Husk

The Husks were the former bodies of Josiah Samuel Smith, a member of an alien survey sent to Earth by Light. They were not much use to Smith save as henchmen.

Biography

Josiah did not appear humanoid in his original form and therefore began to evolve into the dominant species at the time, the Victorian Gentleman. This process appeared to take some time.

There were two Husks in the lower observatory of Gabriel Chase. One of these looked like a reptile, the other like an insect. Both wore clothing very similar to Josiah's.

A third husk was created in the upper observatory after Josiah abandoned his interim state, in the manner of an insect completing his evolution. This husk was exactly the same as Josiah's final appearance, except that it had flaky skin.

The Husks were free to move to a degree. The ones in the lower gallery endeavoured to capture Ace but Nimrod fended them off with a lantern. All the husks and Josiah's interim state just before complete evolution were afraid of light; it was strongly implied this was because Josiah associated light with Light, his master. (DW: Ghost Light)

Behind the scenes

According to the writer, Marc Platt, Husks were placed in the story because the first two episodes lacked monsters.
The reptile husks' head resemble Omega's helmet in DW: Arc of Infinity.