Who is Mrs. Flood from Doctor Who? Possible Classic Era Connections

Mrs. Flood played by Anita Dobson is undoubtedly one of the most intriguing characters of the season. Frustratingly, we still don’t get many answers about who she is, why she can break the fourth wall and talk to the audience, or why she has so much information on the Doctor and his enemies. This contains spoilers for the latest season of Doctor Who.  

Ncuti Gatwa’s first season as the Doctor comes to an end in the Doctor Who Season 1 finale, “Empire of Death.” This episode, part of a two-part story arc written by showrunner Russell T Davies and directed by Jamie Donoughue, finds the Doctor in the aftermath of Sutekh’s reveal. Facing the death and destruction Sutekh has unleashed across the universe. The Doctor has lost his TARDIS to Sutekh, setting the stage for an episode filled with action, suspense, and mystery. But we still know very little about Mrs. Flood.

What we know about Mrs. Flood so far

So far, we have learned that Mrs. Flood is a neighbor to the Sunday family. She first appeared in “The Church on Ruby Road” and continues to be a recurring character in this season of Doctor Who. In her first episode, the Fifteenth Doctor’s TARDIS materializes outside her house, much to her annoyance. She incorrectly blames another neighbor for the inconvenience. Throughout the episode, she witnesses the Doctor entering and exiting the TARDIS, observing his sadness. Mrs. Flood encourages Ruby Sunday (Millie Gibson) to join him in the TARDIS. In a surprising twist, she breaks the fourth wall, revealing to the audience that she knows the true nature of the TARDIS.

By the series finale “Empire of Death” it is clear that she has chosen to stay close to Ruby Sunday and her family. Yet her reasons remain unclear. At the end of the episode “The Legend of Ruby Sunday,” Ms. Flood reveals some of her knowledge to Cherry Sunday (Angela Wynter), stating, “I’ve been very careful, Ms. Sunday. There’s a storm coming in. He waits no more.” This suggests that she is aware of Sutekh and is anticipating their arrival.

Mrs. Flood questions Mrs. Sunday about her belief in the power of prayer, then threatens, “Then tell your maker I will come down to storm his gates of gold, and I will seize his kingdom in my true name… I’m sorry it ends like this, I had such plans.” While her true name remains undisclosed, her declaration suggests an acceptance of her mortal demise and a vow of revenge against this world’s God. Interestingly, she seems aware of multiple deities, aligning with the list recited by Sutekh’s harbinger, Harriet, in the previous episode. When the doctor resets the timeline, Mrs. Flood rejoices and calls the doctor a clever boy, indicating she is aware they have been saved.

Could Ms. Flood be a previous companion Doctor Who companion?

At the end of “Empire of Death,” she breaks the fourth wall again, narrating Ruby Sunday’s ending and warning the audience that the Doctor’s story will not end as nicely. In fact, she says it will end in absolute terror. The reasons behind her knowledge and her attire—winter white, luggage, umbrella, and snow—remain a mystery. Her appearance echoes that of a previous Doctor Who companion, Romana I, further deepening the intrigue.

Romana I, a Time Lord companion to the Fourth Doctor, showcased exceptional intelligence, reason, caution, and calculation. While initially arrogant and considering herself superior, Romana I grew to respect the Doctor’s vast experience. Characterized by her dark hair and pale eyes, Romana I embarked on numerous adventures alongside the Doctor, their complex relationship marked by both arguments and mutual respect. Romana I played a crucial role in assisting the Doctor in finding the Key to Time.

Possible White Guardian Connections

Could Mrs. Flood be another god-like entity, akin to the Toymaker, Sutekh, or the Master? Or is she a god-like figure, like the White Guardian? Possibly her white attire at the end of the episode is a symbolic gesture, representing her as the White Guardian. Both Romana I and The White Guardian make their first appearances in the 1978 episode “The Ribos Operation.”

According to Wiki TARDIS, the White Guardian is a God-like being, one of two Guardians of Time who embody good and evil. The White Guardian is associated with order and good, while the Black Guardian represents chaos and evil. They were created by Rassilon to maintain cosmic balance. The White Guardian has appeared throughout history to help the Doctor on quests. In one instance, the White Guardian used the Key to Time to bring peace to the universe. However, the Key was later broken into pieces, the White Guardian recruited the Doctor to help him find them. A powerful being, who is often seen as a benevolent force, but also known to be manipulative and ruthless at times. He is a complex character who plays an important role in the Doctor Who universe.

Given that this season featured numerous references to the classic Doctor Who era, it’s possible they might revisit past story arcs. It would be exciting to encounter old enemies beyond the usual Daleks, Cybermen, and the Master.

For More Doctor Who Coverage check out:

“The Legend of Ruby Sunday” – Review & Discussion

“Rogue” – Review & Discussion

History of Sutekh from Doctor Who’s “The Legend of Ruby Sunday”