One-time Doctor Who actor Samuel West hopes to bring classic Time Lord villain Morbius back to face Ncuti Gatwa’s Fifteenth Doctor. While he has provided the voice of Morbius since 2008’s Eighth Doctor audio drama “The Vengeance of Morbius,” West made his Doctor Who debut as Cyrian, companion to fellow Gallifreyan scientist The Rani, in the infamous 1993 Children In Need special Dimensions In Time. Morbius was a disgraced Time Lord who violated Gallifrey’s laws with his lust for conquest and was executed, though his mind would live on.
West will return to Doctor Who in April in Big Finish’s Dark Gallifrey: Morbius, and he shared his ideal story for a future Fifteenth Doctor adventure with Radio Times. Opening up about his hopes of reprising his role in the television series, West discussed the potential Morbius could bring while praising his excitement for Gatwa’s tenure in the TARDIS. Check out West’s explanation below:
While Morbius has never made an appearance in Doctor Who‘s revival era, “The Brain of Morbius” has been carried on through many key stories. Under then-showrunner Steven Moffat, Karn and the Sisterhood featured in both the 50th anniversary special and season 9, playing a key part in the Eighth Doctor’s influenced Time War regeneration and the Twelfth Doctor’s return to Gallifrey. Meanwhile, the mysterious pre-Hartnell Doctors established in the story would play a key part in the “Timeless Child” storyline of Chris Chibnall and Jodie Whittaker’s era.
With both the Sisterhood of Karn and pre-Hartnell Doctors playing key roles in Doctor Who‘s present, now may be the best time to reintroduce Morbius. Gatwa’s era of Doctor Who is seemingly less lore-heavy for the benefit of any new viewers, but Morbius is a perfect example of the worst a Time Lord can be due to his aspiring warmonger origins. As such, Morbius would show audiences how Time Lords can violate their power without relying on The Master, while continuing classic series storylines.
While the Doctor may be a beloved hero to the universe, his Time Lord foes such as Morbius, The Master, The Rani, and Rassilon are proof of how their power can corrupt. Not only have their appearances led to them becoming some of the series’ most memorable villains, but they provide an interesting perspective on the fragility of time, and how easily a twisted mind could damage the universe. While Gatwa’s upcoming Doctor Who adventures will bring in supernatural threats, West portraying the infamous undead Time Lord criminal could be a perfect fit for the series’ new tone.
Source: Radio Times