.com/blogs/doctor-who-the-evolution-of-the-sontarans--1043694 |access-date=8 May 2025 |website=[[BBC America]] |archive-date=8 May 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250508123347/https://www.bbcamerica.com/blogs/doctor-who-the-evolution-of-the-sontarans--1043694 |url-status=live }}</ref>

==== Rutan ==== {{See also|Horror of Fang Rock|l1=''Horror of Fang Rock''}}

The Rutans are a [[shapeshifting]], jellyfish-like race that are at constant war with the Sontarans.<ref name=":61">{{Cite web |last=Bahn |first=Christopher |date=25 January 2014 |title=Doctor Who (Classic): “Horror Of Fang Rock” |url=https://www.avclub.com/doctor-who-classic-horror-of-fang-rock-1798179296 |access-date=17 December 2025 |website=[[A.V. Club]]-US |archive-date=6 October 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251006193000/https://www.avclub.com/doctor-who-classic-horror-of-fang-rock-1798179296 |url-status=live }}</ref> They are first mentioned in 1973's ''[[The Time Warrior]]'', though only appear physically on-screen in 1975's ''[[Horror of Fang Rock]]''.{{Sfn|Kenneth Muir|2007|p=257}}<ref>{{Cite web |last=Silverman |first=Riley |date=6 December 2023 |title=DOCTOR WHO Villains We'd Love to See the Fifteenth Doctor Face |url=https://nerdist.com/article/doctor-who-villains-from-the-tv-show-past-and-big-finish-that-we-want-to-see-ncuti-gatwa-fifteenth-doctor-face/ |access-date=17 December 2025 |website=[[Nerdist]]-US |archive-date=25 July 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250725013906/https://nerdist.com/article/doctor-who-villains-from-the-tv-show-past-and-big-finish-that-we-want-to-see-ncuti-gatwa-fifteenth-doctor-face/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Like the Sontarans, Rutans are belligerent and militaristic, seeking only to win against their enemies in the war.<ref name=":61" /> In ''Horror of Fang Rock,'' a Rutan scout arrives on Earth at a lighthouse and seeks to take control of the planet to aid in the Rutans' war against the Sontarans.<ref name=":61" /> The serial's writer, [[Terrance Dicks]], elected to make the Rutans shapeshifters to contrast them with the Sontarans; where the Sontarans are identical, cloned beings, Rutans are blobby and capable of changing their appearance at will.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Blair |first=Andrew |date=27 November 2022 |title=Doctor Who's Best Episodes: The 1970s Era |url=https://www.denofgeek.com/tv/doctor-whos-best-episodes-1970s-era/ |access-date=17 December 2025 |website=[[Den of Geek]]-US |archive-date=18 November 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251118043213/https://www.denofgeek.com/tv/doctor-whos-best-episodes-1970s-era/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The jellyfish resemblance was created due to the serial's seaside setting.<ref name=":326526">{{Cite book |last=Ainsworth |first=John |title=Doctor Who: The Complete History: Horror of Fang Rock – The Invisible Enemy – Image of the Fendahl – The Sun Makers |date=11 January 2017 |publisher=[[Hachette Partworks]], [[Panini Publishing]] |pages=14, 25 |issn=2057-6048|year=2017d}}</ref> [[File:Jelly cc11.jpg|alt=A round yellow creature with a number of tentacles trailing behind it. It is swimming in water.|thumb|The Rutans greatly resemble jellyfish (pictured)]] Rutans appear fighting Sontarans in a war in the 1994 film ''[[Shakedown: Return of the Sontarans]]''.<ref name=":326526" /> Rutans appear in two 2009 books: ''[[The Sontaran Games]]'' and ''[[The Taking of Chelsea 426]]'', which depict Rutans attempting to interfere with Sontaran invasion efforts of Earth.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Llewellyn |first=David |title=[[The Taking of Chelsea 426]] |date=3 September 2009 |publisher=[[BBC Books]] |isbn=978-1-84607-758-6}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Rayner |first=Jacqueline |author-link=Jacqueline Rayner |title=[[The Sontaran Games]] |date=26 February 2009 |publisher=[[BBC Books]] |isbn=978-1-84607-643-5}}</ref> Rutans appear in the video game 2011 video game ''[[Doctor Who: The Adventure Games]]'', where they appear in a setting based on the real world [[Gunpowder Plot]]. In the game, the Rutans are present on Earth during this time and seek a "[[doomsday weapon]]" that will allow them to kill the Sontarans and end the war, though their plan is thwarted by the [[Eleventh Doctor]].<ref>{{Cite book |last=Mellor |first=David |url=https://www.google.com/books/edition/New_Dimensions_of_Doctor_Who/IhGMDwAAQBAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=%22The+Gunpowder+Plot%22+++%22Rutan%22&pg=PA136&printsec=frontcover |title=New Dimensions of Doctor Who: Adventures in Space, Time and Television |last2=Hills |first2=Matt |date=3 September 2013 |publisher=[[Bloomsbury Publishing]] |isbn=978-0-85772-286-7 |pages=136-137}}</ref> 2013 comic story ''Prisoners of Time'' depicts the [[Fifth Doctor]] rescuing a group of Sontarans from a Rutan attack.<ref>{{Cite comic |date=29 May 2013 |title=Prisoners of Time |story=In Their Nature |issue=5 |publisher=[[IDW Publishing]] |writer=Tiption, Scott; Tipton, David |artist=Bond, Phillip}}</ref> 1998 novel ''[[The Infinity Doctors]]'' depicts the [[Eighth Doctor]] forging a peace deal between the Sontarans and Rutans.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Parkin |first=Lance |author-link=Lance Parkin |title=[[The Infinity Doctors]] |date=16 November 1998 |publisher=[[BBC Books]] |isbn=0-563-40591-0}}</ref>

=== Zygon === {{Main|Zygon}}

The Zygons are [[Shapeshifting|shape-shifting]] aliens first encountered in ''[[Terror of the Zygons]]'' (1975). In the episode, the Zygon home world had been destroyed, and they attempted to conquer the Earth in order to claim it as their new home world.<ref name=":24">{{Cite web |last=Braxton |first=Mark |date=27 June 2010 |title=Terror of the Zygons ★★★★★ |url=https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/sci-fi/doctor-who-guide/terror-of-the-zygons/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210301195724/https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/sci-fi/doctor-who-guide/terror-of-the-zygons/ |archive-date=1 March 2021 |access-date=26 June 2024 |website=[[Radio Times]]-GB}}</ref> They later re-appeared in the fiftieth anniversary special "[[The Day of the Doctor]]," (2013)<ref name="Huff">{{cite web |date=18 April 2013 |title='Doctor Who' 50th Anniversary Episode To Feature Daleks, Cyberman And Zygons |url=http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2013/04/18/doctor-who-50th-anniversary-daleks-cyberman_n_3106934.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240713012015/https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2013/04/18/doctor-who-50th-anniversary-daleks-cyberman_n_3106934.html |archive-date=13 July 2024 |access-date=26 June 2024 |work=[[The Huffington Post UK]]}}. Retrieved November 2013.</ref> where they attempted to conquer the planet once more,<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |last=Kilson |first=Kashann |date=2 November 2015 |title=The Doctor Gets Political in "The Zygon Invasion" |url=https://www.inverse.com/article/7673-the-doctor-gets-political-in-the-zygon-invasion |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250520185030/https://www.inverse.com/article/7673-the-doctor-gets-political-in-the-zygon-invasion |archive-date=20 May 2025 |access-date=26 June 2025 |website=[[Inverse (website)|Inverse]]}}</ref> with it being implied that their home planet was destroyed in the [[Time War (Doctor Who)|Time War]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Collura |first=Scott |date=31 October 2015 |title=Doctor Who: "The Zygon Invasion" Review |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2015/10/31/doctor-who-the-zygon-invasion-review |access-date=31 October 2024 |website=[[IGN]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151101114341/https://www.ign.com/articles/2015/10/31/doctor-who-the-zygon-invasion-review|archive-date=1 November 2015}}</ref> The Zygons and humans negotiate a peace treaty, leading to Zygons living among humans on Earth. In "[[The Zygon Invasion]]" and "[[The Zygon Inversion]]," (2015) a [[splinter group]] of Zygons is unhappy with having to hide away among humans, per the terms of the treaty, and attempt to change the status quo so they can live in their natural forms.<ref name=":3" /> The [[Twelfth Doctor]] is able to negotiate with the splinter group's leader, Bonnie, and come to a peaceful solution.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Connolly |first=Kelly |date=8 November 2015 |title='Doctor Who' recap: Boxing day |url=https://ew.com/recap/doctor-who-season-9-episode-8/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240626054842/https://ew.com/recap/doctor-who-season-9-episode-8/ |archive-date=26 June 2024 |access-date=26 June 2024 |website=[[Entertainment Weekly]]}}</ref> [[File:Loch Ness Monster Surgeon's photograph.jpg|alt=A blurry black and white photograph, depicting what appears to be a neck and head protruding above the water|thumb|200x200px|The Zygons came about as a result of a story intended to focus on the [[Loch Ness Monster]] (famous hoax seen above)]] The Zygons were created by writer [[Robert Banks Stewart]]. Originally intending to write a serial about the [[Loch Ness Monster]], script editor Robert Holmes had Stewart refocus the story on the alien species associated with the Monster (actually an alien named the Skarasen), resulting in the Zygons taking the centre stage of their debut serial.<ref name=":326522">{{Cite book |last=Ainsworth |first=John |title=Doctor Who: The Complete History: Genesis of the Daleks – Revenge of the Cybermen – Terror of the Zygons |date=5 October 2016 |publisher=[[Hachette Partworks]], [[Panini Publishing]] |pages=102-103 |issn=2057-6048|year=2016k}}</ref> Their re-appearance in the show's 2005 revival in the 2013 anniversary special "The Day of the Doctor" was a result of showrunner [[Steven Moffat]]. Moffat was greatly impressed by the Zygons as they appeared in their debut serial, and came up with an idea for a sequel to the story which would depict homeless Zygons settling on Earth and discussed issues such as [[immigration]], [[Refugee|refugees]], resettlement, [[ghettoization|ghettoisation]], and the radicalisation of factions that led to [[Terrorism|terrorism]]. These ideas were established in "The Day of the Doctor", with Moffat using the episode to set up for a later story that focused on this idea; this was explored in 2015's "The Zygon Invasion" and "The Zygon Inversion".<ref name="Ainsworth-2016">{{Cite book |last=Ainsworth |first=John |title=Doctor Who: The Complete History: The Woman Who Lived – The Zygon Invasion – The Zygon Inversion |date=25 July 2018 |publisher=[[Hachette Partworks]], [[Panini Publishing]] |pages=64-66 |issn=2057-6048|year=2018c}}</ref>

=== Sisterhood of Karn === {{Main|The Brain of Morbius|l1 = ''The Brain of Morbius''|The Night of the Doctor|l2 = "The Night of the Doctor"}}

The Sisterhood of Karn are a female religion situated on the planet Karn.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Wood |first1=Tat |title=About Time, volume 4.1: 1975-1977 |date=2023 |publisher=[[Mad Norwegian Press]] |isbn=978-1-935234-25-8 |edition= |page=200 |chapter=13.5 The Brain of Morbius}}</ref> Karn is present in the same solar system as the Time Lords' home planet Gallifrey, and the Sisterhood have a long history of collaboration with the Time Lords.{{Sfn|Kistler|2013|p=131}} They are capable of making the "Elixir of Eternal Life", which they had previously shared with the Time Lords.{{Sfn|Gibson|2025|pp=75–77}} The Elixir could aid Time Lords in undergoing difficult regenerations, and though the Sisterhood does not trust the Time Lords, they occasionally give them the Elixir.{{Sfn|Kistler|2013|p=131}} The Sisterhood first appear in ''[[The Brain of Morbius]]'' (1976), where they had grown paranoid as a result of a past betrayal by the Time Lord [[Morbius (Doctor Who villain)|Morbius]]. Since then, they had been using their mental powers to crash ships onto the planet's surface. The Eternal Flame, which they use to make the Elixir, had become clogged by soot one year prior to the events of the story, and the Sisterhood had been trying to fix it to no avail. The Doctor solves the problem, and the Sisterhood later aid him in stopping the revived Morbius.{{Sfn|Gibson|2025|pp=75–77}} They later reappear in the 2013 mini-episode "[[The Night of the Doctor]]," where they revive a mortally wounded [[Eighth Doctor]] and help him regenerate into [[War Doctor|his next incarnation]].{{Sfn|Jowett|2017|p=103}} They make further appearances in "[[The Magician's Apprentice (Doctor Who)|The Magician's Apprentice]]" (2015)<ref name=":111" /> and "[[Hell Bent (Doctor Who)|Hell Bent]]" (2015).{{Sfn|Frankel|2018|pp=207–209}}

The Sisterhood was created by [[Terrance Dicks]]. The concept for the Sisterhood was lifted from [[H. Rider Haggard]]'s novel ''[[She: A History of Adventure]]'', in which an immortal character is given new life by "the Flame of Life".{{Sfn|Ainsworth|2016l|p=114}} The Sisterhood's costumes were cheaply made, with some props being constructed with plastic teaspoons from the BBC's [[tea lady]].{{Sfn|Ainsworth|2016l|p=123}} Steven Moffat brought the Sisterhood back for his mini-episode "Night of the Doctor" due to a fondness for the Sisterhood as a concept,<ref>{{Cite news |title=Steven Moffat on The Night Of The Doctor |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/webarchive/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.bbc.co.uk%2Fblogs%2Fdoctorwho%2Fentries%2F41fd63f1-63ae-30b1-a302-bd6e59ddecbf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250405083737/https://www.bbc.co.uk/webarchive/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.bbc.co.uk%2Fblogs%2Fdoctorwho%2Fentries%2F41fd63f1-63ae-30b1-a302-bd6e59ddecbf |archive-date=5 April 2025 |access-date=18 December 2025 |work=[[BBC]] |url-status=live }}</ref> with the Sisterhood, particularly one of their number, Ohila, being brought back for "The Magician's Apprentice" out of Moffat's desire to feature them again.<ref name="Ainsworth20172">{{Cite book |last=Ainsworth |first=John |title=Doctor Who: The Complete History: Last Christmas – The Magician's Apprentice – The Witch's Familiar |date=30 May 2018 |publisher=[[Hachette Partworks]], [[Panini Publishing]] |pages=83 |issn=2057-6048|year=2018d}}</ref>

The Sisterhood further appears in several audio dramas for the series, including 2008's ''[[Sisters of the Flame]]'',<ref>{{Cite AV media |url= |title=[[Sisters of the Flame]] |date=July 2008 |last=Briggs |first=Nicholas |author-link=Nicholas Briggs |type=Audio drama |isbn=978-1-78178-490-7|publisher=[[Big Finish Productions]]}}</ref> and ''[[Vengeance of Morbius]],<ref>{{Cite AV media |url= |title=[[Vengeance of Morbius]] |date=August 2008 |last=Briggs |first=Nicholas |author-link=Nicholas Briggs |type=Audio drama |isbn=978-1-78178-491-4|publisher=[[Big Finish Productions]]}}</ref>'' 2017's ''The Lost Flame,''<ref>{{Cite AV media |url= |title=The Lost Flame |date=6 July 2017 |last=Mann |first=George |last2=Scott |first2=Cavan |type=Audio drama |isbn=978-1-78529-697-0|publisher=[[Big Finish Productions]]}}</ref> 2021's ''Light the Flame,''<ref>{{Cite AV media |url= |title=Light the Flame |date=22 June 2021 |last=Fitton |first=Matt |type=Audio drama |isbn=978-1-83868-549-2|publisher=[[Big Finish Productions]]}}</ref> and 2024's ''Morbius the Mighty,''<ref>{{Cite AV media |url= |title=Morbius the Mighty |date=21 August 2024 |last=Foley |first=Tim |type=Audio drama |isbn=978-1-80240-445-6|publisher=[[Big Finish Productions]]}}</ref> and ''Dark Gallifrey: Morbius.''<ref>{{Cite web |last=Flook |first=Ray |date=28 February 2024 |title=Doctor Who: Big Finish Unleashes "Dark Gallifrey: Morbius" Details |url=https://bleedingcool.com/tv/doctor-who-big-finish-unleashes-dark-gallifrey-morbius-details/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240228180922/https://bleedingcool.com/tv/doctor-who-big-finish-unleashes-dark-gallifrey-morbius-details/ |archive-date=28 February 2024 |access-date=18 December 2025 |website=[[Bleeding Cool]]}}</ref> === Sutekh === {{See also|Pyramids of Mars|The Legend of Ruby Sunday|Empire of Death (Doctor Who episode)|label 1=''Pyramids of Mars''|label 3=Empire of Death (''Doctor Who'' episode)}} [[File:Set.svg|alt=A two-dimensional figure, greatly resembling Egyptian tomb paintings. They are wearing little clothes, and have the head of a jackal.|thumb|414x414px|A depiction of the Egyptian god [[Set (deity)|Set]], on which Sutekh was based]] Sutekh is a member of the Osirian race who first appears in the 1975 serial ''[[Pyramids of Mars]]''. Prior to the serial's events, Sutekh was once the leader of the Osirians alongside his brother [[Horus]]. Eventually, Sutekh destroyed their home planet Osiris, as well as half a galaxy. He was captured and imprisoned on Earth for his crimes by Horus and sealed away for 7000 years. In-universe, the battle between the two inspired [[Egyptian mythology]].{{Sfn|Layton|2014|p=136}} During the events of ''Pyramids of Mars'', Sutekh begins to attempt to free himself from his prison. Sutekh revives ancient Osirian service robots, covered in bandages and resembling [[mummies]], in order to carry out his will. Sutekh seeks to destroy the pyramid that lies on [[Mars]], which sends out a beacon that keeps him imprisoned. Though Sutekh is eventually able to escape, the Doctor succeeds in imprisoning Sutekh inside of a "time tunnel," which sends Sutekh forwards in time to his own death.<ref name=":30">{{Cite book |last=Cardin |first=Matt |url=https://www.google.com/books/edition/Mummies_around_the_World/PKnIEAAAQBAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=%22Sutekh%22+doctor+who+-wikipedia&pg=PT12&printsec=frontcover |title=Mummies around the World: An Encyclopedia of Mummies in History, Religion, and Popular Culture |date=17 November 2014 |publisher=[[Bloomsbury Publishing]] |isbn=978-1-61069-419-3 |archive-date=25 January 2025 |access-date=22 January 2026 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250125062252/https://www.google.com/books/edition/Mummies_around_the_World/PKnIEAAAQBAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=%22Sutekh%22+doctor+who+-wikipedia&pg=PT12&printsec=frontcover |url-status=live }}</ref> Sutekh is able to survive the time tunnel, however, and latches on to the Doctor's [[TARDIS]]. His power grows after latching onto the TARDIS, allowing Sutekh to attain god-like powers. Sutekh eventually reveals himself during the events of the 2024 episode "[[The Legend of Ruby Sunday]]." Though Sutekh is able to destroy all life in the universe in the subsequent episode, "[[Empire of Death (Doctor Who episode)|Empire of Death]]" (2024), the Fifteenth Doctor is able to defeat Sutekh by dragging him through the [[time vortex]], which revives all the life in the universe that Sutekh had previously destroyed.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Britt |first=Ryan |date=22 June 2024 |title=49 Years Later, The Oldest Sci-Fi Show Ever Reveals a Dark Truth About Its Main Character |url=https://www.inverse.com/entertainment/doctor-who-empire-of-death-pyramids-of-mars-sarah-jane-question |access-date=25 June 2024 |website=[[Inverse (website)|Inverse]] |archive-date=24 June 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240624015554/https://www.inverse.com/entertainment/doctor-who-empire-of-death-pyramids-of-mars-sarah-jane-question |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Jeffery |first=Morgan |title=Who is Sutekh? The identity of Doctor Who's One Who Waits explained |url=https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/sci-fi/sutekh-doctor-who-one-who-waits/ |access-date=25 June 2024 |website=[[Radio Times]]-GB |archive-date=15 June 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240615074751/https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/sci-fi/sutekh-doctor-who-one-who-waits/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

''Pyramids of Mars'' was heavily inspired by Egyptian mythology, with Sutekh being based on the Egyptian god [[Set (deity)|Set]], though the alternate name Sutekh was chosen for the ''Doctor Who'' character instead. Sutekh and other Egyptian elements were recontextualised in-universe as being aliens from another planet instead of being gods.{{Sfn|Ainsworth|2016l|pp=46–47}} The serial's script was largely written by Robert Holmes, who greatly expanded on a draft by [[Lewis Greifer]]. Thus, despite largely being conceived by Holmes, some consider Greifer to be Sutekh's creator.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Tantimedh |first=Adi |date=20 June 2024 |title=Doctor Who: "Pyramids of Mars" Retell Gets Fresh Coat of Pain (REVIEW) |url=https://bleedingcool.com/tv/doctor-who-pyramids-of-mars-retell-gets-fresh-coat-of-pain-review/ |access-date=22 March 2026 |website=[[Bleeding Cool]]}}</ref> Sutekh's return in "The Legend of Ruby Sunday" and "Empire of Death" was a result of then-showrunner [[Russell T Davies]] having seen Sutekh's debut serial as a child, and having desired to write a return ever since; the ideas he had as a child were adapted into the plot of the episodes.<ref name=":75" /> When designing Sutekh for "Empire of Death," the design team wanted to recreate the original "aesthetic" of Sutekh from ''Pyramids'' while also making him not resemble any particular culture or time period, instead portraying Sutekh as an "ancient" and "malevolent" force.<ref name=":022">{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fxm4PRkG-zs |title=Behind the Scenes {{!}} Empire of Death {{!}} Doctor Who |date=22 June 2024 |last=Doctor Who |access-date=22 June 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240622192008/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fxm4PRkG-zs |archive-date=22 June 2024 |url-status=live |via=[[YouTube]]|type=Behind the scenes featurette}}</ref> Actor [[Gabriel Woolf]] portrays Sutekh in all of his appearances in the television series.<ref name=":014">{{Cite web |last=Evans |first=Rhianna |date=20 June 2024 |title=Doctor Who's Sutekh is the perfect classic villain return |url=https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/sci-fi/doctor-who-sutekh-perfect-classic-villain-return-comment/ |access-date=26 June 2024 |website=[[Radio Times]]-GB |archive-date=26 June 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240626000737/https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/sci-fi/doctor-who-sutekh-perfect-classic-villain-return-comment/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Tantimedh |first=Adi |date=18 June 2024 |title=Doctor Who: Gabriel Woolf Discusses Sutekh Return, "Pyramids" & More |url=https://bleedingcool.com/tv/doctor-who-gabriel-woolf-discusses-sutekh-return-pyramids-more/ |access-date=20 January 2026 |website=[[Bleeding Cool]] |archive-date=7 February 2026 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260207135924/https://bleedingcool.com/tv/doctor-who-gabriel-woolf-discusses-sutekh-return-pyramids-more/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

Sutekh has appeared in a variety of spin-off media since his introduction to the series, having appeared in comics and audio dramas which expanded on the character's lore and history.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Mohamed |first=Stefan |date=14 June 2024 |title=Doctor Who's New Villain Explained |url=https://www.denofgeek.com/tv/doctor-whos-new-villain-explained/ |access-date=20 January 2026 |website=[[Den of Geek]]-US |archive-date=15 June 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240615000703/https://www.denofgeek.com/tv/doctor-whos-new-villain-explained/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

=== Krynoid === {{See also|The Seeds of Doom|l1=''The Seeds of Doom''}}

The Krynoids are an invasive, alien weed that appear in the 1976 story ''[[The Seeds of Doom]]''. In the serial, a pair of Krynoid seed pods are discovered in the [[Antarctic]] and begin to germinate when brought into a nearby research base. The pods begin to infect humans and slowly turn them into Krynoids, which when fully grown threaten to consume all animal life on the planet. The Fourth Doctor is able to stop the Krynoids from invading the Earth.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bahn |first=Christopher |date=16 September 2012 |title=Doctor Who (Classic): “The Seeds Of Doom” |url=https://www.avclub.com/doctor-who-classic-the-seeds-of-doom-1798174339 |access-date=18 December 2025 |website=[[A.V. Club]]-US |archive-date=16 August 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240816021335/https://www.avclub.com/doctor-who-classic-the-seeds-of-doom-1798174339 |url-status=live }}</ref>

The Krynoids were created by writer [[Robert Banks Stewart]]. Stewart had come up with the idea of an alien plant sprouting from a human and growing massive. Originally called "Crinoid", the alien was characterised as not being necessarily evil, but instead living out its biological function. The Krynoid seeds were portrayed by a prop, but subsequent mutations as the Krynoid took over humans were accomplished via makeup work on actors.<ref name=":326523">{{Cite book |last=Ainsworth |first=John |title=Doctor Who: The Complete History: The Seeds of Doom – The Masque of Mandragora – The Hand of Fear |date=8 August 2018 |publisher=[[Hachette Partworks]], [[Panini Publishing]] |pages=17-23, 42 |issn=2057-6048|year=2018e}}</ref> The fully mutated humanoid Krynoid uses a repainted Axon costume from 1971's ''[[The Claws of Axos]]''.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Blumberg |first=Arnold T. |date=8 March 2011 |title=Doctor Who: The Seeds of Doom DVD Review |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2011/03/08/doctor-who-the-seeds-of-doom-dvd-review |access-date=18 December 2025 |website=[[IGN]] |archive-date=7 July 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130707110049/http://www.ign.com/articles/2011/03/08/doctor-who-the-seeds-of-doom-dvd-review |url-status=live }}</ref> A larger Krynoid prop was constructed for depicting its form once it was no longer humanoid, which was considered similar to a "walking tent" and handled by two operators inside while two extras propelled it. Scenes depicting the Krynoid attacking a mansion were done utilising model work, with a Krynoid prop destroying a scale model of the mansion.<ref name=":326523" />

The Krynoids were later the focus of a 1999 audio drama series produced by [[Big Finish Productions]], and also later appeared in the 2009 audio drama ''[[Hothouse (audio drama)|Hothouse]],<ref name=":326523" />'' and Krynoids again appeared in the 2023 audio drama ''The Green Man'', which depicts the character [[Jamie McCrimmon]] fighting a Krynoid.<ref>{{Cite AV media |url= |title=The Green Man |date=25 July 2023 |last=Verhoeven |first=Paul F |type=Audio drama |isbn=978-1-83868-879-0|publisher=[[Big Finish Productions]]}}</ref> Another Krynoid audio drama spin-off series, dubbed ''Planet Krynoid'', was announced in 2024, and depicts a "paradise planet" being infested by Krynoids.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Cormack |first=Morgan |title=Doctor Who spin-off with Inside No. 9 star announced by Big Finish |url=https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/sci-fi/doctor-who-reece-shearsmith-planet-krynoid-newsupdate/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260208125227/https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/sci-fi/doctor-who-reece-shearsmith-planet-krynoid-newsupdate/ |archive-date=8 February 2026 |access-date=18 December 2025 |website=[[Radio Times]]-GB}}</ref> A Krynoid appears in the 1998 short story ''Stop the Pigeon'',<ref>{{Cite book |last=Tucker |first=Mike |title=Short Trips |last2=Perry |first2=Robert |date=2 March 1998 |publisher=[[BBC Books]] |isbn=0-563-40560-0 |chapter=Stop the Pigeon}}</ref> and another Krynoid appears in the 2014 short story collection ''Tales of Trenzalore'', which depicts the [[Eleventh Doctor]] fighting one while defending the planet Trenzalore from a siege of numerous alien monsters.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Richards |first=Justin |author-link=Justin Richards |url= |title=Doctor Who: Tales of Trenzalore: The Eleventh Doctor's Last Stand |last2=Morris |first2=Mark |last3=Mann |first3=George |last4=Finch |first4=Paul |date=27 February 2014 |publisher=[[Random House]] |isbn=978-1-4481-4260-6}}</ref>

=== Sandminer Robot === {{See also|The Robots of Death|l1=''The Robots of Death''}}

In ''[[The Robots of Death]]'' (1977), several different types of robots act as slave labour aboard a "sandminer", a type of mining vessel. In the society the sandminer hails from, the rich use the Robots for manual labour, and are stated to be so dependent on this labour they would die if the Robots were to stop.{{Sfn|Kenneth Muir|2007|pp=253–255}} These Robots come in three different classes: "Dums", who are mute, Vocs, and Super Vocs.{{Sfn|Ainsworth|2016h|p=86}} The Robots have begun to kill humans on-board, leading to the Fourth Doctor investigating. He discovers the Robots have been re-programmed by a man named Taren Kapel, who was raised by the Robots and believes that they should rise up against humanity and kill them.{{Sfn|Kenneth Muir|2007|pp=253–255}} Kapel is eventually killed, and the Doctor is able to disable the "lead robot", whose deactivation causes the other Robots to stop killing.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Markowitz |first=Judith A. |url=https://www.google.com/books/edition/Robots_That_Kill/GhKSDwAAQBAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=%22The+Robots+of+Death%22+-wikipedia&pg=PA48&printsec=frontcover |title=Robots That Kill: Deadly Machines and Their Precursors in Myth, Folklore, Literature, Popular Culture and Reality |date=11 April 2019 |publisher=[[McFarland Publishing]] |isbn=978-1-4766-3639-9|pages=48}}</ref>

Producer [[Philip Hinchcliffe]] and script editor [[Robert Holmes (scriptwriter)|Robert Holmes]] wanted a story featuring robots for the show's 1977 season, with Hinchcliffe wanting the robots to be from a society in which humanity has grown dependent on them. Holmes in particular sought a story featuring them in a confined environment to serve as a cost-saving measure. Writer [[Chris Boucher (writer)|Chris Boucher]] wished to explore the robots and their role in society, and came up with the sandminer environment as a result of Holmes's wish for a confined environment.{{Sfn|Ainsworth|2016h|pp=46–47}} The serial's visual identity was decided to resemble the [[Art Deco]] style, resulting in the Robots being designed to be "pleasing" for the eye.{{Sfn|Ainsworth|2016h|pp=88–89}}

Following their appearance in the television series, the Robots appear in several pieces of spin-off media. They appear in the 1999 novel ''[[Corpse Marker]],'' which acts as a sequel to the original television serial. They subsequently appear in the ''Kaldor City'' audio series and in the 2011 audio drama ''[[Robophobia]],'' in which the Seventh Doctor encounters several of the Robots again.{{Sfn|Ainsworth|2016h|pp=101–102}} Another audio drama series, ''The Robots'', depicts the Robots on Kaldor City as technology continues to advance.<ref>{{Cite web |date=30 June 2020 |title=Missy faces the Meddling Monk, the Fifth Doctor travels solo, plus the Robots of Death return! |url=https://www.doctorwho.tv/news-and-features/missy-faces-the-meddling-monk-the-fifth-doctor-travels-solo-plus-the-robots-of |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250523074453/https://www.doctorwho.tv/news-and-features/missy-faces-the-meddling-monk-the-fifth-doctor-travels-solo-plus-the-robots-of |archive-date=23 May 2025 |access-date=9 September 2025 |website=Doctor Who.TV |url-status=live }}</ref>

===Guardian=== {{See also|Doctor Who season 16|l1=''Doctor Who'' season 16|Doctor Who season 20|l2=''Doctor Who'' season 20}}

The Guardians are a pair of powerful entities in charge of keeping balance in the universe, first seen in ''[[The Ribos Operation]]'' (1978), where the White Guardian appeared before the Doctor and asked him to re-assemble [[The Key to Time]], warning them of the Black Guardian who also wished to obtain the Key.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Wood |first1=Tat |title=About Time, volume 4.2: 1977-1980 |date=2023 |publisher=[[Mad Norwegian Press]] |isbn=978-1-935234-60-9 |edition= |page=154 |chapter=16.1: The Ribos Operation}}</ref> The White Guardian was later revealed to actually be the Black Guardian in disguise, with the Guardian attempting to trick the Doctor into assembling the Key for him. The Doctor is able to disperse the Key and evade the Black Guardian's attempts to track him down by randomising where the TARDIS landed.<ref name=":14">{{Cite web |title=The Fourth Dimension: The Armageddon Factor |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/5V5NwYPcRj9KS8XhTzPbx7m/the-fourth-dimension |access-date=27 June 2024 |website=[[BBC]]-GB |archive-date=16 May 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160516082556/https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/5V5NwYPcRj9KS8XhTzPbx7m/the-fourth-dimension |url-status=live }}</ref> The Black Guardian later appeared in several serials where, seeking revenge, he attempted to manipulate [[Vislor Turlough]] into killing the [[Fifth Doctor]].{{Sfn|Gibson|2025|p=88}} Both Guardians later appeared in 1983's ''[[Enlightenment (Doctor Who)|Enlightenment]]'', where the Guardians offered a crystal of great power to the winner of a race. Being offered the choice to kill or join the Doctor, Turlough threw the crystal at the Black Guardian, causing him to dissipate.<ref name=":19">{{Cite web |last=Jeffery |first=Morgan |date=9 February 2020 |title=Doctor Who: Who are the Eternals, the Guardians and the Toymaker? |url=https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/sci-fi/doctor-who-eternals-guardians-toymaker/ |access-date=27 June 2024 |website=[[Radio Times]]-GB |archive-date=14 May 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210514141304/https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/sci-fi/doctor-who-eternals-guardians-toymaker/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Blair |first=Andrew |date=6 January 2023 |title=Doctor Who's Best Episodes: The 1980s Era |url=https://www.denofgeek.com/tv/doctor-whos-best-episodes-1980s-era/ |access-date=27 June 2024 |website=[[Den of Geek]]-US |archive-date=6 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230106111210/https://www.denofgeek.com/tv/doctor-whos-best-episodes-1980s-era/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

The Guardians were introduced during the series' "Key to Time" arc. Symbolising good and evil, the pair were characterised as being god-like figures that represented a [[Yin and yang|black and white, good and evil]] conflict in the universe.{{Sfn|Ainsworth|2017b|p=87}} Originally, a plan for the arc's end was to have the White Guardian be just as evil as the Black Guardian and have the Doctor confront him, though this was scrapped.{{Sfn|Ainsworth|2016m|p=53}} The Black Guardian's eventual return was done as part of a trilogy of stories during the show's [[Doctor Who season 20|twentieth season]] focused on Turlough, with the Guardian's manipulation of the character being inspired by the idea of a companion secretly being there to kill the Doctor.{{Sfn|Ainsworth|2017e|p=93}} The White Guardian was portrayed by actor [[Cyril Luckham]] in ''The Ribos Operation''{{Sfn|Ainsworth|2017b|p=115}} and ''Enlightenment''{{Sfn|Ainsworth|2017f|p=51}} and briefly by [[Valentine Dyall]] in ''[[The Armageddon Factor]]''.{{Sfn|Ainsworth|2016m|p=56}} Dyall portrays the Black Guardian in subsequent appearances of the character.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Mulkern |first=Patrick |date=24 January 2012 |title=Mawdryn Undead ★★★★ |url=https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/sci-fi/doctor-who-guide/mawdryn-undead/ |access-date=26 February 2026 |website=[[Radio Times]]-GB|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210510060935/https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/sci-fi/doctor-who-guide/mawdryn-undead/|archive-date=10 May 2021}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Mulkern |first=Patrick |date=31 January 2012 |title=Terminus ★★ |url=https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/sci-fi/doctor-who-guide/terminus/ |access-date=26 February 2026 |website=[[Radio Times]]-GB|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210510050605/https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/sci-fi/doctor-who-guide/terminus/|archive-date=10 May 2021}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Braxton |first=Mark |date=5 February 2012 |title=Enlightenment ★★ |url=https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/sci-fi/doctor-who-guide/enlightenment/ |access-date=26 February 2026 |website=[[Radio Times]]-GB|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210510000804/https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/sci-fi/doctor-who-guide/enlightenment/|archive-date=10 May 2021}}</ref>

The Black Guardian subsequently appeared in several audio dramas, including 2009's ''[[The Judgement of Isskar]]'',<ref>{{Cite AV media |url= |title=[[The Judgement of Isskar]] |date=22 January 2009 |last=Guerrier |first=Simon |type=Audio drama |isbn=978-1-78575-664-1|publisher=[[Big Finish Productions]]}}</ref> and 2016's ''Casualties of Time'',<ref>{{Cite AV media |url= |title=Casualties of Time |date=10 August 2016 |last=Briggs |first=Nicholas |author-link=Nicholas Briggs |type=Audio drama |isbn=978-1-78178-742-7|publisher=[[Big Finish Productions]]}}</ref> and ''Gardens of the Dead'',<ref>{{Cite AV media |url= |title=Gardens of the Dead |date=28 January 2016 |last=T Colgan |first=Jenny |type=Audio drama |isbn=978-1-78575-104-2|publisher=[[Big Finish Productions]]}}</ref> while the White Guardian appeared in the 2009 drama ''The Destroyer of Delights''.<ref>{{Cite AV media |url= |title=The Destroyer of Delights |date=14 February 2009 |last=Clements |first=Jonathan |type=Audio drama |isbn=978-1-78575-665-8|publisher=[[Big Finish Productions]]}}</ref> Both appeared in the 2009 drama ''The Chaos Pool''.<ref>{{Cite AV media |url= |title=The Chaos Pool |date=March 2009 |last=Anghelides |first=Peter |type=Audio drama |isbn=978-1-78575-666-5|publisher=[[Big Finish Productions]]}}</ref> The Black Guardian appears as the antagonist in the 1997 novel ''[[The Well-Mannered War]]''<ref>{{Cite book |last=Roberts |first=Gareth |author-link=Gareth Roberts (writer) |title=The Well-Mannered War |date=17 April 1997 |publisher=[[Virgin Books]] |isbn=0-426-20506-5}}</ref> and the 1993 comic ''Time & Time Again,'' with the White Guardian also appearing as a supporting character.<ref>{{Cite comic |date=25 November 1993 |title=[[Doctor Who Magazine]] |story=Time & Time Again |issue=207 |publisher=[[Marvel Comics]] |writer=[[Paul Cornell|Cornell, Paul]] |artist=Ridgway, John}}</ref> The 1998 comic story ''Happy Deathday'' depicts another Guardian, dubbed the Beige Guardian, attempting to kill the first eight incarnations of the Doctor, but is later revealed to actually be a character in a video game being played by the [[Eighth Doctor]]'s companion [[Izzy Sinclair]].<ref>{{Cite comic |date=19 November 1998 |title=[[Doctor Who Magazine]] |story=Happy Deathday |issue=272 |publisher=[[Panini Comics]] |writer=Gray, Scott |artist=Langridge, Roger}}</ref> === The Mara === {{Main|Mara (Doctor Who)|l1 = Mara (''Doctor Who'')}}

[[File:Dunhuang Mara Budda.jpg|alt=An artistic tapestry, depicting a large number of individuals. In the center resides a figure, sitting cross-legged.|thumb|257x257px|The demon [[Mara (demon)|Mara]], alongside his daughters and army, as seen in an artistic depiction, attempting to tempt the [[The Buddha|Buddha]]. Mara was used as the namesake for ''Doctor Who''<nowiki/>'s Mara.]] The Mara is a [[Gestalt psychology|gestalt]] entity that preys upon beings via their dreams. It first appears in the 1982 serial ''[[Kinda (Doctor Who)|Kinda]].'' It is [[Non-corporeal being|non-corporeal]], and dwells within a realm known as "The Dark Places of the Inside", having been created through the darkness present in the hearts of humans. Bound to existing outside the universe, the Mara frequently attempts to possess others to escape its prison,<ref name=":117">{{Cite web |last=Court |first=David |date=11 May 2022 |title=The 15 Creepiest Aliens In Doctor Who History |url=https://www.slashfilm.com/860545/the-creepiest-aliens-in-doctor-who-history/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250531110622/https://www.slashfilm.com/860545/the-creepiest-aliens-in-doctor-who-history/ |archive-date=31 May 2025 |access-date=16 June 2025 |website=[[SlashFilm]]-US}}</ref> and often utilises the form of a [[snake]] while manifesting.<ref name=":015">{{Cite web |last=Sarrubba |first=Stefania |date=24 October 2024 |title=Doctor Who legend returns to face vintage villain in new show spin-off |url=https://www.digitalspy.com/tv/a62705169/doctor-who-mara-spin-off/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250409001413/https://www.digitalspy.com/tv/a62705169/doctor-who-mara-spin-off/ |archive-date=9 April 2025 |access-date=16 June 2025 |website=[[Digital Spy]]-GB}}</ref> In ''Kinda,'' the Mara enters the dreams of the [[Fifth Doctor]]'s companion [[Tegan Jovanka]], and from there attempts to stir up discontent among the locals of the planet Deva Loka before the Doctor is able to drive it away by forcing it into a circle of mirrors.<ref name=":329">{{Cite book |last=Ainsworth |first=John |title=Doctor Who: The Complete History: Castrovalva – Four to Doomsday – Kinda |date=13 July 2016 |publisher=[[Hachette Partworks]], [[Panini Publishing]] |pages=92-110 |issn=2057-6048|year=2016n}}</ref> The Mara subsequently appears in 1983's ''[[Snakedance]]'', where the Mara possesses Tegan in order to go to the planet Manussa and obtain a crystal that allowed the Mara to manifest physically, though this plan is thwarted by the Doctor once again.{{Sfn|Ainsworth|2017e|pp=56–63}}

The scripts for both ''Kinda'' and ''Snakedance'' were written by [[Christopher Bailey (screenwriter)|Christopher Bailey]]. When initially writing ''Kinda'', Bailey was studying concepts pertaining to [[Buddhism]], which influenced large aspects of the script; similarly, other elements from other religious works were included as inspiration.<ref name=":329" /> The Mara's name was taken from [[Mara (demon)|Mara]], a demon which tempted [[The Buddha]] in Buddhist mythology.<ref name=":317">{{Cite web |last=Bahn |first=Christopher |date=30 October 2011 |title=Doctor Who (Classic): "Kinda" |url=https://www.avclub.com/doctor-who-classic-kinda-1798170215 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250519223604/https://www.avclub.com/doctor-who-classic-kinda-1798170215 |archive-date=19 May 2025 |access-date=16 June 2025 |website=[[A.V. Club]]-US}}</ref> According to Bailey, the Mara was originally conceived of as an aspect of Tegan's character, and the Mara was characterised as an [[Ambivalence|ambivalent]] figure, with the Mara taking on a different form depending on the host. As development progressed, the Mara slowly evolved into a more villainous figure, which Bailey equivalated to the Christian [[Devil]] more than the original Buddhist ideas he had aimed for.<ref name=":25">{{cite book |author1=Tulloch, John |url= |title=Doctor Who: The Unfolding Text |author2=Alvarado, Manuel |author2-link= |publisher=[[St. Martin's Press]] |year=1983 |isbn=0-312-21480-4 |url-access=|pages=270-274}}</ref> The Mara was portrayed by physical giant snake props in its appearances,<ref name=":329" />{{Sfn|Ainsworth|2017e|pp=56–63}} though later releases of ''Kinda'' depicted the Mara with computer-generated imagery.<ref name=":317" />

===Eternal=== {{See also|Enlightenment (Doctor Who)|l1=''Enlightenment'' (''Doctor Who'')|Can You Hear Me? (Doctor Who)|l2="Can You Hear Me?" (''Doctor Who'')}}

The Eternals are a race of powerful beings first introduced in ''[[Enlightenment (Doctor Who)|Enlightenment]]'' (1983). The Eternals live outside time, and have the ability to manipulate matter and create objects from nothing. They manipulate "Ephemerals" (their word for mortal beings) for fun.<ref name=":19" /> In ''Enlightenment,'' the [[Fifth Doctor]] ended up encountering a group of Eternals, who sought to win the "Enlightenment" from the Black and White Guardians in a competition between themselves. Fighting a group of antagonist Eternals in the competition, the Doctor was able to prevent the Eternals from winning Enlightenment.<ref name=":18">{{cite book |last1=Wood |first1=Tat |title=About Time, volume 5: 1980-1984 |last2=Miles |first2=Lawrence |date=2005 |publisher=[[Mad Norwegian Press]] |isbn=0-9759446-4-9 |pages=221–222 |chapter=20.5: Enlightenment}}</ref> Though the Eternals were referenced in the show's 2005 revival, they did not re-appear physically until "[[Can You Hear Me? (Doctor Who)|Can You Hear Me?]]" (2020),<ref>{{Cite web |last=Britt |first=Ryan |date=9 February 2020 |title=Doctor Who brings back some retro, crucial 5th Doctor villains |url=https://www.syfy.com/syfy-wire/doctor-who-brings-back-some-retro-crucial-5th-doctor-villains |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250601194246/https://www.syfy.com/syfy-wire/doctor-who-brings-back-some-retro-crucial-5th-doctor-villains |archive-date=1 June 2025 |access-date=29 August 2025 |website=[[SYFY]]-US}}</ref> in which a pair named Zellin and Rakaya appear as the primary antagonists. Wishing to siphon nightmares in order to feed on them, they are tricked and imprisoned by the Thirteenth Doctor.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Siede |first=Caroline |date=10 February 2020 |title=Doctor Who is all over the map in an episode about mental health |url=https://www.avclub.com/doctor-who-is-all-over-the-map-in-an-episode-about-ment-1841541467 |access-date=1 July 2024 |website=[[The A.V. Club]] |archive-date=13 June 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210613151313/https://www.avclub.com/doctor-who-is-all-over-the-map-in-an-episode-about-ment-1841541467 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Martin |first=Dan |date=9 February 2020 |title=Doctor Who recap: series 38, episode seven – Can You Hear Me? |url=https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2020/feb/09/doctor-who-recap-series-38-episode-seven-can-you-hear-me |access-date=1 July 2024 |work=[[The Guardian]]-GB |issn=0261-3077 |archive-date=9 February 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200209204440/https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2020/feb/09/doctor-who-recap-series-38-episode-seven-can-you-hear-me |url-status=live }}</ref>

The Eternals were created by writer [[Barbara Clegg]]. The Eternals' "detached" personality was based on Clegg's observation of her rich family members' response to other members of the family, which she characterised as if they were playing with "lesser beings". Many of the actors for the Eternals were cast for being able to give a "detached" performance.{{Sfn|Ainsworth|2017f|pp=46–47}} In "Can You Hear Me?", Zellin and Rakaya are portrayed by [[Ian Gelder]] and [[Clare-Hope Ashitey]], respectively.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Mulkern |first=Patrick |date=9 February 2020 |title=Doctor Who: Can You Hear Me? review |url=https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/sci-fi/doctor-who-guide/doctor-who-can-you-hear-me/ |access-date=29 August 2025 |website=[[Radio Times]]-GB |archive-date=20 August 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250820164934/https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/sci-fi/doctor-who-guide/doctor-who-can-you-hear-me/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

An Eternal, who acts as a [[Personifications of death|personification of Death]], is introduced in the 1991 novel ''[[Timewyrm: Revelation]]''.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Cornell |first=Paul |author-link=Paul Cornell |title=Timewyrm: Revelation |date=5 December 1991 |publisher=[[Virgin Publishing]] |isbn=0-426-20360-7}}</ref> She subsequently appears in the 1992 novel ''Love and War,''<ref name=":76" /> the 1998 novel ''[[Happy Endings (Doctor Who)|Happy Endings]]'',<ref>{{Cite book |last=Cornell |first=Paul |author-link=Paul Cornell |title=Happy Endings |date=16 May 1996 |publisher=[[Virgin Publishing]] |isbn=0-426-20470-0}}</ref> the 2003 audio drama ''[[Master (audio drama)|Master]]''.<ref>{{Cite AV media |url= |title=[[Master (audio drama)|Master]] |date=31 October 2003 |last=Lidster |first=Joseph |type=Audio drama |isbn=978-1-84435-770-3|publisher=[[Big Finish Productions]]}}</ref> Death's siblings, who act as personifications of pain and time, appear in the 1995 novel ''[[Set Piece (Doctor Who)|Set Piece]]''.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Orman |first=Kate |title=Set Piece |date=16 February 1995 |publisher=[[Virgin Publishing]] |isbn=0-426-20436-0}}</ref> Other Eternals appear in the 1994 comic ''Uninvited Guest'', which depicts a group of them playing games with a planet which resulted in the planet's destruction. The Seventh Doctor arrives and strips away their immortality as punishment.<ref>{{Cite comic |date=17 March 1994 |title=[[Doctor Who Magazine]] |story=Uninvited Guest |issue=211 |publisher=[[Marvel UK]] |writer=Gray, Warwick |artist=Ridgway, John}}</ref> Another group appears in the [[Bernice Summerfield]] 2005 audio drama ''Professor Bernice Summerfield and the Heart's Desire'', which depicts a pair of Eternals having obtained a shard of Enlightenment to use for their games, only to be stopped by Bernice, who strips them of their immortality and throws the shard into space.<ref>{{Cite AV media |url= |title=Professor Bernice Summerfield and the Heart's Desire |date=June 2005 |last=Bailey |first=David |last2=Corry |first2=Neil |type=Audio drama |isbn=978-1-83868-660-4|publisher=[[Big Finish Productions]]}}</ref>

=== Mentor === {{See also|Vengeance on Varos|l1=''Vengeance on Varos''|Mindwarp|l2=''Mindwarp''}}

Mentors are slug-like [[Capitalism|capitalists]] who first appear in the serial ''[[Vengeance on Varos]]'' (1985).<ref>{{cite book |last1=Wood |first1=Tat |title=About Time, volume 6: 1985-1989 |date=2007 |publisher=[[Mad Norwegian Press]] |isbn=978-0-9759446-5-3 |page=128 |chapter=23.2: The Trial of a Time Lord: Mindwarp}}</ref> A Mentor named Sil attempts to oust the governor of the planet Varos in order to obtain a material named Zytton, which he can then sell at low prices for a profit.{{Sfn|Kenneth Muir|2007|p=351}} Sil failed thanks to the Sixth Doctor's efforts,<ref name=":9">{{Cite web |title=Sil {{!}} Explore the Whoniverse |url=https://www.doctorwho.tv/characters/sil |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250709064959/https://www.doctorwho.tv/characters/sil |archive-date=9 July 2025 |access-date=29 August 2025 |website=Doctor Who.TV |url-status=live }}</ref> and later returns to Thoros-Beta, the home planet of the Mentors. He re-appears in 1986's ''[[Mindwarp]]'', where Sil aids in capturing the Doctor's companion [[Peri Brown|Peri]] so her body can be used to house the mind of the dying Mentor leader Kiv.{{Sfn|Kenneth Muir|2007|pp=361–362}}

Created by writer Phillip Martin, Sil was originally developed as an aquatic creature, done to address the idea that such creatures did not feature often in science-fiction media. His name was derived from the [[Silurian era]].<ref name="Ainsworth2017">{{Cite book |last=Ainsworth |first=John |title=Doctor Who: The Complete History: The Twin Dilemma – Attack of the Cybermen – Vengeance on Varos |date=4 May 2016 |publisher=[[Hachette Partworks]], [[Panini Publishing]] |pages=107 |issn=2057-6048|year=2016o}}</ref> Sil is portrayed by actor [[Nabil Shaban]] in his television appearances.<ref name=":9" /> Sil's popularity in his debut serial, credited by literary critic [[John Kenneth Muir]] as being largely due to Shaban's performance, allowed for a return to the character in ''Mindwarp''.{{Sfn|Kenneth Muir|2007|p=351}} Sil's return resulted in Martin electing to visit Thoros-Beta, Sil's home planet. Thoros-Beta was conceived as having no natural resources, and to convey Martin's fear of rampant capitalism, the Mentors, Sil's race, were made to survive solely by investment of dubious nature. Also having concerns about genetic engineering, Martin made it so the Mentors had a heavy emphasis on them as a race that survived solely by mutation and augmentation.<ref name="Ainsworth2017a">{{Cite book |last=Ainsworth |first=John |title=Doctor Who: The Complete History: The Trial of a Time Lord |date=26 July 2017 |publisher=[[Hachette Partworks]], [[Panini Publishing]]. |pages=64-65 |issn=2057-6048|year=2017g}}</ref>

Sil later appeared in the 2014 audio drama ''[[Antidote to Oblivion]]'', in which he attempts to trick a future bankrupt Britain as part of a plan of his.<ref>{{Cite AV media |url= |title=Antidote to Oblivion |date=14 January 2014 |last=Martin |first=Philip |type=Audio drama |isbn=978-1-78575-729-7|publisher=[[Big Finish Productions]]}}</ref> A spin-off film starring Sil, named ''[[Sil and the Devil Seeds of Arodor]]'', was released by [[Reeltime Pictures]] in 2019. The film depicts Sil attempting to escape from being found guilty after being put on trial.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Fortune |first=Ed |title=SIL AND THE DEVIL SEEDS OF ARODOR |url=https://www.starburstmagazine.com/reviews/sil-devil-seeds-arodor/ |access-date=29 August 2025 |website=[[Starburst Magazine]]-GB |archive-date=7 February 2026 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260207230658/https://www.starburstmagazine.com/reviews/sil-devil-seeds-arodor/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

== Introduced from 2005–present ==

=== Raxacoricofallapatorian === {{Main|Slitheen}}

The Raxacoricofallapatorians first appeared in the 2005 episodes "[[Aliens of London]]" and "[[World War Three (Doctor Who)|World War Three]]", which feature a [[Crime family|criminal family]] of them named the [[Slitheen]]. The Slitheen are capable of disguising themselves as humans via skin suits, but the process causes a buildup of "gas exchange", causing the Slitheen to fart while in disguise.{{Sfn|Parsons|2006|pp=121–128}} The Slitheen are susceptible to [[vinegar]] due to being [[calcium]]-based lifeforms,{{Sfn|Parsons|2006|pp=121–128}} causing them to explode on contact with vinegar.<ref name=":05">{{Cite magazine |date=1 October 2009 |editor-last=Hickman |editor-first=Clayton |title=Sarah Jane Smith |magazine=[[Doctor Who Magazine]] |publisher=[[Panini Publishing]] |volume=23|pages=23}}</ref> The Slitheen re-appear in the 2005 episode "[[Boom Town (Doctor Who)|Boom Town]]", which focuses on a member of the family named Blon Fel-Fotch Pasameer-Day Slitheen,<ref name=":622">{{Cite book |last=Ainsworth |first=John |title=Doctor Who: The Complete History: The Empty Child - The Doctor Dances - Boom Town - Bad Wolf - The Parting of the Ways |date=10 January 2018 |publisher=[[Hachette Partworks]], [[Panini Publishing]]. |issn=2057-6048|year=2018f|pages=66–67}}</ref> and in ''Doctor Who'' spin-off series ''The Sarah Jane Adventures.<ref name=":05" />'' Another family of Raxacoricofallapatorians, named the Blathereen, appear in the book ''[[The Monsters Inside]]''<ref>{{Cite book |last=Cole |first=Stephen |title=The Monsters Inside |date=19 May 2005 |publisher=[[BBC Books]] |isbn=0-563-48629-5}}</ref> and in ''The Sarah Jane Adventures.<ref name=":211">{{Cite magazine |date=20 April 2011 |editor-last=Spilsbury |editor-first=Tom |title=The Sarah Jane Companion: Volume Two |magazine=[[Doctor Who Magazine]] |publisher=[[Panini Publishing]] |page=45 |volume=28}}</ref>''

While writing "Aliens of London" and "World War Three", writer [[Russell T Davies]] wished to incorporate the idea of an alien crime family, leading to the creation of the Slitheen. The subsequent visual design was created by design company Millenium FX, based on some of Davies's notes. The performance of [[Annette Badland]], who portrayed Blon Fel-Fotch Pasameer-Day, impressed Davies while filming the episode, resulting in him deciding to bring Badland back for the episode "Boom Town".<ref name=":65">{{Cite book |last=Ainsworth |first=John |title=Doctor Who: The Complete History: Aliens of London - World War Three - Dalek - The Long Game - Father's Day |date=8 February 2017 |publisher=[[Hachette Partworks]], [[Panini Publishing]]. |pages=14, 20, 23 |issn=2057-6048|year=2017h}}</ref> ''The Sarah Jane Adventures'' was pitched with the idea of "Sarah Jane versus the Slitheen." The Slitheen had several assets considered desirable by the production team, such as popularity with ''Doctor Who'' viewers, which allowed viewers of the main show to be brought into the new spin-off series. The Slitheen subsequently became major recurring antagonists within the series.<ref name=":05" />

===Graske=== {{See also|Attack of the Graske|l1=''Attack of the Graske''|Whatever Happened to Sarah Jane?|l2=''Whatever Happened to Sarah Jane?''|The Temptation of Sarah Jane Smith|l3=''The Temptation of Sarah Jane Smith''}}The Graske are a race of diminutive aliens that first appeared in the interactive ''Doctor Who'' mini-episode "[[Attack of the Graske]]" (2005).<ref name=":39">{{Cite web |date=12 December 2005 |title=BBC - Press Office - Doctor Who Attack of the Graske |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/pressoffice/pressreleases/stories/2005/12_december/12/who.shtml |access-date=22 January 2026 |website=[[BBC]] |archive-date=17 December 2005 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051217181909/https://www.bbc.co.uk/pressoffice/pressreleases/stories/2005/12_december/12/who.shtml |url-status=live }}</ref> They infiltrate planets by subtly replacing members of the planet's species with disguised Graske.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Brown |first=Ed |date=9 March 2022 |title='Doctor Who': 7 Villains the Doctor Could Take in a Fist Fight |url=https://collider.com/doctor-who-enemies-the-doctor-could-take-in-a-fist-fight/ |access-date=27 June 2024 |website=[[Collider (website)|Collider]] |archive-date=9 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220309233530/https://collider.com/doctor-who-enemies-the-doctor-could-take-in-a-fist-fight/ |url-status=live }}</ref> A Graske named Krislok appears in ''[[The Sarah Jane Adventures]]'' stories "[[Whatever Happened to Sarah Jane?]]" (2007) and "[[The Temptation of Sarah Jane Smith]]" (2008). Originally a henchman and slave of [[The Trickster (Doctor Who)|the Trickster]], who saved him from death, Krislok later gains his freedom.<ref>{{cite episode |title=Whatever Happened to Sarah Jane? |episode-link=Whatever Happened to Sarah Jane? |series=The Sarah Jane Adventures |series-link=The Sarah Jane Adventures |network=[[BBC]] |station=[[CBBC]] |airdate=29 October 2007 |credits=Writer [[Gareth Roberts (writer)|Gareth Roberts]], Director [[Graeme Harper]], Producer Matthew Bouch}}</ref><ref>{{cite episode |title=The Temptation of Sarah Jane Smith |episode-link=The Temptation of Sarah Jane Smith |series=The Sarah Jane Adventures |series-link=The Sarah Jane Adventures |network=[[BBC]] |station=[[CBBC]] |airdate=17 November 2008 |credits=Writer [[Gareth Roberts (writer)|Gareth Roberts]], Director [[Graeme Harper]], Producer [[Nikki Wilson]]}}</ref> An unnamed Graske appears in a mini-episode titled "[[Music of the Spheres (Doctor Who)|Music of the Spheres]]" (2008).<ref name=":13">{{Cite web |title=BBC - Doctor Who - Doctor Who Prom, 2008 |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/doctorwho/s4/features/bulletins/bulletin_100114_01 |access-date=27 June 2024 |website=[[BBC]]-GB |archive-date=28 January 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100128184514/https://www.bbc.co.uk/doctorwho/s4/features/bulletins/bulletin_100114_01 |url-status=live }}</ref> A Graske appears in the 2015 spin-off short story ''The Pest of Paternoster Row,'' where the [[Paternoster Gang]] fight a Graske.<ref>{{Cite book |title=Doctor Who The Official Annual 2016 |date=1 October 2015 |publisher=BBC Children's Books |isbn=978-1-4059-2001-8 |chapter=The Pest of Paternoster Row}}</ref> A similar, albeit blue, species known as the Groske appear in 2010 ''The Sarah Jane Adventures'' episode "[[Death of the Doctor]]".<ref>{{cite episode |title=Death of the Doctor |episode-link=Death of the Doctor |series=The Sarah Jane Adventures |series-link=The Sarah Jane Adventures |network=[[BBC]] |station=[[CBBC]] |airdate=25 October 2010 |credits=Writer [[Russell T Davies]], Director Ashley Way, Producer Brian Minchin, [[Phil Ford (writer)|Phil Ford]]}}</ref>

=== Sycorax === {{See also|The Christmas Invasion|l1="The Christmas Invasion"}}

The Sycorax first appeared in the debut [[Tenth Doctor]] story "[[The Christmas Invasion]]" (2005).<ref name=":31">{{cite book |last1=Wood |first1=Tat |title=About Time, volume 7: 2005-2006 |date=2013 |publisher=[[Mad Norwegian Press]] |isbn=978-1935234159 |page=226 |chapter=X2.0: The Christmas Invasion}}</ref> The Sycorax are a warrior-like, hostile race, wearing skull-like masks and using a "laser-lash" item as weapons.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Mulkern |first=Patrick |date=15 October 2013 |title=The Christmas Invasion ★★★★★ |url=https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/sci-fi/doctor-who-guide/the-christmas-invasion/ |access-date=13 August 2025 |website=[[Radio Times]]-GB |archive-date=15 May 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250515153655/https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/sci-fi/doctor-who-guide/the-christmas-invasion/ |url-status=live }}</ref> They use a method known as "blood control" to control the minds of all people on Earth with a designated blood type, which they threaten to use to make all they control jump off buildings to kill themselves. The blood control is not able to do this, however, and it is merely a trick to make Earth officials surrender the planet to them.<ref name=":7" /> The plan is stopped by the Tenth Doctor, who defeats the Sycorax leader in a sword fight and forces them to stay away from the planet. Their ship is destroyed as they are leaving by Prime Minister [[Harriet Jones]].<ref name=":31" /> Subsequently, Sycorax make cameo appearances in the episodes "[[The Pandorica Opens]]" (2010),<ref name=":111" /> "[[The Magician's Apprentice (Doctor Who)|The Magician's Apprentice]]" (2015),<ref name=":7" /> and "[[Revolution of the Daleks]]" (2021).<ref>{{Cite web |last=Johnston |first=Rich |date=1 January 2021 |title=Ten Thoughts About Doctor Who: Revolution Of The Daleks |url=https://bleedingcool.com/tv/ten-thoughts-about-doctor-who-revolution-of-the-daleks/ |access-date=13 August 2025 |website=[[Bleeding Cool]] |archive-date=18 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220118022832/https://bleedingcool.com/tv/ten-thoughts-about-doctor-who-revolution-of-the-daleks/ |url-status=live }}</ref> [[File:Sycorax (Bell).jpg|alt=An old woman, hunched over and cloaked, using a stick to walk, with the name "Sycorax" spelt next to her|thumb|An illustration of the Shakespearean character [[Sycorax]], after whom the Sycorax were named]] The Sycorax were created because episode writer Russell T Davies wanted an alien with a convincing prosthetic face that utilised the actor's eyes and mouth; this had not been attempted previously in the show's revival.{{Sfn|Ainsworth|2015d|p=15}} The name of the species hails from the character [[Sycorax]] from [[William Shakespeare]]'s play ''[[The Tempest]]''.<ref>{{Cite book |last=MacRury |first=Iain |url=https://www.google.com/books/edition/The_Inner_World_of_Doctor_Who/TX1aDwAAQBAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=%22Sycorax%22+++%22Doctor+Who%22&pg=RA2-PT36&printsec=frontcover |title=The Inner World of Doctor Who: Psychoanalytic Reflections in Time and Space |last2=Rustin |first2=Michael |date=11 May 2018 |publisher=[[Routledge]] |isbn=978-0-429-92109-4}}</ref> For a plot point in the episode in which the characters are unable to translate the Sycorax's language to English, Davies devised an entire language for the Sycorax to speak. The Sycorax's robes were inspired by [[Masai warriors]], with the Sycorax's skull-like helmets, which Davies wanted the audience to assume were the Sycorax's actual faces, inspired by the character Kurgan's helmet in the 1986 film [[Highlander (film)|''Highlander'']].{{Sfn|Ainsworth|2015d|pp=25–26}}

A Sycorax appears in the 2008 comic ''Agent Provocateur,'' where the Tenth Doctor and his companion [[Martha Jones]] fight a Sycorax and defeat it.<ref name=":45">{{Cite comic |date=27 February - 13 August 2008 |title=Doctor Who |story=Agent Provacateur |issue=1-6 |publisher=[[IDW Publishing]] |writer=Russell, Gary |artist=Roche, Nick; Maria Beroy, Jose; Martino, Stefano; Pierfederici, Mirco}}</ref> The Sycorax appear in another 2008 comic titled ''The Widow's Curse'', where the wives of the Sycorax who invaded Earth previously attempt to get revenge for the deaths of their husbands.<ref>{{Cite comic |date=28 May - 20 August 2008 |title=[[Doctor Who Magazine]] |story=The Widow's Curse |publisher=[[Panini Publishing]] |writer=Davis, Rob |penciller=Geraghty, Martin |inker=A. Roach, David}}</ref> 2017 comic series ''Ghost Stories'' depicts the Twelfth Doctor and superhero the Ghost fighting a Sycorax named Kraxnor, who attempts to create a rift in the universe by sacrificing multiple planets in order to stop the spread of "dark energy".<ref name=":402" /> The 2023 comic ''Into Control'' sees the Fourteenth Doctor fighting the Sycorax Queen.<ref>{{Cite comic |date=7 September 2023 |title=Doctor Who Annual |story=Into Control |publisher=[[Penguin Books]] |writer=Cole, Steve}}</ref> The Seventh Doctor faces the Sycorax in the 2016 audio ''Harvest of the Sycorax'', where he has to stop their efforts to take control of a space station that contains blood samples taken from the entire human race of the far future.<ref>{{Cite AV media |url= |title=Harvest of the Sycorax |date=28 July 2016 |last=Goss |first=James |author-link=James Goss (producer) |type=Audio drama |isbn=978-1-78178-947-6|publisher=[[Big Finish Productions]]}}</ref> The Sycorax appear in the 2018 short story ''Red Planet'', where they capture an [[Ice Warrior]] and force it into combat in an arena. The Sycorax end up facing the Fourth Doctor in combat.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Rudden |first=Dave |title=Twelve Angels Weeping |date=11 October 2018 |publisher=BBC Children's Books |isbn=978-1405938273 |chapter=Red Planet}}</ref> The Sycorax also appear in the 2010 [[Choose Your Own Adventure]] book ''The Coldest War''.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Brake |first=Colin |title=The Coldest War |date=29 April 2010 |publisher=BBC Children's Books |isbn=978-1-4059-0686-9}}</ref>

==== Roboforms ==== A group of robots, referred to as "[[pilot fish]]"<ref name=":31" /> and Roboforms,<ref name="monsterfile" /> act as scavengers.{{Sfn|Crome|McGrath|2013|pp=109–111}} They appeared shortly before the Sycorax's invasion, attempting to capture the Doctor so they could use his regeneration energy to power their ships. Disguising themselves as [[Santa Claus]] and using a robotic killer [[Christmas tree]], they are stopped by the Tenth Doctor.<ref name=":31" /> These robots were later used as servants by the [[Racnoss]] in the episode "[[The Runaway Bride (Doctor Who)|The Runaway Bride]]" (2006),{{Sfn|Crome|McGrath|2013|pp=109–111}} and appeared in "[[The Pandorica Opens]]" (2010) as part of an alliance of alien species working to imprison the Eleventh Doctor.<ref name="monsterfile">{{cite video |title=Doctor Who: The Complete Fifth Series |date=2010 |medium=DVD |publisher=BBC |at=Disc 6 |people=[[Arthur Darvill|Darvill, Arthur]]; [[Karen Gillan]]; [[Toby Haynes]]; [[Steven Moffat]]; [[Piers Wenger]] |section=The Monster Files&nbsp;– The Alliance}}</ref> They also appear in the 2011 spin-off comic ''Silent Knight'', where the Eleventh Doctor stops them from interfering with the real Santa's deliveries of presents around the world.<ref>{{Cite comic |date=14 December 2011 |title=Doctor Who |story=Silent Knight |issue=12 |publisher=[[IDW Publishing]] |writer=Lee, Tony |artist=Grist, Paul}}</ref>

===Catkind=== {{See also|New Earth (Doctor Who)|l1="New Earth" (''Doctor Who'')|Gridlock (Doctor Who)|l2="Gridlock" (''Doctor Who'')}}The Catkind are felines humanoids that first appear the 2006 episode "[[New Earth (Doctor Who)|New Earth]]".<ref name=":5">{{cite book |last1=Wood |first1=Tat |title=About Time, volume 7: 2005-2006 |date=2013 |publisher=[[Mad Norwegian Press]] |isbn=978-1-935234-15-9 |page=244 |chapter=X2.1: New Earth}}</ref> In "New Earth", a group of Catkind called the Sisters of Plenitude run a hospital on the titular planet near the city of New New York, where they test on cloned human subjects by infecting them with every disease in order to concoct cures for them. The subjects later escape, infecting many in the hospital, including several of the Sisters. The Tenth Doctor develops a cure for the infected, and the Sisters are subsequently arrested for their experimentation.<ref name=":5" /> In "[[Gridlock (Doctor Who)|Gridlock]]" (2007), most of the city of New New York is killed by a plague. One of the Catkind, Thomas Kincade Brannigan, is trapped in the Motorway beneath the city, and is encountered by the Tenth Doctor while he is trying to reunite with his companion Martha Jones. A surviving member of the Sisters of Plentitude, Novice Hame, also appears. Hame survived the plague via the protection of character the [[Face of Boe]], and she aids the Tenth Doctor in opening the Motorway, allowing those trapped to escape.<ref>{{cite episode |title=Gridlock |episode-link=Gridlock (Doctor Who) |series=Doctor Who |series-link=Doctor Who |network=BBC |station=BBC1 |airdate=14 April 2007 |credits=Writer [[Russell T Davies]], Director [[Richard Clark (director)|Richard Clark]], Producer [[Phil Collinson]]}}</ref>

The Catkind were conceived as cats that had evolved into a humanoid form, which episode writer Russell T Davies did so the visual effects looked convincing. This allowed the visual effects team to use prosthetics for their visual designs instead of using costumes, which they felt looked better than costumes.{{Sfn|Ainsworth|2015d|p=76}} Davies enjoyed [[Anna Hope]]'s performance as Hame, and thus sought to bring her back for "Gridlock", where she was redeemed as a character following her role in "New Earth". As only female Catkind had been seen previously, Davies wished to include a male Catkind, which resulted in the character of Brannigan being added to the story.{{Sfn|Ainsworth|2015c|pp=32–33}}

Hame later appeared in the 2018 audio drama series ''Tales from New Earth,'' which depicts her attempting to rebuild New Earth society after the events of "Gridlock", with Hope reprising her role as Hame.<ref>{{Cite web |last=McEwan |first=Cameron |date=27 February 2018 |title=Big Finish travel back to New Earth for more audio adventures |url=https://www.doctorwho.tv/news-and-features/big-finish-travel-back-to-new-earth-for-more-audio-adventures |website=Doctor Who.TV |access-date=22 January 2026 |archive-date=8 February 2026 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260208081129/https://www.doctorwho.tv/news-and-features/big-finish-travel-back-to-new-earth-for-more-audio-adventures |url-status=live }}</ref> A short scene, titled ''"''The Secret of Novice Hame" was released as part of a tie-in with a [[Watchalong|watch-along]] for "New Earth" held during the [[COVID-19 pandemic]] in 2020. The scene features Hame on her deathbed in the far future as she awaits the Doctor's arrival. Hope reprised her role in the scene.<ref name=":6">{{Cite web |last=Fullerton |first=Huw |date=1 June 2020 |title=Doctor Who: Russell T Davies hints at new regeneration twist in David Tennant mini-scene |url=https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/sci-fi/doctor-who-animal-regeneration/ |access-date=27 June 2024 |website=[[Radio Times]]-GB |archive-date=14 May 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210514034812/https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/sci-fi/doctor-who-animal-regeneration/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Catkind appear in the 2008 comic ''Agent Provacateur,<ref name=":45" />'' while a Sister of Plenitude appears in the 2016 short story ''Fairy Tale of New New York''.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Russell |first=Gary |title=Twelve Doctors of Christmas |date=6 October 2016 |publisher=BBC Children's Books |isbn=978-1-4059-2895-3 |chapter=Fairy Tale of New New York}}</ref>

=== Krillitane === {{See also|School Reunion (Doctor Who)|l1="School Reunion" (''Doctor Who'')}}

The Krillitanes are a race who take attributes from other races to change their appearance. They first appear in the episode "[[School Reunion (Doctor Who)|School Reunion]]" (2006), where they attempt to crack the "Skasis Paradigm", a [[theory of everything]], by using "Krillitane Oil" to improve the intelligence of a group of [[primary school]] children. They are destroyed by [[K9 (Doctor Who)|K9]], who fires a laser at the Oil, which explodes and kills the Krillitane.{{Sfn|Layton|2014|p=220}} Actor [[Anthony Head]] portrays the Krillitanes' leader, Brother Lassar.<ref name=":7" /> The Krillitanes were created by the episode's writer, [[Toby Whithouse]]. During development of the episode, the Krillitane were originally named Krillians, but were re-named due to the name already being taken by a computer company. Though the final Krillitane were portrayed entirely with [[Computer-generated imagery|computer generated imagery]], it was originally planned for the human actors to have wings and have them fly through the school. This was deemed impractical, leading to the CGI Krillitanes' usage instead.{{Sfn|Ainsworth|2016p|p=15}}

The Krillitane appear in the 2009 novel ''[[The Krillitane Storm]]'', where they appear in [[medieval England]],<ref>{{Cite book |last=Cooper |first=Christopher |url=https://www.google.com/books/edition/Doctor_Who_The_Krillitane_Storm/MDYnZJVIQtgC?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=%22Krillitane%22&pg=PA59&printsec=frontcover |title=Doctor Who: The Krillitane Storm |date=10 November 2009 |publisher=[[Random House]] |isbn=978-1-4090-7060-3}}</ref> and 2010 novel ''Code of the Krillitanes'', which sees the Krillitanes using crisps to make humans more intelligent, attempting to hijack the internet for their plan.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Richards |first=Justin |title=Code of the Krillitanes |date=4 March 2010 |publisher=[[BBC Books]] |isbn=978-1-84607-928-3|author-link=Justin Richards}}</ref> The Krillitane appear in the 2025 audio drama ''The Krillitane Feint'', where a military outpost on another planet is experimenting on and attacked by Krillitanes, who have taken the forms of several humans as well the Second Doctor and his companions. These Krillitane attack and kill nearly everyone in the base except one, who sets the base's reactor to explode to take out the Krillitanes and prevent them from reaching Earth.<ref>{{Cite AV media |url= |title=The Krillitane Feint |date=21 January 2025 |last=Dorney |first=John |type=Audio drama |isbn=978-1-80240-648-1|publisher=[[Big Finish Productions]]}}</ref> In later 2025 audio drama ''The Krillitane Relic'', a Krillitane from the military outpost was revealed to have survived, and aids a group of Krillitane in infiltrating a human space outpost. This Krillitane is killed by the others, and the Seventh Doctor kills the remaining Krillitane.<ref>{{Cite AV media |url= |title=The Krillitane Relic |date=21 January 2025 |last=Dorney |first=John |type=Audio drama |isbn=978-1-80240-648-1|publisher=[[Big Finish Productions]]}}</ref> A Krillitane appears in 2018 short story ''The Heist'', where it aids in infiltrating an alien market,<ref>{{Cite book |last=Rudden |first=Dave |title=Twelve Angels Weeping |date=11 October 2018 |publisher=BBC Children's Books |isbn=978-1-4059-3827-3 |chapter=The Heist}}</ref> and another appears in the 2015 short story ''The Gingerbread Trap'', where a pair of children encounter one disguised as an old woman, who they are able to defeat.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Richards |first=Justin |title=Time Lord Fairy Tales |date=1 October 2015 |publisher=BBC Children's Books |isbn=978-1-4059-2002-5 |chapter=The Gingerbread Trap}}</ref> The Krillitane also appear in the 2009 comic story ''Fugitive'', where an alien shapeshifter, pretending to be Lassar, puts the Doctor on trial. Lassar's impostor attempts to take control of intergalactic law body the Shadow Proclamation with the help of the Krillitane and some rogue Judoon, but is thwarted by the Doctor with help from the Ogrons, Sontarans, and Draconians.<ref name=":41" />

=== Clockwork Droid === {{See also|The Girl in the Fireplace|l1="The Girl in the Fireplace"|Deep Breath (Doctor Who)|l2="Deep Breath" (''Doctor Who'')}}The Clockwork Droids are a type of robot that first appear in the 2006 episode "[[The Girl in the Fireplace]]". When the spaceship "Madame de Pompadour" carrying them is hit by an [[ion]] storm in deep space, the Droids become confused and believe they need to capture the real [[Madame de Pompadour]] to repair the vessel. Travelling back in time to capture her, they are thwarted by the Tenth Doctor.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Trenholm |first=Richard |date=23 August 2014 |title=That 'Doctor Who' continuity reference explained: Who are the clockwork robots? |url=https://www.cnet.com/culture/that-doctor-who-continuity-reference-explained-who-are-the-clockwork-robots/ |access-date=28 June 2025 |website=[[CNET]] |archive-date=2 October 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251002175705/https://www.cnet.com/culture/that-doctor-who-continuity-reference-explained-who-are-the-clockwork-robots/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The Clockwork Droids re-appeared in the 2014 episode "[[Deep Breath (Doctor Who)|Deep Breath]]". Another group of them crashed on Earth in the [[Victorian era]] and attempted to use human body parts to not only disguise themselves but also repair their ship, hiding their actions by disguising their murders as [[Spontaneous human combustion|spontaneous combustion]]. These Droids sought to reach the "[[Promised Land]]", and were led by a Droid dubbed "The Half-Faced Man". The newly regenerated Twelfth Doctor thwarts their scheme when the Half-Faced Man is killed.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Cooper |first=Steven |date=25 August 2014 |title=Doctor Who Recap: Season 8, Episode 1, "Deep Breath" |url=https://www.slantmagazine.com/tv/doctor-who-recap-season-8-episode-1-deep-breath/ |access-date=28 June 2025 |website=[[Slant Magazine]]-US|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190718003205/https://www.slantmagazine.com/tv/doctor-who-recap-season-8-episode-1-deep-breath/|archive-date=18 July 2019}}</ref>

Episode writer [[Steven Moffat]] was pitched the idea of Pompadour and a "clockwork man" by showrunner Russell T Davies during production of the revival's [[Doctor Who series 2|second series]]. The Droids were inspired by the [[Mechanical Turk]], and were used as a "scary" element to draw younger viewers into the story, as the sound of a ticking clock present with the Droids exploited a childhood fear not yet done on the programme before. They were originally planned to have shadowy faces, obscured by their wig, but due to complications involving camera angles, the Droids were given carnival masks to wear to cover their faces instead.{{Sfn|Ainsworth|2016p|pp=45–46}} The Droids' return in "Deep Breath" was done to provide a simple enemy for the episode, allowing the episode to focus on the Twelfth Doctor and [[Clara Oswald]]'s relationship.<ref name=":37">{{Cite book |last=Ainsworth |first=John |title=Doctor Who: The Complete History: Deep Breath – Into the Dalek |date=7 October 2015 |publisher=[[Hachette Partworks]], [[Panini Publishing]] |pages=30 |issn=2057-6048|year=2015e}}</ref>

The Clockwork Droids appear in spin-off media, with one Clockwork Droid appearing in the 2009 comic strip ''The Forgotten'', where it is created out of the Doctor's memories and used to attack him.<ref>{{Cite comic |date=20 August 2008 - 21 January 2009 |title=The Forgotten |story=The Forgotten |issue=1-6 |publisher=[[IDW Publishing]] |writer=Tony Lee |artist=Guerra, Pia, Martino, Stefano, Yates, Kelly}}</ref> The Droids also appear in the 2024 audio drama ''The Queen of Clocks''.<ref>{{Cite AV media |url= |title=The Queen of Clocks |date=14 March 2024 |last=Rayner |first=Jacqueline |author-link=Jacqueline Rayner |type=Audio drama |isbn=978-1-83868-917-9}}</ref>

=== Ood === {{Main|Ood}}

The Ood are a species that debuted in the 2006 two-part story "[[The Impossible Planet]]" and "[[The Satan Pit]]".<ref name=":7" /> In the show's universe, the Ood are a peaceful race that hail from a planet known as the Ood-Sphere. They have three brains: one in their head, a hindbrain they hold in their hands, and one large brain-like entity that connects the Ood psychically like a [[Group mind (science fiction)|hivemind]].<ref name=":7" /> The Ood were [[Slavery|enslaved]] as a slave race by the company Ood Operations, with propaganda created by the company telling those who purchased Ood that the Ood enjoyed their work, and that their status as slaves was how their species functioned.<ref name=":116">{{Cite book |last=Foss |first=Erica |title=Doctor Who and Race |date=2013 |publisher=Intellect Ltd |isbn=978-1783200368 |pages=109-122 |chapter=The Ood as a slave race: Colonial continuity in the Second Great and Bountiful Human Empire}}</ref> The Ood's hindbrains were cut off and replaced by an orb that translates what they say. The collective brain was sealed within a dampening field, which, combined with the hindbrain's disconnection, effectively [[Lobotomy|lobotomised]] the Ood. The Ood are mistreated by those who own them, with scanners in one story considering Ood akin to "[[livestock]]" and not considering them proper lifeforms.<ref name=":7" /> Though most accept the Ood's slavery as a fact of life, a group known as "Friends of the Ood" seeks to free the Ood from slavery, though they are not considered very influential as an organisation.<ref name=":116" /> The Ood are eventually freed from slavery during the events of the 2008 episode "[[Planet of the Ood]]".<ref name=":116" />

Originally, the Ood's role as servants was planned to be taken on by the Slitheen, but this was scrapped,<ref name=":7" /> with Davies electing to make a new alien species, the creation of which would cost the same as refurbishing the pre-existing Slitheen costumes. They were named "Ood" in order to give them a simple name.<ref name=":410">{{Cite book |last=Ainsworth |first=John |title=Doctor Who: The Complete History: The Impossible Planet - The Satan Pit - Love & Monsters - Fear Her - Army of Ghosts - Doomsday |date=30 November 2016 |publisher=Hachette Partworks, [[Panini Publishing]]. |pages=16 |issn=2057-6048|year=2016q}}</ref> Their popularity with both the production team and audiences resulted in a further return in the 2008 episode "Planet of the Ood", which explored more of the Ood's backstory and history in the show's universe.<ref name=":426">{{Cite book |last=Ainsworth |first=John |title=Doctor Who: The Complete History: Planet of the Ood – The Sontaran Stratagem – The Poison Sky – The Doctor's Daughter – The Unicorn and the Wasp |date=24 January 2018 |publisher=[[Hachette Partworks]], [[Panini Publishing]]. |pages=12 |issn=2057-6048|year=2018g}}</ref>

=== Weevil === {{See also|Everything Changes (Torchwood)|l1="Everything Changes" (''Torchwood'')|l2="Combat" (''Torchwood'')|3=Dead Man Walking (Torchwood)|l3="Dead Man Walking" (''Torchwood'')|4=Exit Wounds (Torchwood)|l4="Exit Wounds" (''Torchwood'')}}

Weevils are aggressive, bipedal aliens with [[piranha]]-like faces that appear in spin-off show ''[[Torchwood]]''.<ref name=":58">{{Cite web |last=Hedman |first=Joan O'Connell |date=19 November 2007 |title=Torchwood Recap: Season 1, Episode 11, “Combat” |url=https://www.slantmagazine.com/tv/torchwood-season-one-ep-11-combat/ |access-date=15 December 2025 |website=[[Slant Magazine]]-US |archive-date=7 February 2026 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260207060033/https://www.slantmagazine.com/tv/torchwood-season-one-ep-11-combat/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Weevils first appear in the episode "[[Everything Changes (Torchwood)|Everything Changes]]" (2006).<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hedman |first=Joan O'Connell |date=9 September 2007 |title=Torchwood Recap: Season 1, Episode 1, “Everything Changes” |url=https://www.slantmagazine.com/tv/torchwood-season-one-ep-1-everything-changes/ |access-date=15 December 2025 |website=[[Slant Magazine]]-US |archive-date=13 August 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250813161543/https://www.slantmagazine.com/tv/torchwood-season-one-ep-1-everything-changes/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Weevils then appear in "[[Combat (Torchwood)|Combat]]" (2007), where the titular team visit an underground Weevil smuggling ring, where Weevils are often abused and used by the wealthy elite to kill those they do not like. An underground Weevil fight club, where people can fight Weevils in one on one combat, is also shown, with the [[Torchwood Institute]] dismantling it.<ref name=":58" /> They appear briefly in the episodes "[[Reset (Torchwood)|Reset]]" (2008) where the titular team is shown chasing down Weevils in the episode's opener,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hedman |first=Joan O'Connell |date=4 March 2008 |title=Torchwood Recap: Season 2, Episode 6, “Reset” |url=https://www.slantmagazine.com/tv/torchwood-season-2-episode-6-reset/ |access-date=15 December 2025 |website=[[Slant Magazine]]-US|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260210121601/https://www.slantmagazine.com/tv/torchwood-season-2-episode-6-reset/|archive-date=10 February 2026}}</ref> "[[Dead Man Walking (Torchwood)|Dead Man Walking]]" (2008), where a group of them live in an abandoned church and are used to detect a mysterious artifact hidden in the church's walls,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hedman |first=Joan O'Connell |date=9 March 2008 |title=Torchwood Recap: Season 2, Episode 7, “Dead Man Walking” |url=https://www.slantmagazine.com/tv/torchwood-season-2-episode-7-dead-man-walking/ |access-date=15 December 2025 |website=[[Slant Magazine]]-US |archive-date=29 November 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211129094238/https://www.slantmagazine.com/tv/torchwood-season-2-episode-7-dead-man-walking/ |url-status=live }}</ref> and "[[Exit Wounds (Torchwood)|Exit Wounds]]" (2008), where a number of Weevils are released into Cardiff to wreak havoc.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hedman |first=Joan O'Connell |date=20 April 2008 |title=Torchwood Recap: Season 2, Episode 13, “Exit Wounds” |url=https://www.slantmagazine.com/tv/torchwood-season-2-ep-13-exit-wounds/ |access-date=15 December 2025 |website=[[Slant Magazine]]-US |archive-date=8 February 2026 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260208092258/https://www.slantmagazine.com/tv/torchwood-season-2-ep-13-exit-wounds/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Weevils cameo in the ''Doctor Who'' episode "[[The Pandorica Opens]]" (2010).<ref>{{Cite web |date=31 July 2017 |title='Doctor Who': 10 Things You May Not Know About 'The Pandorica Opens' |url=https://www.bbcamerica.com/blogs/doctor-who-10-things-you-may-not-know-about-the-pandorica-opens--1012289 |access-date=15 December 2025 |website=[[BBC America]] |archive-date=29 October 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211029124258/https://www.bbcamerica.com/blogs/doctor-who-10-things-you-may-not-know-about-the-pandorica-opens--1012289 |url-status=live }}</ref>

The original concept for Weevils was for them to resemble a "cross between a vicious dog and an ape." They were designed to have a mix of bestiality and intelligence, so that the Weevils looked truly lifelike despite their costumes being performed using different masks. The first mask is an animatronic head, which can make detailed facial expressions and is used primarily for close-up shots of Weevils, while the other main head used has a wire system that lets the actor open the Weevil's jaw so it can snarl.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Hugo |first=Simon |date=19 June 2008 |title=Root of All Weevils |magazine=[[Torchwood Magazine]] |publisher=[[Titan Comics]] |page=48-51 |issue=6}}</ref>

=== Bane === The Bane are a cyclopic, tentacled race that appear in spin-off television series ''[[The Sarah Jane Adventures]]''. The Bane first appear in 2007's "[[Invasion of the bane|Invasion of The Bane]]". The Bane are led by the Bane Mother, a massive creature who serves as a [[Matriarchy|matriarchal]] figure to all Bane. A Bane who takes on a human form known as Mrs. Wormwood heads up a company called "Bubble Shock", which attempts to put a mind-controlling agent in their titular soda so humanity will serve the Bane. Bubble Shock is popular with all but 2% of the world, leading to them creating a cloned human known as "The Archetype" to determine how they can alter Bubble Shock so it will affect all of humanity. The Bane are defeated by [[Sarah Jane Smith]], and the Archetype, named [[Luke Smith (The Sarah Jane Adventures)|Luke Smith]], is adopted by her as a son. Wormwood later returns in 2008's ''[[Enemy of the Bane]]'', where she is now a fugitive of the Bane. Wormwood attempts to obtain a device known as the Tunguska Scroll to rule the universe, hoping to also recruit Luke to her side and have him rule alongside her, though her plans are thwarted.{{Sfn|Frankel|2018|pp=134–136}} Big Finish audio drama series ''Rani Takes on the World'' features Wormwood and the Bane in several audio dramas set after the events of ''Enemy of the Bane''.<ref>{{Cite web |title=2. Rani Takes on the World: The Revenge of Wormwood - The Worlds of Doctor Who - Special Releases - Big Finish |url=https://www.bigfinish.com/releases/v/rani-takes-on-the-world-the-revenge-of-wormwood-2728 |access-date=15 December 2025 |website=[[Big Finish Productions]] |archive-date=16 December 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251216095056/https://bigfinish.com/releases/v/rani-takes-on-the-world-the-revenge-of-wormwood-2728 |url-status=live }}</ref>

=== Judoon === {{Main|Smith and Jones (Doctor Who)|l1 = "Smith and Jones" (''Doctor Who'')|Fugitive of the Judoon|l2 = "Fugitive of the Judoon"}}

[[File:Rhinoceros in South Africa adjusted.jpg|alt=Two huge, gray creatures eating grass. They have two large horns on their head.|thumb|The Judoon physically resemble [[Rhinoceros|rhinoceroses]] (pictured)]] The Judoon are a galactic alien police force resembling [[rhinoceros]]es who recur throughout the series.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=Mulkern |first=Patrick |date=26 January 2020 |title=Doctor Who Fugitive of the Judoon review recap - s12 episode 5 review |url=https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/sci-fi/doctor-who-fugitive-of-the-judoon-review/ |access-date=25 June 2025 |website=[[Radio Times]]-GB |archive-date=30 April 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250430172759/https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/sci-fi/doctor-who-fugitive-of-the-judoon-review/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The Judoon are blunt in their applications of laws, with the Tenth Doctor describing the Judoon as "interplanetary thugs" due to their methods. The Judoon use energy weapons to incarcerate prisoners, and can breathe for some time in space due to their powerful lungs.<ref name=":2" /> They first appear in "[[Smith and Jones (Doctor Who)|Smith and Jones]]" (2007), where they seek to capture an alien fugitive by transporting an Earth hospital onto the [[Moon]].<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |last=Cremona |first=Patrick |date=26 January 2020 |title=Who are the Judoon? When did they last appear in Doctor Who? |url=https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/sci-fi/who-the-judoon-doctor-who/ |access-date=25 June 2024 |website=[[Radio Times]]-GB |archive-date=25 June 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240625202557/https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/sci-fi/who-the-judoon-doctor-who/ |url-status=live }}</ref> They later re-appear in "[[The Stolen Earth]]" (2008) where they aid the Shadow Proclamation, an inter-galactic body of law,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Britt |first=Ryan |date=26 January 2020 |title=WHAT?! Doctor Who brings back a beloved companion and teases a secret Time Lord |url=https://www.syfy.com/syfy-wire/doctor-who-brings-back-a-beloved-companion-and-teases-a-secret-time-lord |access-date=25 June 2024 |website=[[SYFY]]-US |archive-date=25 June 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240625204100/https://www.syfy.com/syfy-wire/doctor-who-brings-back-a-beloved-companion-and-teases-a-secret-time-lord |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name=":43">{{Cite book |last1=Harmes|first1=Marcus K.|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=DYIUEAAAQBAJ&dq=%22Church%22+++%22Doctor+Who%22+++%22The+Time+of+the+Doctor%22+-wikipedia&pg=PA134|title=Doctor Who and Science: Essays on Ideas, Identities and Ideologies in the Series|last2=Orthia|first2=Lindy A.|date=29 January 2021|publisher=[[McFarland & Company|McFarland]]|isbn=978-1-4766-8112-2|pages=134–135}}</ref> and later make cameo appearances in other episodes of the series.<ref name=":2" /> They also appear in ''The'' ''Sarah Jane Adventures'' story ''[[Prisoner of the Judoon]]'' (2009).<ref>{{Cite book |last=Williams |first=Rebecca |url=https://www.google.com/books/edition/Torchwood_Declassified/MBGMDwAAQBAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=%22Prisoner+of+the+Judoon%22+-wikipedia&pg=PA23&printsec=frontcover |title=Torchwood Declassified: Investigating Mainstream Cult Television |date=17 September 2013 |publisher=[[Bloomsbury Publishing]] |isbn=978-0-85772-292-8|pages=23}}</ref> The Judoon re-appear in the 2020 episode "[[Fugitive of the Judoon]]," where they attempt to find and arrest the [[Fugitive Doctor]], who is hiding out in [[Gloucester]],<ref name=":1" /> and re-appear in 2020 episode "[[The Timeless Children]]", where a group of them appear and imprison the [[Thirteenth Doctor]] at the end of the episode.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Coggan |first=Devan |date=1 March 2020 |title='Doctor Who' season finale recap: The Timeless Child, revealed |url=https://ew.com/tv/recaps/doctor-who-season-12-episode-10/ |access-date=16 September 2025 |website=[[Entertainment Weekly]] |archive-date=9 March 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200309041431/https://ew.com/tv/recaps/doctor-who-season-12-episode-10/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

The Judoon's heads were portrayed physically via an animatronic mask, though to keep production costs down, only one had their helmet off, with all other Judoon keeping their helmets on.<ref name=":68">{{Cite book |last=Ainsworth |first=John |title=Doctor Who: The Complete History: The Runaway Bride – Smith and Jones – The Shakespeare Code |date=15 November 2017 |publisher=[[Hachette Partworks]], [[Panini Publishing]]. |pages=57, 64 |issn=2057-6048|year=2017i}}</ref> Though portrayed by numerous actors, [[Nicholas Briggs]] provides the voice for the Judoon.<ref name=":7" /> The Judoon were originally planned to appear in the 2007 episode "[[Voyage of the Damned (Doctor Who)|Voyage of the Damned]]", where the Judoon would have appeared at the end of the episode. Another scrapped appearance was in 2008 episode "[[Journey's End (Doctor Who)|Journey's End]]", where Donna Noble and a copy of the Tenth Doctor would have returned to the Shadow Proclamation to gather Judoon ships to attack the Daleks.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Cook |first=Benjamin |author-link=Benjamin Cook (journalist) |url=https://www.google.com/books/edition/Doctor_Who_The_Writer_s_Tale_The_Final_C/jpJr1q1LxUMC?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=%22Judoon%22+++%22Doctor+Who%22+-wikipedia&pg=PA286&printsec=frontcover |title=Doctor Who: The Writer's Tale: The Final Chapter |last2=Davies |first2=Russell T. |author-link2=Russell T Davies |date=31 March 2013 |publisher=[[Random House]] |isbn=978-1-4481-4137-1 |pages=134, 312}}</ref>

The Judoon have appeared across numerous pieces of spin-off media for the series, including in books, comics, audio dramas, and video games.<ref name=":68" />

=== Weeping Angel === {{Main|Weeping Angel}}

The [[Weeping Angel|Weeping Angels]] are a race of aliens that feed off temporal energy. They obtain this energy by touching their victims and sending them back in time, feeding on the energy caused by the resultant time travel. The Angels resemble statues due to being "quantum-locked", which means they can only move when unobserved, and turn to stone when observed.<ref name=":110">{{Cite book |last=Lukancic |first=Khara |title=Gender and Contemporary Horror in Television |date=13 March 2019 |publisher=[[Emerald Group Publishing]] |isbn=978-1-78769-105-6 |editor-last1=Gerrard |editor-first1=Steven |chapter=Weeping Angels: Doctor Who's (De)Monstrous Feminine |editor-last2=Holland |editor-first2=Samantha |editor-last3=Shail |editor-first3=Robert |chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=QGeLDwAAQBAJ&pg=PT62}}</ref> They first appear in 2007's "[[Blink (Doctor Who)|Blink]]", where they are shown attempting to capture the Doctor's TARDIS and harness its time energy. They are defeated by the characters Sally Sparrow and Larry Nightingale, who, when retrieving the TARDIS for the Doctor, accidentally trick them into staring at each other, trapping them forever.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Wood |first1=Tat |title=About Time, volume 8: 2007 |date=2017 |publisher=[[Mad Norwegian Press]] |isbn=978-1935234166 |pages=204–206 |chapter=X3.10: Blink}}</ref> The Angels subsequently re-appear in several other episodes in the series.<ref name=":110" /> They also briefly appear at the end of spin-off series [[Class (2016 TV series)|''Class'']], and were planned to appear as the main antagonists of its second series before being cancelled.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Fullerton |first=Huw |date=21 October 2021 |title=Weeping Angels storylines revealed for Class season 2 |url=https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/sci-fi/class-doctor-who-weeping-angels-newsupdate/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241227124105/https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/sci-fi/class-doctor-who-weeping-angels-newsupdate/ |archive-date=27 December 2024 |access-date=2 January 2025 |website=[[Radio Times]]-GB}}</ref>

The Weeping Angels were created by writer [[Steven Moffat]]. Moffat gained the inspiration for the Angels while on a holiday in [[Dorset]]. While exploring, he entered a graveyard marked as being unsafe and found a statue of an angel weeping. He returned years later with his son, but could not find the angel, nor any evidence that it had been there before. Though Moffat attempted further research into the statue in the years after the Weeping Angels appeared on-screen, their popularity made this much more difficult.<ref name="RT">{{Cite web |last=Diver |first=Tony |title=How did Steven Moffat come up with the weeping angels? |url=https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/sci-fi/steven-moffat-reveals-how-he-came-up-with-the-weeping-angels/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241226230156/https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/sci-fi/steven-moffat-reveals-how-he-came-up-with-the-weeping-angels/ |archive-date=26 December 2024 |access-date=26 December 2024 |website=[[Radio Times]]-GB}}</ref> Moffat was inspired by other sources, such as [[Heisenberg's Uncertainty Principle]], which states that observation can affect the results of an experiment, as well as the concept of children covering their eyes when seeing something scary.<ref name=":42">{{Cite web |last=Tantimedh |first=Adi |date=20 April 2024 |title=Doctor Who: Examining The Beauty & The Horror of The Weeping Angels |url=https://bleedingcool.com/tv/doctor-who-examining-the-beauty-the-horror-of-the-weeping-angels/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241226230140/https://bleedingcool.com/tv/doctor-who-examining-the-beauty-the-horror-of-the-weeping-angels/ |archive-date=26 December 2024 |access-date=26 December 2024 |website=[[Bleeding Cool]]}}</ref>

=== The Trickster === {{See also|Whatever Happened to Sarah Jane?|The Wedding of Sarah Jane Smith|label 1=''Whatever Happened to Sarah Jane?''|label 2=''The Wedding of Sarah Jane Smith''}}

The Trickster is an entity who appears in the spin-off series ''The Sarah Jane Adventures'',{{Sfn|Kistler|2013|p=250}} serving as its main antagonist.<ref name=":71">{{Cite web |last=Griffin |first=Louise |last2=Morgan |first2=Jeffery |date=17 June 2024 |title=Who is the Trickster in Doctor Who? |url=https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/sci-fi/doctor-who-pantheon-gods-trickster-explained/ |access-date=17 December 2025 |website=[[Radio Times]]-GB|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240618015927/https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/sci-fi/doctor-who-pantheon-gods-trickster-explained/|archive-date=18 June 2024}}</ref> The Trickster is a god-like being and a member of the Pantheon of Discord (see below). He attempts to make bargains that change history, with the Trickster feeding on the resultant chaos of the change.<ref name=":71" /> The Trickster appears in the 2007 serial ''[[Whatever Happened to Sarah Jane?]]'', which sees the Trickster make a bargain with a childhood friend of Sarah Jane's who died in the past; this bargain sees Sarah Jane die in her place. The Trickster is eventually thwarted due to memories of Sarah Jane persisting, as well as Sarah Jane's friend reneging on the deal.<ref name=":73">{{Cite book |last=Leitch |first=Gillian I. |url=https://www.google.com/books/edition/Doctor_Who_in_Time_and_Space/pHugbjdJWwwC?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=%22Whatever+Happened+to+Sarah+Jane?%22+-wikipedia&pg=PA246&printsec=frontcover |title=Doctor Who in Time and Space: Essays on Themes, Characters, History and Fandom, 1963-2012 |last2=Palumbo |first2=Donald E. |last3=III |first3=C. W. Sullivan |date=20 March 2013 |publisher=[[McFarland Publishing]] |isbn=978-0-7864-6549-1 |pages=246-247}}</ref> He later re-appears in 2008's ''[[The Temptation of Sarah Jane Smith]]'', where he sends Sarah Jane back in time to seek the truth of why her parents abandoned her when she was young; however, this is a plan by the Trickster to defeat Sarah Jane. Her parents end up sacrificing themselves in order to stop the Trickster's plan.<ref name=":73" /> The Trickster appears in the 2009 serial ''[[The Wedding of Sarah Jane Smith]]'', where he attempts to force Sarah Jane Smith to marry a man in order to accomplish one of his schemes,{{Sfn|Jowett|2017|p=35}} though his plan is thwarted when the man turns against the Trickster.<ref name=":71" />

Servants of the Trickster appear in both ''Doctor Who'' and ''Torchwood'' as antagonists.{{Sfn|Kistler|2013|p=250}} One of these is the Time Beetle, a creature that appears in the 2008 ''Doctor Who'' episode "[[Turn Left]]". The Beetle can cling onto the backs of people, allowing the Beetle to alter their past and change history.<ref name=":40">{{Cite web |last=Morales |first=Carlos |date=12 April 2025 |title=The 20 Best Doctor Who Monsters of the Modern Era |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/best-doctor-who-monsters |access-date=20 January 2026 |website=[[IGN]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250412125318/https://www.ign.com/articles/best-doctor-who-monsters|archive-date=12 April 2025}}</ref>

==== The Pantheon ==== {{See also|Doctor Who series 14|Doctor Who series 15|label 1=''Doctor Who'' series 14|label 2=''Doctor Who'' series 15}}

The Pantheon of Discord,<ref name=":59">{{Cite web |last=Poisuo |first=Pauli |date=24 May 2025 |title=Doctor Who's Surprise Time Lord Is A Deep Cut Easter Egg That Hardcore Fans May Remember |url=https://www.slashfilm.com/1866712/doctor-who-surprise-time-lord-easter-egg-omega/ |access-date=17 December 2025 |website=[[SlashFilm]]-US |archive-date=10 February 2026 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260210103320/https://www.slashfilm.com/1866712/doctor-who-surprise-time-lord-easter-egg-omega/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Gooden |first=Tai |date=19 April 2025 |title=DOCTOR WHO Introduces Another Frightening God From the Pantheon of Discord |url=https://nerdist.com/article/doctor-who-god-pantheon-of-discord-lux-imperator-mr-ring-a-ding/ |access-date=17 December 2025 |website=[[Nerdist]]-US |archive-date=7 February 2026 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260207075630/https://nerdist.com/article/doctor-who-god-pantheon-of-discord-lux-imperator-mr-ring-a-ding/ |url-status=live }}</ref> also referred to as the Pantheon of Gods<ref name=":60">{{Cite web |last=Griffin |first=Louise |date=19 April 2025 |title=What is the Pantheon in Doctor Who? All of the gods explained |url=https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/sci-fi/doctor-who-pantheon-gods-explained/ |access-date=17 December 2025 |website=[[Radio Times]]-GB |archive-date=21 May 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250521071419/https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/sci-fi/doctor-who-pantheon-gods-explained/ |url-status=live }}</ref> and the Gods of Chaos,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Jeffery |first=Morgan |date=11 May 2024 |title=Doctor Who boss teases “supreme being” of villainous Gods of Chaos |url=https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/sci-fi/doctor-who-gods-of-chaos-supreme-being-newsupdate/ |access-date=17 December 2025 |website=[[Radio Times]]-GB |archive-date=9 February 2026 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260209071534/https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/sci-fi/doctor-who-gods-of-chaos-supreme-being-newsupdate/ |url-status=live }}</ref> are a group of transcendental, god-like beings. Their main goal is to cause chaos and alter reality.<ref name=":60" /> The Pantheon of Discord was first mentioned in the 2009 ''The Sarah Jane Adventures'' serial ''The Wedding of Sarah Jane Smith'', where they are associated with the Trickster,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Mellor |first=Louisa |date=13 May 2024 |title=Doctor Who Introduced New Villains The Pantheon Years Ago |url=https://www.denofgeek.com/tv/doctor-who-new-villains-the-pantheon/ |access-date=17 December 2025 |website=[[Den of Geek]]-US |archive-date=10 February 2026 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260210080530/https://www.denofgeek.com/tv/doctor-who-new-villains-the-pantheon/ |url-status=live }}</ref> though the Pantheon primarily serve as recurring enemies of the [[Fifteenth Doctor]]. Several of their members are antagonists who have fought the Doctor in past incarnations.<ref name=":59" /><ref name=":60" /> Members of the Pantheon include the Toymaker,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Griffin |first=Louise |date=9 December 2023 |title=Who is The Toymaker in Doctor Who? Neil Patrick Harris villain explained |url=https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/sci-fi/doctor-who-toymaker-neil-patrick-harris-explained/ |access-date=17 December 2025 |website=[[Radio Times]]-GB |archive-date=7 June 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240607153800/https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/sci-fi/doctor-who-toymaker-neil-patrick-harris-explained/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Sutekh,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Jeffery |first=Morgan |date=26 June 2024 |title=Doctor Who - Empire of Death ending explained: How was Sutekh defeated? |url=https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/sci-fi/doctor-who-empire-of-death-ending-explained/ |access-date=17 December 2025 |website=[[Radio Times]]-GB |archive-date=18 November 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251118021806/https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/sci-fi/doctor-who-empire-of-death-ending-explained/ |url-status=live }}</ref> the Mara,<ref name=":015" /><ref name=":60" /> Maestro,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Gooden |first=Tai |date=10 May 2024 |title=Who Is Jinkx Monsoon's Maestro in DOCTOR WHO? The Musical Villain, Explained |url=https://nerdist.com/article/jinkx-monsoon-doctor-who-character-maestro-is-musical-villain-child-of-the-toymaker/ |access-date=17 December 2025 |website=[[Nerdist]]-US |archive-date=15 February 2026 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260215191732/https://nerdist.com/article/jinkx-monsoon-doctor-who-character-maestro-is-musical-villain-child-of-the-toymaker/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Lux, a being who can control light that takes the form of cartoon character [[Mr. Ring-a-Ding]] who first appears in 2025's "[[Lux (Doctor Who)|Lux]]";<ref>{{Cite web |last=Griffin |first=Louise |date=19 April 2025 |title=Doctor Who – Lux ending explained: How did the Doctor defeat Mr Ring-a-Ding? |url=https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/sci-fi/doctor-who-lux-ending-explained/ |access-date=17 December 2025 |website=[[Radio Times]]-GB |archive-date=19 April 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250419095740/https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/sci-fi/doctor-who-lux-ending-explained/ |url-status=live }}</ref> and Desiderium, a baby who can grant wishes that first appears in 2025's "[[Wish World]]".<ref name=":59" /> === Vashta Nerada === {{See also|Silence in the Library|l1="Silence in the Library"|Forest of the Dead|l2="Forest of the Dead"}}Vashta Nerada are small creatures that are referred to as "the shadows that melt the flesh". Present on most planets, they can be seen as dust particles in sunbeams. When hungry, they will latch onto a victim, keep them fresh, and then devour them, with the Vashta Nerada's presence being indicated by the appearance of a second shadow on the victim.<ref name=":7" /> They are described as the "[[piranha]]s of the air", able to strip their victims to the bone in an instant in high enough densities. They are able to control and manipulate the victims they consume.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ruediger |first=Ross |date=23 June 2008 |title=Doctor Who Recap: Season 4, Episode 8, "Silence in the Library" |url=https://www.slantmagazine.com/tv/doctor-who-season-4-ep-8-silence-in-the-library/ |access-date=13 August 2025 |website=[[Slant Magazine]]-US |archive-date=9 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240509054748/https://www.slantmagazine.com/tv/doctor-who-season-4-ep-8-silence-in-the-library/ |url-status=live }}</ref> They first appear in two-part story "[[Silence in the Library]]" (2008) and "[[Forest of the Dead]]" (2008), where they appear on a planet-sized library. The library's books were constructed out of paper from the forests they hailed from, resulting in the Vashta Nerada swarming the library. This caused the library's computer to turn all of the visitors into data in order to save them from the swarms. The Tenth Doctor was able to make a truce with the Vashta Nerada, allowing the people to go in exchange for leaving the planet to the Vashta Nerada once they were gone.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Wood |first1=Tat |title=About Time, volume 9: 2008-2009 |last2=Ail |first2=Dorothy |date=2019 |publisher=[[Mad Norwegian Press]] |isbn=978-1-935234-20-3 |page=142 |chapter=X4.8: Silence in the Library}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Ruediger |first=Ross |date=29 June 2008 |title=Doctor Who Recap: Season 4, Episode 9, "Forest of the Dead" |url=https://www.slantmagazine.com/tv/doctor-who-season-4-ep-9-forest-of-the-dead/ |access-date=13 August 2025 |website=[[Slant Magazine]]-US |archive-date=7 February 2026 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260207203455/https://www.slantmagazine.com/tv/doctor-who-season-4-ep-9-forest-of-the-dead/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The Vashta Nerada were created by writer [[Steven Moffat]], who wanted to create a monster out of the [[fear of the dark]]. Moffat was inspired by the idea of seeing shadows in the dark and believing it to be something moving.{{Sfn|Ainsworth|2017j|p=17}}

The Vashta Nerada appear in the 2017 audio drama ''Night of the Vashta Nerada'', which sees the [[Fourth Doctor]] visiting a theme park that has unleashed the local Vashta Nerada after the planet's forests were torn down to allow the park to be constructed.<ref>{{Cite AV media |url= |title=Night of the Vashta Nerada |date=27 July 2017 |last=Dorney |first=John |type=Audio drama |isbn=978-1-78575-428-9|publisher=[[Big Finish Productions]]}}</ref> Subsequent 2017 drama ''Day of the Vashta Nerada'' pits the Eighth Doctor against genetically-altered Vashta Nerada that have been created as a new weapon in the Time War.<ref>{{Cite AV media |url= |title=Day of the Vashta Nerada |date=27 July 2017 |last=Fitton |first=Matt |type=Audio drama |isbn=978-1-78575-428-9|publisher=[[Big Finish Productions]]}}</ref> They also appear in the 2023 audio drama series ''Shades of Fear'', where they face off against the Ninth Doctor,<ref>{{Cite web |date=10 February 2023 |title=The Ninth Doctor faces the Vashta Nerada, the Third Doctor reunites with Jo and more on audio… |url=https://www.doctorwho.tv/news-and-features/the-ninth-doctor-faces-the-vashta-nerada-the-third-doctor-reunites-with-jo-and |website=Doctor Who.TV |access-date=22 January 2026 |archive-date=16 January 2026 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260116035234/https://www.doctorwho.tv/news-and-features/the-ninth-doctor-faces-the-vashta-nerada-the-third-doctor-reunites-with-jo-and |url-status=live }}</ref> and combine with a creature named the Vermine to create an entity called the Red Darkness, before being defeated.<ref name=":10" /> The 2-23 audio drama ''Operation Dusk'' depicts a group of Vashta Nerada attacking during the [[London Blitz]].<ref>{{Cite AV media |url= |title=Operation Dusk |date=27 June 2023 |last=Shaw |first=Alfie |type=Audio drama |isbn=978-1-83868-893-6|publisher=[[Big Finish Productions]]}}</ref> The Vashta Nerada appear in the 2010 video game ''[[Doctor Who: The Adventure Games]]'' in the fourth episode'','' "Shadows of the Vashta Nerada", which takes place in an underwater base overrun by Vashta Nerada.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Pitcher |first=Jenna |date=24 March 2014 |title=Doctor Who: The Adventure Games now available on Steam |url=https://www.polygon.com/2014/3/24/5541398/doctor-who-the-adventure-games-now-available-on-steam/ |access-date=13 August 2025 |website=[[Polygon (website)|Polygon]] |archive-date=15 August 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250815231638/https://www.polygon.com/2014/3/24/5541398/doctor-who-the-adventure-games-now-available-on-steam/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=3 December 2010 |title=Final part of 'Doctor Who: The Adventure Games' to be Christmas present |url=https://www.the-independent.com/tech/final-part-of-doctor-who-the-adventure-games-to-be-christmas-present-2150616.html |website=[[The Independent]] |access-date=22 January 2026 |archive-date=10 February 2026 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260210203640/https://www.the-independent.com/tech/final-part-of-doctor-who-the-adventure-games-to-be-christmas-present-2150616.html |url-status=live }}</ref> They also appear in the 2013 comic ''Space Oddity,'' where they attempt to devour the crew of [[Alexei Leonov]]'s first [[spacewalk]].<ref>{{Cite comic |date=27 March - 17 April 2013 |title=Doctor Who |story=Space Oddity |issue=7-8 |publisher=[[IDW Publishing]] |writer=Hale Fialkov, Joshua |artist=Ponce, Andres; Domingues, Horacio; González, Rubén}}</ref>

=== Midnight Entity === {{Main|Midnight Entity}}

The Midnight Entity is the projected name<ref name=":262">{{Cite news |last=Lewis |first=Isobel |date=26 April 2025 |title=What to Know About the Return of 'Midnight' in 'Doctor Who' |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2025/04/26/arts/television/doctor-who-the-well-midnight.html |access-date=28 April 2025 |work=[[The New York Times]]-US |issn=0362-4331|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250426085240/https://www.nytimes.com/2025/04/26/arts/television/doctor-who-the-well-midnight.html|archive-date=26 April 2025}}</ref> given to a mysterious being encountered by the Doctor in the episode "[[Midnight (Doctor Who)|Midnight]]" (2008). Apparently inhabiting the planet Midnight, the natural appearance of this organism is not directly known, only being referred to as a shadow. The creature was capable of possessing humans. First unable to move, it repeats what other people say, then begins saying what they are saying at the same time, then is capable of moving and taking over other people. It is seemingly killed when a stewardess throws the person it has possessed, Sky Silvestry, onto the planet's surface, resulting in both of them being disintegrated by the planet's natural radiation.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Wood |first1=Tat |title=About Time, volume 9: 2008-2009 |last2=Ail |first2=Dorothy |date=2019 |publisher=[[Mad Norwegian Press]] |isbn=978-1-935234-20-3 |page=172 |chapter=X4.10: Midnight}}</ref> The Entity re-appears in "[[The Well (Doctor Who)|The Well]]" (2025). Set on the planet Midnight hundreds of thousands of years after the events of its first appearance, the Entity apparently escaped from the titular well, which exists in a mining colony. The entire crew died to the Entity's games, leaving only Aliss, the crew's deaf cook, alive. The Entity attached to her, hiding behind her. When a team arrived to investigate what happened on the colony, the Entity killed anyone who walked directly behind Aliss, not wanting to be seen. After a stand-off, the Entity apparently grabs onto the Doctor's companion [[Belinda Chandra]]. Shaya, the group's leader, apparently forces the Entity onto her back and jumps back into the Well, seemingly defeating it. Despite this, the episode's ending implies the creature latched onto another soldier, allowing it to escape the planet.<ref name=":262" /><ref>{{Cite web |last=Bui |first=Hoai-Tran |date=26 April 2025 |title=17 Years Later, The Oldest Sci-Fi Show Just Brought Back Its Most Terrifying Monster |url=https://www.inverse.com/entertainment/doctor-who-midnight-entity-monster-return-the-well |access-date=28 April 2025 |website=[[Inverse (website)|Inverse]] |archive-date=26 April 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250426114110/https://www.inverse.com/entertainment/doctor-who-midnight-entity-monster-return-the-well |url-status=live }}</ref>

Showrunner Russell T Davies had the idea of the Entity in his head for quite a while prior to its usage in "Midnight". The idea for the entity's usage of mimicry hailed from a conversation between Davies and producer [[Phil Collinson]], in which the two accidentally kept repeating each other's words. Davies realised it could be used in a mocking manner, inspiring the usage in the final episode. The concept of communication as a major theme with the Entity was also inspired by the ''[[Star Trek: The Next Generation]]'' episode "[[Darmok]]", with Davies being inspired by the concept of communicating with a creature who spoke an incomprehensible language to such an extent that he avoided watching the episode to allow himself to develop the idea independently of it.{{Sfn|Ainsworth|2017j|pp=61–62}} "The Well" was originally intended to feature the [[Orisha|Orishas]], Nigerian spirits, as the primary antagonists instead of the Midnight Entity, but it was later converted into a sequel to "Midnight" after the writers felt the script was not treating the Orishas with an appropriate level of cultural respect. Davies felt like the actions in the script aligned with the behaviours of the Midnight Entity in its original appearance, so decided to rework the episode as a direct sequel.<ref name="Episode BTS">{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H0f7AePd3W4 |title=Behind the Scenes of The Well's Shocking Twist {{!}} Doctor Who |date=26 April 2025 |type=Behind the scenes featurette |access-date=26 April 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250426194505/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H0f7AePd3W4 |archive-date=26 April 2025 |url-status=live |via=[[YouTube]]}}</ref>

=== Silent === {{Main|Silent (Doctor Who)|l1 = Silent (''Doctor Who'')}}

{{See also|Church of the Papal Mainframe}}The Silents are an alien race that were genetically engineered by the religious organisation known as [[The Church of the Papal Mainframe]].<ref name=":03">{{Cite journal |last=Crome|first=Andrew|date=2018|title=Plugging Into the Papal Mainframe: The Political Role of the Church in Steven Moffat's Doctor Who. Journal of Popular Television|journal=Journal of Popular Television|volume=6|issue=2|pages=213–226|doi=10.1386/jptv.6.2.213_1|issn=2046-9861}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Wilkins |first=Alasdair |date=26 December 2013 |title=Doctor Who: "The Time Of The Doctor" |url=https://www.avclub.com/doctor-who-the-time-of-the-doctor-1798179065 |access-date=4 September 2025 |website=[[A.V. Club]]-US|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170918172313/https://www.avclub.com/doctor-who-the-time-of-the-doctor-1798179065|archive-date=18 September 2017}}</ref> The Silents are also sometimes referred to as the Silence, the same name as the organisation a group of Silents are associated with.<ref name=":115">{{Cite web |last=Mulkern |first=Patrick |date=21 October 2013 |title=Doctor Who: The Impossible Astronaut / Day of the Moon ★★★★★ |url=https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/sci-fi/doctor-who-guide/the-impossible-astronautday-of-the-moon/ |access-date=31 May 2025 |website=[[Radio Times]]-GB|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210506110657/https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/sci-fi/doctor-who-guide/the-impossible-astronautday-of-the-moon/|archive-date=6 May 2021}}</ref><ref name=":316">{{Cite book |last1=Lewis |first1=Courtland |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=9giuCgAAQBAJ&dq=%22Church+of+the+Papal+Mainframe%22+++%22Doctor+Who%22+-wikipedia&pg=PA83 |title=More Doctor Who and Philosophy: Regeneration Time |last2=Smithka |first2=Paula |date=15 October 2015 |publisher=[[Open Court]] |isbn=978-0-8126-9909-8 |pages=83-86}}</ref> The Silents first appear in the 2011 episode "[[The Impossible Astronaut]]",{{Sfn|Crome|McGrath|2013|p=154}} though they are mentioned repeatedly beforehand during the revival's [[Doctor Who series 5|fifth series]].{{Sfn|Sleight|2012|pp=195–198}} Silents are depicted as tall humanoids with bulbous heads and mouthless, bony faces.<ref name=":53">{{cite news |date=24 April 2011 |title=Doctor Who opener watched by 6.5m |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-13180650 |access-date=24 April 2011 |journal=[[BBC]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110425041603/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-13180650|archive-date=25 April 2011}}</ref> Silents can be perceived only while being viewed, and they are instantly forgotten once someone who views them looks away.{{Sfn|Sleight|2012|pp=195–198}}

Silents, acting alongside the Silence, aim to kill the Doctor, which they repeatedly attempt to achieve throughout the revival's [[Doctor Who series 6|sixth series.]]{{Sfn|Sleight|2012|pp=195–198}} They kidnap character [[River Song (Doctor Who)|River Song]] as an infant, grooming her as an assassin to kill the Doctor.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Mulkern |first=Patrick |date=21 October 2013 |title=Doctor Who: The Wedding of River Song ★★★★ |url=https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/sci-fi/doctor-who-guide/the-wedding-of-river-song/ |access-date=25 July 2025 |website=[[Radio Times]]-GB|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210412070235/https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/sci-fi/doctor-who-guide/the-wedding-of-river-song/|archive-date=12 April 2021}}</ref> Though River attempts to kill the Doctor in the 2011 episode "[[Let's Kill Hitler]]", she changes her mind.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Phipps |first=Keith |date=28 August 2011 |title=Doctor Who: “Let’s Kill Hitler” |url=https://www.avclub.com/doctor-who-let-s-kill-hitler-1798169397 |access-date=25 July 2025 |website=[[A.V. Club]]-US|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181121022140/https://www.avclub.com/doctor-who-let-s-kill-hitler-1798169397|archive-date=21 November 2018}}</ref> The Silence later capture her and imprison her in an astronaut suit during the events of "[[Closing Time (Doctor Who)|Closing Time]]" (2011),<ref>{{Cite web |last=K McEwan |first=Cameron |date=5 November 2018 |title=River Song's ridiculously complex timeline explained |url=https://www.digitalspy.com/tv/a855886/doctor-who-timeline-river-song-chronology-episodes-alex-kingston/ |access-date=25 July 2025 |website=[[Digital Spy]]-GB}}</ref> and in the subsequent episode, "[[The Wedding of River Song]]" (2011), she seemingly succeeds in shooting and killing the Doctor. It is revealed that the Doctor faked his death, however, allowing him to escape the Silence, who stopped hunting him as they assumed he had died.<ref>{{Cite news |last=McLaughlin |first=Helene |date=8 October 2011 |title=Doctor Who: The Wedding of River Song - A Finale Recap |url=https://www.wired.com/2011/10/doctor-who-the-wedding-of-river-song-a-finale-recap/ |access-date=25 July 2025 |work=[[Wired (magazine)|Wired]]-US |issn=1059-1028|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190821073450/https://www.digitalspy.com/tv/a855886/doctor-who-timeline-river-song-chronology-episodes-alex-kingston/|archive-date=21 August 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Cooper |first=Steven |date=5 October 2011 |title=Doctor Who Recap: Season 6, Episode 13, “The Wedding of River Song” |url=https://www.slantmagazine.com/tv/doctor-who-season-6-episode-13-the-wedding-of-river-song/ |access-date=25 July 2025 |website=[[Slant Magazine]]-US|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241007220903/https://www.slantmagazine.com/tv/doctor-who-season-6-episode-13-the-wedding-of-river-song/|archive-date=7 October 2024}}</ref>

Writer [[Steven Moffat]] created the Silents.<ref>{{cite news |last=Fuller |first=Gavin |date=23 April 2011 |title=Doctor Who, episode 1: The Impossible Astronaut, review |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/tvandradio/8465668/Doctor-Who-episode-1-The-Impossible-Astronaut-review.html |access-date=27 April 2011 |journal=[[Sunday Telegraph]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110425153819/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/tvandradio/8465668/Doctor-Who-episode-1-The-Impossible-Astronaut-review.html|archive-date=25 April 2011}}</ref> Neill Gorton, a creature designer at studio Millenium FX, was involved with the Silents' design. The Silents were described as "looming" over characters in the script of their first appearance, with Gorton thus making them to be very tall. The Silents' very first mock-up design was quickly accepted by the show's producers, which Gorton attributed to be due to the script's detail allowing everyone to have a similar mental image.<ref name="brilliant book2">{{cite book |last=Hickman |first=Clayton |title=The Brilliant Book 2012 |publisher=[[BBC Books]] |year=2011 |isbn=978-1-84990-230-4 |pages=32–35}}</ref> The visual appearance of the Silents was inspired by [[Edvard Munch]]'s 1893 painting ''[[The Scream]],''<ref name=":53" /> the mythological figures known as "[[men in black]]",<ref>{{cite web |title=The Silence |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/doctorwho/dw/characters/The_Silence |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110426001659/http://www.bbc.co.uk/doctorwho/dw/characters/The_Silence |archive-date=26 April 2011 |access-date=27 April 2011 |publisher=[[BBC]]}}</ref> and the concept of [[Grey alien|grey aliens]].<ref name="brilliant book">{{cite book |last=Hickman |first=Clayton |title=The Brilliant Book 2012 |publisher=[[BBC Books]] |year=2011 |isbn=978-1-84990-230-4 |pages=32–35}}</ref>

=== Tivolian === {{See also|The God Complex|l1="The God Complex"|Before the Flood (Doctor Who)|l2="Before the Flood" (''Doctor Who'')}}

The Tivolians are a species that first appeared in "[[The God Complex]]" (2011). They are a cowardly race that live on Tivoli, the most invaded planet in the galaxy. As a result, many aspects of their culture and society are based around other species conquering them.<ref>{{Cite web |title=BBC One - Doctor Who (2005–2022), Series 9, Under the Lake - Under the Lake: The Fact File |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/4YFWPhGQjwsBjLbzjQwzgtw/under-the-lake-the-fact-file |access-date=25 July 2025 |website=[[BBC]]-GB|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151008033817/https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/4YFWPhGQjwsBjLbzjQwzgtw/under-the-lake-the-fact-file|archive-date=8 October 2015}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |last=Hay |first=Johnathan |date=2019 |title=Quotidian Science Fiction: Posthuman Dreams of Emancipation |journal=Iowa Journal of Cultural Studies |volume=19 |issue=1 |pages=29-46}}</ref> "The God Complex" features a Tivolian named Gibbis, who is brought to an alien spaceship disguised as a 1980s Earth hotel. This ship houses a [[Minotaur (Doctor Who)|Minotaur]] who feasts on the belief of those brought to the ship.<ref>{{Cite news |last=McLaughlin |first=Helene |date=24 September 2011 |title=Doctor Who: The God Complex - A Recap |url=https://www.wired.com/2011/09/doctor-who-the-god-complex-a-recap/ |access-date=25 July 2025 |work=[[Wired (magazine)|Wired]]-US |issn=1059-1028|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161220093728/https://www.wired.com/2011/09/doctor-who-the-god-complex-a-recap/|archive-date=20 December 2016}}</ref> Another Tivolian, named Prentis, appears in the 2015 episode "[[Before the Flood (Doctor Who)|Before the Flood]]"; Prentis is a funeral director, and arrived on Earth in 1980 to bury the [[Fisher King (Doctor Who)|Fisher King]], a warlord who conquered Tivoli in the past. The Fisher King, who was actually not dead, killed him upon waking up.<ref>{{Cite web |title=BBC One - Doctor Who (2005–2022), Series 9 - Prentis |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/profiles/4lGl59jz8CntTvq3qD87yQc/prentis |access-date=25 July 2025 |website=[[BBC]]-GB|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151014111305/https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/profiles/4lGl59jz8CntTvq3qD87yQc/prentis|archive-date=14 October 2015}}</ref>

Tivolians appear in 2022 spin-off audio drama ''The Tivolian Who Knew Too Much.'' One named Timble Feebis accidentally gained a valuable data chip from a Tivolian spy, which was wanted by Tivolian criminal mastermind Volen Steasel. Feebis helps stop Steasel, and subsequently becomes a [[secret agent]].<ref>{{Cite AV media |url= |title=The Tivolian Who Knew Too Much |date=28 July 2022 |last=Valentine |first=Robert |type=Audio drama |isbn=978-1-83868-915-5|publisher=[[Big Finish Productions]]}}</ref>

=== Shadow Kin === {{See also|For Tonight We Might Die|Co-Owner of a Lonely Heart|Brave-ish Heart|The Lost (Class)}} The Shadow Kin are a species that serve as major antagonists in spin-off series [[Class (2016 TV series)|''Class'']]. The Shadow Kin exist in shadows and can become corporeal to attack their enemies; prior to the events of the show, the Shadow Kin annihilated the Rhodian and Quill races, leading to the only survivors of both races being brought to Earth for safety by the Twelfth Doctor. The Shadow Kin and their leader, Corikinus, seek the Rhodian Cabinet of Souls, a box that contains the souls of 3 billion dead Rhodians that can be used as a weapon. Charlie, the only surviving Rhodian, brought the Cabinet with him, causing the Shadow Kin to follow the survivors to Earth. During the show's opener, "[[For Tonight We Might Die]]" (2016), a student of [[Coal Hill School]], April, gets into an accident that has caused her heart to be shared between her and Corikinus, which will cause both to die if either does. The Doctor's arrival is able to force the Shadow Kin to retreat and be unable to return.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Connolly |first=Kelly |last2=Serrao |first2=Nivea |date=15 April 2017 |title='Class' Series Premiere Recap: Time Never Forgets |url=https://ew.com/recap/class-series-premiere/ |access-date=17 December 2025 |website=[[Entertainment Weekly]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170418180837/https://ew.com/recap/class-series-premiere/|archive-date=18 April 2017}}</ref> Corikinus, in the episode "[[Co-Owner of a Lonely Heart]]" (2016) subsequently attempts to anchor their heart toward him, with both him and April affecting each other; Corikinus is affected emotionally by April while April gains the ability to harness shadowy blades.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Connolly |first=Kelly |last2=Serrao |first2=Nivea |date=6 May 2017 |title='Class' Recap: (Don't Know) Where the Heart Is |url=https://ew.com/recap/class-recap-season-1-episode-4/ |access-date=17 December 2025 |website=[[Entertainment Weekly]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170507065553/https://ew.com/recap/class-recap-season-1-episode-4/|archive-date=7 May 2017}}</ref> April attempts to kill Corikinus in the subsequent episode, "[[Brave-ish Heart]]" (2016), but spares him and becomes king of the Shadow Kin in his place.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Connolly |first=Kelly |last2=Serrao |first2=Nivea |date=13 May 2017 |title='Class' Recap: Daddy Lessons |url=https://ew.com/recap/class-season-1-episode-5/ |access-date=17 December 2025 |website=[[Entertainment Weekly]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170515232841/https://ew.com/recap/class-season-1-episode-5/|archive-date=15 May 2017}}</ref> In the show's finale, "[[The Lost (Class)|The Lost]]" (2016), the Shadow Kin betray April's command, and Corikinus attempts to capture her and invade the Earth. April, at her request, is killed by Charlie, killing Corikinus, but the Shadow Kin prepare a full invasion anyway, forcing Charlie to use the Cabinet to kill them all. Following the Cabinet's activation, April wakes up alive in Corikinus's body.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Serrao |first=Nivea |last2=Connolly |first2=Kelly |date=3 June 2017 |title='Class' Finale Recap: Long Live the King |url=https://ew.com/recap/class-season-1-finale/ |access-date=17 December 2025 |website=[[Entertainment Weekly]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170604040922/https://ew.com/recap/class-season-1-finale/|archive-date=4 June 2017}}</ref>

=== Harmony Shoal === {{Main|The Husbands of River Song|The Return of Doctor Mysterio}}

The Harmony Shoal, also referred to as the Shoal of the Winter Harmony, are a group of brain-like creatures. They have the ability to take control of other creatures' bodies by replacing their brain with a member of the Shoal's. They first appeared in the 2015 Christmas special "[[The Husbands of River Song]]", which depicts the Shoal as one of many races that has been conquered by the tyrannical King Hydroflax. The Shoal wished to give him a diamond that the Twelfth Doctor's companion [[River Song (Doctor Who)|River Song]] had been trying to steal.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Connolly |first=Kelly |date=25 December 2015 |title='Doctor Who' recap: The Doctor's reunion with River doesn't go as planned |url=https://ew.com/recap/doctor-who-season-9-episode-13-christmas-special/ |access-date=22 January 2026 |website=[[Entertainment Weekly]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151227185431/https://ew.com/recap/doctor-who-season-9-episode-13-christmas-special/|archive-date=27 December 2015}}</ref> The Shoal return in the 2016 Christmas special "[[The Return of Doctor Mysterio]]", where they attempt to infiltrate and take over the Earth. They are stopped by the Twelfth Doctor and a [[superhero]] named "The Ghost."<ref>{{Cite web |last=Mulkern |first=Patrick |date=25 December 2016 |title=Doctor Who: The Return of Doctor Mysterio ★★★★★ |url=https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/sci-fi/doctor-who-guide/the-return-of-doctor-mysterio/ |access-date=17 August 2025 |website=[[Radio Times]]-GB|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210422211649/https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/sci-fi/doctor-who-guide/the-return-of-doctor-mysterio/|archive-date=22 April 2021}}</ref><ref name=":482">{{Cite web |last=Serrao |first=Nivea |date=25 December 2016 |title='Doctor Who' Recap: The Doctor Attacks New York City?! |url=https://ew.com/recap/doctor-who-the-return-of-doctor-mysterio/ |access-date=17 August 2025 |website=[[Entertainment Weekly]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161227054006/https://ew.com/recap/doctor-who-the-return-of-doctor-mysterio/|archive-date=27 December 2016}}</ref> At the end of the episode, one of the Shoal is revealed to have survived and taken over the body of a UNIT soldier, allowing it to escape.<ref name=":482" />

The Shoal appear in 2016-2017 spin-off comic series ''Ghost Stories'', which sees the Doctor and the Ghost teaming up to free a planet that has been conquered by the Shoal.<ref name=":402">{{Cite comic |date=26 December 2016 - 22 May 2017 |title=Ghost Stories |publisher=[[Titan Comics]] |writer=Mann, George |artist=Rodriguez, Ivan; Qualano, Pasquale; Calero, Dennis}}</ref> They also appear in the 2024 audio drama ''Invasion of the Body Stealers'', in which the Fourth Doctor stops a planetary invasion by the Harmony Shoal.<ref>{{Cite AV media |title=Invasion of the Body Stealers |date=14 March 2024 |last=Morris |first=Johnathan |type=audio dramaglish |isbn=978-1-83868-917-9|publisher=[[Big Finish Productions]]}}</ref>

=== Stenza === {{See also|The Woman Who Fell to Earth|The Ghost Monument|The Battle of Ranskoor Av Kolos}} The Stenza are a warrior race who first appear in the episode "[[The Woman Who Fell to Earth]]" (2018). The Stenza have, in the past, ravaged the populations of several planets. Those wishing to become leaders of their kind must go on a hunt, during which they pluck a tooth from their targeted victim and embed it into their face.<ref name=":17">{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=7 October 2018 |title=Doctor Who Season 11 Premiere Recap: Nevertheless, She Regenerated |url=https://www.tvline.com/recaps/doctor-who-recap-season-11-episode-1-premiere-jodie-whittaker-988224/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241219103247/https://www.tvline.com/recaps/doctor-who-recap-season-11-episode-1-premiere-jodie-whittaker-988224/ |archive-date=19 December 2024 |access-date=27 February 2026 |website=[[TVLine]]-US}}</ref> "The Woman Who Fell to Earth" depicts a Stenza, named T'zim Sha (nicknamed Tim Shaw by the show's characters) engaging in a hunt on Earth, aiming to capture a human named Karl, though he is defeated by the [[Thirteenth Doctor]].<ref name=":17" /> T'zim Sha later re-appeared in the episode "[[The Battle of Ranskoor Av Kolos]]" (2018), where it is revealed that he has obtained the aid of a race known as the Ux, whom he uses to shrink planets. T'zim Sha is defeated once again by the Doctor and her companions.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Coggan |first=Devan |date=9 December 2018 |title='Doctor Who' recap: An old foe returns in a solid but underwhelming season finale |url=https://ew.com/recap/doctor-who-season-11-finale/ |access-date=9 July 2025 |website=[[Entertainment Weekly]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181210090511/https://ew.com/recap/doctor-who-season-11-finale/|archive-date=10 December 2018}}</ref> The Stenza are mentioned in the 2018 episode "[[The Ghost Monument]]" as having been responsible for forcing scientists on the planet Desolation into creating many horrors that dwell on the planet's surface.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Martin |first=Dan |date=14 October 2018 |title=Doctor Who recap: series 37, episode two – The Ghost Monument |url=https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2018/oct/14/doctor-who-recap-series-37-episode-two-the-ghost-monument |access-date=27 February 2026 |work=[[The Guardian]]-GB |issn=0261-3077|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181014203947/https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2018/oct/14/doctor-who-recap-series-37-episode-two-the-ghost-monument|archive-date=14 October 2018}}</ref>

== Reception and analysis == Several writers have expressed that ''Doctor Who''<nowiki/>'s monsters have been often portrayed as inhuman "[[Other (philosophy)|Others]]". The book, ''Triumph of a Time Lord: Regenerating Doctor Who in the Twenty-First Century'' (2009) by Matt Hills, stated that the show's monsters were made to give child audiences a sense of control while still making them feel fear.''<ref name=":52">{{Cite book |last=Hills |first=Matt |url=https://www.google.com/books/edition/Triumph_of_a_Time_Lord/x9OLDwAAQBAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=%22Time+Lord%22+-wikipedia&printsec=frontcover |title=Triumph of a Time Lord: Regenerating Doctor Who in the Twenty-first Century |date=30 January 2010 |publisher=[[Bloomsbury Publishing]] |isbn=978-0-85773-096-1}}</ref>'' [[Mark Brake]], writing in ''The Science of Doctor Who'' (2021), stated that monster stories tended to be told from a human perspective, with stories often exploring themes of the "human and the nonhuman",<ref>{{Cite book |last=Brake |first=Mark |url=https://www.google.com/books/edition/The_Science_of_Doctor_Who/KBruDwAAQBAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=%22Doctor+Who%22+++%22Monster%22+-wikipedia&pg=PT187&printsec=frontcover |title=The Science of Doctor Who: The Scientific Facts Behind the Time Warps and Space Travels of the Doctor |date=26 January 2021 |publisher=[[Simon and Schuster]] |isbn=978-1-5107-5787-5}}</ref> with [[John Kenneth Muir]] in ''A Critical History of Doctor Who on Television'' (1999) stating that the show's early monster stories had monsters treated in "absolutes" and often saw little exploration of who the creatures were, being "non-human representations of absolute evil, they had to be eliminated before they could annihilate humanity".{{Sfn|Kenneth Muir|2007|pp=59–60}} Danny Nichol's book ''Doctor Who: A British Alien?'' (2018) stated that there were many instances of the Doctor treating several aliens, such as the Macra and [[Silent (Doctor Who)|Silents]], with [[genocide]], with neither the show or other characters being critical of the Doctor's actions.{{Sfn|Nicol|2018|pp=171–179}}

Critics have stated that the usage of monsters within the series can be seen as representing British cultural anxieties. The book ''Inside the TARDIS: The Worlds of Doctor Who'' (2006) by [[James Chapman (media historian)|James Chapman]] stated that the show's increasing usage of monsters during the 1960s served to characterise them as Others, and that it reflected real-world anxieties regarding race and immigration at the time of the episodes' airing. As well as inflicting paranoia in audiences, the book also stated that alien invasions frequently taking place in the British mainland was reflective of British self-importance, as if aliens deemed Britain an important location in their invasion plans, then it maintained the idea that Britain was still a "great power".{{Sfn|Chapman|2006|p=5}} The book ''Aliens in Popular Culture'' (2019), edited by [[Michael M. Levy]] and [[Farah Mendlesohn]], stated that the alien invasion narrative present in the series was a result of British cultural anxieties over the country's ability to defend itself, a narrative originally perpetuated by [[H. G. Wells]]' novel ''[[The War of the Worlds]]'' (1898). Various monsters introduced throughout the series were stated to represent different anxieties: [[Cyberman|Cybermen]] represent [[posthuman]] fears, [[Silurian and Sea Devil|Silurians]] and [[Zygon|Zygons]] represent anxieties towards indigenous persons and refugees, respectively, and the [[Dalek|Daleks]] represent anxieties present during the time of the [[London Blitz|Blitz]].<ref name=":50">{{Cite book |last=Levy |first=Michael M. |author-link=Michael M. Levy |url=https://www.google.com/books/edition/Aliens_in_Popular_Culture/GFHEEAAAQBAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=%22Doctor+Who%22+++%22popular+culture%22+++%22Alien%22+-wikipedia&pg=PA105&printsec=frontcover |title=Aliens in Popular Culture |last2=Mendlesohn |first2=Farah |author-link2=Farah Mendlesohn |date=22 March 2019 |publisher=[[Bloomsbury Publishing]] |isbn=978-1-4408-3833-0 |pages=105-107}}</ref>

Despite the "Othering" of the show's monsters, many writers have expressed that the show often gives significant depth to its monsters that defy the traditional trope of the "Other". Ivan Phillips' book ''Once Upon a Time Lord: The Myths and Stories of Doctor Who'' (2020) stated that the series' monsters tended not to fall within a strict sense of good or evil.{{Sfn|Phillips|2020|p=55}} Muir considered the era of the [[Third Doctor]] to be a period where the Doctor confronted his own prior misgivings toward non-human creatures in the series via his attempts at negotiation with the Silurians and the overcoming of his personal disdain towards the [[Ice Warrior|Ice Warriors]].{{Sfn|Kenneth Muir|2007|pp=59–60}} ''Triumph of a Time Lord: Regenerating Doctor Who in the Twenty-First Century'' stated that this defiance of usual tropes is also conveyed through the increased use of sympathetic antagonists in the show's revival, which help convey that many creatures that can seem scary often have reasons underpinning their motivations that the audience may not at first understand.''<ref name=":52" />'' Hills also stated that many of these monsters act as an evolution of conventional horror tropes in that many of the show's monsters fail to fall into established horror categories, conveying horror through methods other than usual tropes such as the usage of Other.''<ref name=":52" />'' Priya Dixit, writing in the academic journal ''[[International Studies Perspectives]]'', stated that many monsters in the show, while characterised as "Others", were often given varying shades of humanity. While some aliens were considered threats that needed to be destroyed, many had different individual characters that could be related to and understood from different viewpoints, with many of these viewpoints often being marginalised in other science-fiction media.''<ref name=":314">{{Cite journal |last=Dixit |first=Priya |date=August 2012 |title=Relating to Difference: Aliens and Alienness in "Doctor Who" and International Relations |journal=[[International Studies Perspectives]] |volume=13 |issue=3 |pages=289-306 |via=[[JSTOR]]}}</ref> Aliens in Popular Culture'' stated that as sympathetic portrayals of returning monsters became more prevalent, the series was able to establish that there were "alternate responses to invasion and invasion anxiety".''<ref name=":50" />'' ==References== {{Reflist}}

== Bibliography ==

* {{cite book |last=Sleight |first=Graham |author-link=Graham Sleight |title=The Doctor's Monsters: Meanings of the Monstrous in Doctor Who |date=20 October 2012 |publisher=[[I B Tauris]] |ISBN=978-1-84885-178-8}}

* {{Cite book |last=Phillips |first=Ivan |title=Once Upon a Time Lord: The Myths and Stories of Doctor Who |date=20 February 2020 |publisher=[[Bloomsbury Publishing]] |isbn=978-1-78831-645-3}}

* {{Cite book |last=Chapman |first=James |author-link=James Chapman (author) |title=Inside the TARDIS: The Worlds of Doctor Who |date=19 September 2006 |publisher=[[I B Tauris]] |isbn=978-1-84511-163-2}}

* {{Cite book |last=Kenneth Muir |first=John |title=A Critical History of Doctor Who on Television |date=2007 |publisher=McFarland Publishing |isbn=978-0-7864-3716-0}}

* {{Cite book |last=Kistler |first=Alan |title=Doctor Who: A History |date=1 October 2013 |publisher=[[Rowman & Littlefield]] |isbn=978-1-4930-0016-6}} * {{Cite book |last=Nicol |first=Danny |title=Doctor Who: A British Alien? |date=2018 |publisher=[[Springer Nature]] |isbn=978-3-319-65833-9}} * {{Cite book |last=Frankel |first=Valerie Estelle |title=Women in Doctor Who: Damsels, Feminists and Monsters |date=4 March 2018 |publisher=[[McFarland Publishing]] |isbn=978-1-4766-3154-7}} * {{Cite book |last=Gibson |first=Graham |title=Doctor Who: A Cultural History |date=6 May 2025 |publisher=[[Bloomsbury Publishing]] |isbn=979-8-8818-5613-7}} * {{Cite book |last=Jowett |first=Lorna |title=Dancing with the Doctor: Dimensions of Gender in the Doctor Who Universe |date=30 June 2017 |publisher=[[Bloomsbury Publishing]] |isbn=978-1-78672-146-4}} * {{Cite book |last=Layton |first=David |title=The Humanism of Doctor Who: A Critical Study in Science Fiction and Philosophy |date=10 January 2014 |publisher=[[McFarland Publishing]] |isbn=978-0-7864-8944-2}} * {{Cite book |last=Parsons |first=Paul |author-link=Paul Parsons |title=The Science of Doctor Who |date=2006 |publisher=Icon Books |isbn=978-1-84046-737-6}}

* {{Cite book |last=Crome |first=Andrew |title=Religion and Doctor Who: Time and Relative Dimensions in Faith |last2=McGrath |first2=James F |date=14 November 2013 |publisher=Wipf and Stock Publishers |isbn=978-1-62564-377-3}}

=== ''The Complete History'' === * {{Cite book |last=Ainsworth |first=John |title=Doctor Who: The Complete History: An Unearthly Child – The Daleks |date=21 October 2015 |publisher=[[Hachette Partworks]], [[Panini Publishing]] |year=2015a |issn=2057-6048}} * {{Cite book |last=Ainsworth |first=John |title=Doctor Who: The Complete History: Gridlock – Daleks in Manhattan – Evolution of the Daleks – 42 |date=9 September 2015 |publisher=[[Hachette Partworks]], [[Panini Publishing]] |year=2015c |issn=2057-6048}} * {{Cite book |last=Ainsworth |first=John |title=Doctor Who: The Complete History: The Christmas Invasion – New Earth – Tooth and Claw |date=2 December 2015 |publisher=[[Hachette Partworks]], [[Panini Publishing]] |year=2015d |issn=2057-6048}} * {{Cite book |last=Ainsworth |first=John |title=Doctor Who: The Complete History: The Crusade – The Space Museum – The Chase – The Time Meddler |date=27 January 2016 |publisher=[[Hachette Partworks]], [[Panini Publishing]] |issn=2057-6048 |year=2016a}} * {{Cite book |last=Ainsworth |first=John |title=Doctor Who: The Complete History: The Abominable Snowmen – The Ice Warriors – The Enemy of the World – The Web of Fear |date=1 June 2016 |publisher=[[Hachette Partworks]], [[Panini Publishing]] |year=2016g |issn=2057-6048}} * {{Cite book |last=Ainsworth |first=John |title=Doctor Who: The Complete History: The Deadly Assassin – The Face of Evil – The Robots of Death – The Talons of Weng-Chiang |date=9 March 2016 |publisher=[[Hachette Partworks]], [[Panini Publishing]] |year=2016h |issn=2057-6048}} * {{Cite book |last=Ainsworth |first=John |title=Doctor Who: The Complete History: Spearhead from Space – The Silurians – The Ambassadors of Death |date=27 July 2016 |publisher=[[Hachette Partworks]], [[Panini Publishing]] |year=2016j |issn=2057-6048}} * {{Cite book |last=Ainsworth |first=John |title=Doctor Who: The Complete History: Planet of Evil – Pyramids of Mars – The Android Invasion – The Brain of Morbius |date=10 August 2016 |publisher=[[Hachette Partworks]], [[Panini Publishing]] |year=2016l |issn=2057-6048}} * {{Cite book |last=Ainsworth |first=John |title=Doctor Who: The Complete History: The Power of Kroll – The Armageddon Factor – Destiny of the Daleks |date=18 May 2016 |publisher=[[Hachette Partworks]], [[Panini Publishing]] |year=2016m |issn=2057-6048}} * {{Cite book |last=Ainsworth |first=John |title=Doctor Who: The Complete History: School Reunion – The Girl in the Fireplace – Rise of the Cybermen – The Age of Steel – The Idiot's Lantern |date=21 September 2016 |publisher=[[Hachette Partworks]], [[Panini Publishing]] |year=2016p |issn=2057-6048}} * {{Cite book |last=Ainsworth |first=John |title=Doctor Who: The Complete History: Planet of the Daleks – The Green Death – The Time Warrior |date=6 April 2016 |publisher=[[Hachette Partworks]], [[Panini Publishing]] |year=2016r |issn=2057-6048}} * {{Cite book |last=Ainsworth |first=John |title=Doctor Who: The Complete History: The Macra Terror – The Faceless Ones – The Evil of the Daleks – The Tomb of the Cybermen |date=12 July 2017 |publisher=[[Hachette Partworks]], [[Panini Publishing]] |year=2017a |issn=2057-6048}} * {{Cite book |last=Ainsworth |first=John |title=Doctor Who: The Complete History: Underworld – The Invasion of Time – The Ribos Operation |date=23 August 2017 |publisher=[[Hachette Partworks]], [[Panini Publishing]] |year=2017b |issn=2057-6048}} * {{Cite book |last=Ainsworth |first=John |title=Doctor Who: The Complete History: Arc of Infinity – Snakedance – Mawdryn Undead |date=22 February 2017 |publisher=[[Hachette Partworks]], [[Panini Publishing]] |year=2017e |issn=2057-6048}} * {{Cite book |last=Ainsworth |first=John |title=Doctor Who: The Complete History: Silence in the Library – Forest of the Dead – Midnight – Turn Left |date=8 March 2017 |publisher=[[Hachette Partworks]], [[Panini Publishing]] |year=2017j |issn=2057-6048}} * {{Cite book |last=Ainsworth |first=John |title=Doctor Who: The Complete History: Terminus – Enlightenment – The King's Demons – The Five Doctors |date=18 October 2017 |publisher=[[Hachette Partworks]], [[Panini Publishing]] |year=2017f |issn=2057-6048}} * {{Cite book |last=Ainsworth |first=John |title=Doctor Who: The Complete History: The Seeds of Death – The Space Pirates – The War Games |date=7 February 2018 |publisher=[[Hachette Partworks]], [[Panini Publishing]] |year=2018a |issn=2057-6048}}

==External links== * [https://web.archive.org/web/20070621175054/http://www.btinternet.com/~jp1885/who/index.html The Bumper Book of ''Doctor Who'' Monsters, Villains & Alien Species] * {{cite news|title=Every Doctor Who villain since 1963|url=https://www.theguardian.com/news/datablog/2010/jul/16/doctor-who-villains-list|newspaper=[[The Guardian]]|date=16 July 2010}}

{{Doctor Who}} {{Doctor Who characters|selected=Villains}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Creatures and Aliens in Doctor Who}} [[Category:Doctor Who aliens|*]] [[Category:Doctor Who lists]] [[Category:Lists of Doctor Who characters|Creatures and aliens]] [[Category:Lists of fictional extraterrestrial species and races|Doctor Who]] [[Category:Lists of fictional species|Doctor Who]] [[Category:Lists of villains|Doctor Who universe creatures and aliens]] [[Category:The Sarah Jane Adventures|*]] [[Category:Torchwood characters| ]] [[Category:Torchwood lists|Creatures and aliens]]