Unassuming Mrs. Flood (played by Anita Dobson) is behind one of the most unexpected twists in the Doctor Who Christmas special. This leaves fans wondering about her significance and the potential impact on the future adventures of the Fifteenth Doctor (played by Ncuti Gatwa). "The Church on Ruby Road," the 2023 special, presents several mysteries for Doctor Who fans to ponder.
The bumper-sized festive outing keeps Ruby Sunday’s (Millie Gibson) mother's identity a secret. Some Doctor Who fans believe they have figured it out, but showrunner Russell T Davies is staying silent on the matter. However, the focus is now on Mrs. Flood, making her a hot topic of conversation. Stick around for Doctor Who Christmas special spoilers!
Doctor Who: Who is Mrs Flood? Old lady explained
Mrs Flood, a resident at 4 Minto Road in Notting Hill, is portrayed as a typical elderly neighbor of Ruby Sunday in the Doctor Who Christmas special. However, the mid-credits scene suggests that there is more to this seemingly ordinary old lady.
Mrs. Flood, previously unaware of Time Lord culture, now turns to the camera with a smirk and asks, "Never seen a TARDIS before?" It remains a mystery how Mrs. Flood is aware of the Doctor’s time-traveling spacecraft and when she acquired this knowledge.
It is uncertain if Mrs. Flood's fourth-wall-breaking moment in the Doctor Who Christmas special is only for comedic effect or if it is part of Davies' larger plans for the show's future. Despite this uncertainty, many fans are hopeful that it is the latter, based on the reactions seen on social media.
What are Doctor Who fans’ theories about Mrs Flood?
The internet, particularly on X (formerly Twitter), is currently flooded with theories speculating that Ruby’s neighbor could be another character from Doctor Who in disguise. The top contenders include iconic villains like the Master and the Rani, as well as former companion River Song.
Mrs. Flood is definitely the mysterious Rani. The Land of Fiction has been dropping hints since the beginning of the specials and has been subtly seeded in TOTT. Think about it - what brings a flood? The rain. And what's an anagram of rain? Rani. #DoctorWho Dimensions in Time is considered canon. No arguments. pic.twitter.com/cYBHkA9YFv
"What causes a flood? Rain," wrote one user, while another added, "An anagram of Rain is Rani." Referencing a character's birth name, someone commented, "Melody Pond. River Song. Mrs Flood. Calling it now." Another user asked, "Has anyone else noticed how TARDIS-like Mrs Flood’s front door is?" Adding, "Maybe she is the Master, as doesn’t the Chameleon Circuit on his/her/their TARDIS work?"
It’s important to note that all of these theories about Mrs Flood are purely speculative at this point. We will update this page with any new information about the character as it becomes available.
Watch Doctor Who: The Church on Ruby Road now on BBC iPlayer (UK & Ireland) and Disney+ (all other regions). Stay up to date with the latest Doctor Who news and updates by visiting Dexerto’s comprehensive coverage here.
Editor's P/S
As a Gen Z netizen, I am intrigued by the mystery surrounding Mrs. Flood in the Doctor Who Christmas special. The character's seemingly ordinary appearance belies a deeper knowledge of Time Lord culture, as evidenced by her knowing smirk and question about the TARDIS. This has sparked a flurry of speculation among fans, with many taking to social media to share their theories about her true identity.
Personally, I believe that Mrs. Flood may be a former companion of the Doctor, or even a Time Lord herself. Her familiarity with the TARDIS and her ability to break the fourth wall suggest that she has a deeper connection to the Doctor's world than is immediately apparent. I am excited to see how her character develops in future episodes and how she might impact the Doctor's adventures.