As the latest season of “Doctor Who” concludes with the revelation of Ruby Sunday’s mother, fans of the long-running sci-fi series have found themselves captivated by a new enigma: the true identity of Mrs Flood, portrayed by Anita Dobson.
The character, who has been a source of speculation throughout the season, delivered cryptic and ominous messages in the finale “Empire of Death.” Mrs Flood’s warning to the Doctor that his story ends in “absolute terror” has left viewers pondering her role in the broader narrative.
However, it’s not just Mrs Flood’s words that have sparked interest. Eagle-eyed fans have noticed a series of costume choices that seem to reference various companions from the show’s extensive history. These include outfits reminiscent of Clara Oswald, Rory, and Ryan. Most notably, in the finale’s closing moments, Mrs Flood dons a distinctive white fluffy coat, a clear nod to Romana, a Time Lord companion of the Fourth Doctor.
After watching #DoctorWho #EmpireOfDeath I’m loving reading the #MrsFlood companion cosplayer speculation. 🤯🤯 I hadn’t even clicked! pic.twitter.com/aVEN8MPLPe
— Richard Price (@richard_price2) June 23, 2024
This attention to sartorial detail has fueled numerous theories about Mrs Flood’s true nature. Some speculate she could be a Time Lord in hiding, given her reference to concealing herself. Others propose a more meta possibility: that Mrs Flood might be the God of Stories, a fourth-wall-breaking entity capable of manipulating the Doctor’s history.
These theories align with the season’s focus on various godlike beings, including the Toymaker, Maestro, and Sutekh. The introduction of a character who can traverse the Doctor’s timeline through costume would present a formidable and intriguing adversary for Ncuti Gatwa’s Fifteenth Doctor.
As fans eagerly dissect every clue, the production team remains tight-lipped about Mrs Flood’s true identity. With filming for the next season already completed, it may be some time before answers are revealed.
Ok I just saw a cool theory about, what if… Mrs Flood is The God of Stories?#DoctorWho pic.twitter.com/hMexxLwalW
— TardisMonkey 🦖 🍂 (@tardis_monkey) June 23, 2024
In the meantime, “Doctor Who” enthusiasts can look forward to the upcoming Christmas special, written by former showrunner Steven Moffat and featuring “Bridgerton” star Nicola Coughlan. The special will air during the festive season, potentially offering more clues to unravel the mystery of Mrs Flood.
As “Doctor Who” continues to evolve under showrunner Russell T Davies, the introduction of such a layered mystery demonstrates the show’s commitment to engaging long-time fans while crafting new narratives for a fresh generation of viewers.
