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:
I’d love to [play Morbius on screen]. I hope I would be on the list for people should he return. It’s always hard to know what sort of shape he’s going to be in. It may be that they need somebody who looks different or sounds different or moves differently… but Morbius is the gift that keeps on giving. He keeps coming back, and it seems impossible to annihilate him. I’d love to. I think [the show] is in very good shape. I think Ncuti is brilliant casting and I’d love to work with him. I think he’s a fantastic actor. So yeah, I’m cheap and available!
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.
FAQ
Who is Morbius in Doctor Who?
Morbius is a classic Time Lord villain in Doctor Who, known for his lust for conquest and his violations of Gallifrey’s laws. He has appeared in various forms of Doctor Who media since his debut in the classic series.
What is Samuel West’s connection to Morbius? Samuel West has provided the voice of Morbius in Big Finish audio dramas since 2008’s “The Vengeance of Morbius.” He also made his Doctor Who debut as Cyrian, companion to The Rani, in the 1993 Children In Need special “Dimensions In Time.”
What are Samuel West’s hopes for Morbius in the future of Doctor Who? West hopes to reprise his role as Morbius in the television series and has expressed his excitement for the potential of Morbius facing Ncuti Gatwa’s Fifteenth Doctor. He believes Morbius is a character that keeps coming back and would love the opportunity to portray him again.
Why is now a good time to reintroduce Morbius in Doctor Who? With elements from Morbius’s storyline, such as the Sisterhood of Karn and the pre-Hartnell Doctors, playing key roles in the current era of Doctor Who, now may be the ideal time to reintroduce Morbius. His character could provide insight into the darker aspects of Time Lord history and the consequences of abusing power.
How does Morbius fit into the broader themes of Doctor Who? Morbius represents the darker side of Time Lord society and serves as a reminder of how power can corrupt. His character adds depth to the exploration of morality and the consequences of actions in the Doctor Who universe.
Will Morbius’s return impact the tone of the series? Morbius’s return could introduce a darker tone to Doctor Who, exploring themes of corruption and power. However, his storyline would likely align with the overall tone and direction of Gatwa’s era as the Fifteenth Doctor.