Dr Who: Gillian Anderson is The Rani?
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...?
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.
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Superb.... can't wait!!!
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.
Why bother with The Rani? Why not just invent a new character... too much old ground being trodden
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.
this is so exciting. can't wait!
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...
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).
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.
I think that Gillian Anderson would be the perfect choice to play The Rani...