Doctor Who: The Creative Battle That Almost Was
Discover the creative battle between companion Ruby Sunday and the Goblin King that almost made it to the Doctor Who seasonal special.
The Almost Featured Creative Battle
Doctor Who showrunner Russell T Davies reveals the recent seasonal special almost featured a creative battle between companion Ruby Sunday and the Goblin King itself. Actor Millie Gibson joined the series as Ruby in the 2023 special, where the foundling in search of her parents crosses paths with Ncuti Gatwa's Fifteenth Doctor during a battle with the goblins. Gibson is set to return in both Doctor Who season 14, which debuts in May, and the already-confirmed season 15, which will air in 2025.
Millie Gibson and Ncuti Gatwa talking in Ruby's house with Michelle Greenidge in the background in the Doctor Who seasonal special
However, Davies revealed during Doctor Who: Video Commentaries that one moment focused on the companion didn't make the final episode. The showrunner revealed that before the Doctor visited the moment of Ruby's abandonment, the Goblin King originally attacked the Sundays' flat, leading to Ruby creatively facing off against the beast by using their probability powers against them. The episode's budget wouldn't allow for this battle. Check out Davies' explanation below:
The Cut Attack and Its Impact
Russell T Davies explained that the Goblin King's attack on the Sundays' flat was cut from 'The Church on Ruby Road' despite Doctor Who receiving a bigger budget from Disney. The puppet for the Goblin King is a hefty piece of practical effects that requires five people to operate, with the creature's full form not even being seen throughout the episode. While Ruby's creative scratch card attacks perfectly played with the Goblin's own powers, making the King himself lead a siege could have proved too much trouble to bring to life.
Furthermore, it could be argued that the episode's final scene was more effective. Ahead of Ruby's disappearance due to Goblin interference in her origins, the sequence in the flat allows the episode to slow down and provide further characterization to not only Ruby and her family, but the Doctor himself. Ruby's tale gives Gatwa's Doctor the opportunity to relate to her experience, while unpacking the personal trauma the Timeless Child revelations left on him in Doctor Who season 12. As such, a sudden action sequence could have detracted from a moment that allowed the characters to explore their arcs.
The Impact and Future
From Davies' description, the Goblin King's siege of the Sundays' flat would have been a chaotic, but creative sequence in the vein of the Christmas Tree attack from 'The Christmas Invasion.' While budgetary reasons may have prevented the moment from being brought to life, it can be argued that the episode was still an effective introduction to the companion without it. Furthermore, with the Doctor Who season 14 trailer teasing plenty of action for the Doctor and Ruby, it is clear the companion will have plenty of opportunities to face off against terrifying foes when the series returns in 2024.
Doctor Who: The Church on Ruby Road is currently available on Disney+ for international audiences, and BBC iPlayer for UK viewers, while season 14 is expected to air in May 2024.
