Empress of Mars (TV story)
Empress of Mars was the ninth episode of the tenth series of Doctor Who produced by BBC Wales. This episode was notable for introducing in 2017 the first on-screen female Ice Warrior, the Ice Queen Iraxxa, 50 years since the species were introduced in 1967's The Ice Warriors.
It is also notable for the episode to include a surprise appearance from Alpha Centauri, a character last seen in the Third Doctor/Jon Pertwee era story The Monster of Peladon in 1974.
Behind the scenes, Empress also saw the return of two actors from classic Doctor Who: Ysanne Churchman, who here reprises the role of Alpha Centauri for the first time since Pertwee, and Anthony Calf, who last appeared on televised Doctor Who in the Peter Davison era serial, The Visitation, first broadcast in 1982.
Synopsis
When NASA discovers a message on Mars's surface, the Twelfth Doctor, Nardole, and Bill are called to investigate. On arrival, they find themselves embroiled in a conflict between the Ice Warriors and the Empress Iraxxa, and Victorian soldiers—who are determined to conquer Mars. It's just the same, only this time the humans are the ones invading. Now which side should the Doctor help: humans, or Ice Warriors? One thing is abundantly clear, the Doctor must choose fast, as the Martian hive awakens around them.
Plot
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Cast
- The Doctor - Peter Capaldi
- Bill - Pearl Mackie
- Nardole - Matt Lucas
- Missy - Michelle Gomez
- Godsacre - Anthony Calf
- Catchlove - Ferdinand Kingsley
- Friday - Richard Ashton
- Iraxxa - Adele Lynch
- Sergeant Major Peach - Glenn Speers
- Jackdaw - Ian Beattie
- Vincey - Bayo Gbadamosi
- Knibbs - Ian Hughes
- Coolidge - Lesley Ewen
- Voice of Alpha Centauri - Ysanne Churchman
Crew
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References
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Story notes
File:Matt Lucas and Mark Gatiss - The Aftershow - Doctor Who The Fan Show
- The read-through for Empress of Mars took place on 11 January 2017, and filming took place between 27 January and 22 February.
Ratings
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Filming locations
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Production errors
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Continuity
- The Doctor told Friday that he was an Honorary Guardian of the Tythonian Hive. (TV: The Creature from the Pit)
- The Doctor sends a message to Alpha Centauri to start the new Ice Warriors' lives. (TV: The Curse of Peladon)
- The Doctor had previously encountered an Ice Warrior who had been asleep for a very long time. (TV: Cold War)
- The Doctor remarks on how he can't resist a countdown. He previously said similar of the Saxon Master. (TV: Last of the Time Lords)
- Bill mentions Neil Armstrong and the 1969 moon landing. The Tenth Doctor was present for it with companion Martha Jones (TV: Blink) while his eleventh incarnation witnessed the broadcast live of Armstrong live while interrupting the footage with the image of a Silent. (TV: Day of the Moon)
Home video releases
DVD releases
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Blu-ray releases
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Digital releases
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External links
- Official Empress of Mars page on the Doctor Who website
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