Den of Geek

Home | TV Archive

Dr Who: Gillian Anderson is The Rani?

Cameron K McEwan


The team behind the show are keen for the next Doctor to have lots of new enemies and Gillian would be a glamorous and impressive addition to the list.

The biggest fangasm this side of the millennium is heard as Gillian Anderson is to join the cast of Doctor Who. But who is she playing...?

Published on Apr 23, 2009

Sci-fi goddess Gillian Anderson is being lined up to star in the fifth series of the popular television show Doctor Who, according to the Daily Express.

The actress, best known for playing Dana Scully in The X-Files, is reportedly being lined up to star as The Rani in Matt Smith's first series as the Time Lord. The Rani is a renegade Time Lady who first appeared in Who during the Eighties' story Mark of the Rani and returned in Time and the Rani. She was originally played by Kate O' Mara.

An 'insider' told the paper, "The Rani would be a perfect role for her as the character used to be regarded as one of the Doctor’s most deadly opponents” whilst also, paradoxically, adding, "The team behind the show are keen for the next Doctor to have lots of new enemies."

Anderson, now living in the UK, has recently starred in The Last King of Scotland, How To Lose Friends & Alienate People and the BBC production of Bleak House. The forty-year old actress is about to star alongside Christopher Eccleston on stage in A Doll's House.

 

facebook digg delicious furl stumbleupon | Comment | Permalink | Trackbacks (0) | Email | Print this

Users Comments

Re: Dr Who: Gillian Anderson is The Rani?
Posted By cordas 1 April 23, 2009 09:37:10 AM

Superb.... can't wait!!!

Re: Dr Who: Gillian Anderson is The Rani?
Posted By willbass86 1 April 23, 2009 12:36:58 PM

This Rani thing has been rumbling on for a while, was it her hand that grabbed the Master's ring? That was a nice "out" for the writers, crafty.

Re: Dr Who: Gillian Anderson is The Rani?
Posted By 2pworth 1 April 23, 2009 04:15:35 PM

Why bother with The Rani? Why not just invent a new character... too much old ground being trodden

Re: Dr Who: Gillian Anderson is The Rani?
Posted By theshadowalker 1 April 23, 2009 05:03:59 PM

Hmn. I never really liked the Rani; the Doctor already has his Moriarty (the Master), so the Rani always felt like the proverbial 3rd wheel to me. (And if they're going to bring back ANOTHER of the last Time Lords, shouldn't it be Romana?) But I do like Anderson...so now I'm torn.

Re: Dr Who: Gillian Anderson is The Rani?
Posted By pipermaru81 1 April 23, 2009 05:56:24 PM

this is so exciting. can't wait!

Re: Dr Who: Gillian Anderson is The Rani?
Posted By cordas 1 April 23, 2009 06:02:49 PM

I love that they are going back to the history, its part of what makes Dr Who so great... and as for The Doctor having only the Master as his Moriarty.. what about Davros and the Daleks, what about the Cybermen, what about.... Dr Who has a number of running great enemies. Although the idea of Gillian playing Romona also appeals...

Re: Dr Who: Gillian Anderson is The Rani?
Posted By theshadowalker 1 April 23, 2009 07:15:12 PM

True, the Doc has lots of recurring enemies. But the Yin to his Yang is, IMHO, the Master (as, again, Moriarty is to Holmes)...and I feel that another bad-guy Time Lord is superfluous (in much the same manner that bringing in another megalomanical Kaled scientist would be).

Re: Dr Who: Gillian Anderson is The Rani?
Posted By valpy 1 April 23, 2009 07:40:02 PM

I agree with theshadowalker, bring back Romana from E-Space and see if Lalla would consider playing her and maybe give her a decent regeneration scene if a new actress was to take the role.

Re: Dr Who: Gillian Anderson is The Rani?
Posted By solaco111 1 April 28, 2009 05:03:36 PM

not sure about all the digging up old characters, maybe an exception for the ice warriors and perhaps they could revise the whole ark in space thing (a favourite of mine), but not the rani.. I would like to see gillian anderson in it... just not like that, maybe a companion for a few episodes?

Re: Dr Who: Gillian Anderson is The Rani?
Posted By mlogue11 1 July 17, 2009 12:12:36 PM

Sorry to disappoint all of you but this isn't true. She put a notice on her website saying that she had no plans to appear in Dr Who as the Rani or anyone else. It's still there if you want to check it out. Sorry Guys !!!!!!!!

Re: Dr Who: Gillian Anderson is The Rani?
Posted By mattrek 1 July 23, 2009 10:12:06 AM

Hi Guy, sorry going off topic now. Did we ever see the time war?
Post a Comment
 
Gillian Anderson

The Rani? I want to believe...

Follow Den of Geek on

Related Articles

SEARCH

Advanced

Broadband

Mobile Broadband

Compare over 100 mobile broadband & broadband deals online!

Mobile Phones

LG ArenaHTC Magic

Compare over 250 mobile phones &
52,000 deals!