Doctor Who will return for its next season in 2025 with Ncuti Gatwa ready to tell more stories as the Time Lord. Throughout his first season in the role, the former Sex Education star had to battle some brilliant new villains, from goblins to the Bogeyman, but there wasn’t a Dalek in sight.
The Daleks are the most iconic villain within this franchise, and there hasn’t been a tease in sight for the mutants that have battled the Time Lord throughout the decades. Even though they have been involved in countless iconic Doctor Who moments, season 15 should once again avoid bringing them back.
The Daleks And Doctor Who: A Brief History
There are no villains in Doctor Who’s past with the detailed history and connection that the Daleks have, which is why they’re so popular with audiences. People always enjoy seeing them and hearing their iconic “Exterminate” catchphrase, as they’ve been seen as the most deadly threat that the Doctor has had to deal with, especially since they consistently turn up.
They first appeared on the show in 1963, when it was revealed that both the Daleks and the Thals had been mutated as they battled each other. The Doctor played a role in making that happen, convincing the Thals to fight against them, which almost wiped out the Daleks. From that point, they have been mortal enemies. The Doctor believed he’d wiped out the Daleks during that moment, and since then, he has continued to try and do so, which even saw the tenth Doctor suck the Daleks into a void, but they continue to return no matter how much he fights against them.
The Daleks have consistently become more powerful and have tweaks to ensure they keep the Doctor thinking, which is why their battles are always so epic. They were last season in season 13 when Jodie Whittaker was the Doctor and have played no part in Gatwa’s story at this point.
Why Now Isn’t The Time For The Daleks
The last season of Doctor Who did a great job building to the finale, with an overarching storyline that was filled with mystery, threat, and drama. That all played out entertainingly to bring the season to a positive conclusion, but there were still many unanswered questions at the end.
They have provided a hook for the upcoming Christmas Day special and the following season, many of which revolve around the show’s villains. The identity of Mrs. Flood is a big one, as audiences want to understand who she is and what information she is continuing to tease. There are also other Pantheon Gods that the Doctor could end up fighting against, a category the Daleks don’t fall into.
A villain is pulling the strings at the moment in Doctor Who, and the big question mark for fans is who that is and why they’re doing it. The clues don’t seem to hint at the Daleks, which is why it’s best that they’re not shoehorned into this season just because they are guaranteed to get people interested due to how iconic they are.
Audiences Want New Characters
One of the most exciting aspects of Doctor Who is the creativity and the fact that there is always room for new characters to be brought in. From different actors taking on the role of the Doctor himself to the various sidekicks who travel the universe with him, there’s always something new for fans to enjoy.
The villains are the greatest example of that, as each episode typically features a brand new enemy for the Time Lord to overcome. Of course, many villains have repeatedly returned from the Cybermen to the Weeping Angels, and having those recurring characters can create a more detailed story as audiences grow a connection and understanding of them.
However, that doesn’t mean the classic villains need to be rushed out all the time. That’s especially true when there is a new actor in the role of the Doctor, which remains the case for season 15. Even though Gatwa has been in control of the Tardis for one season now, he’s still fresh in the role, and it would be more beneficial to continue building his character and the connections he has with others.
The Daleks are seen as the ultimate enemy of the Doctor. Therefore, building up to that is beneficial so the stakes are at their highest when that battle occurs. That means that the Doctor’s relationships should be built up and feel important so that audiences will feel the weight of the damage the Daleks can provide. Right now, that’s impossible, so it’s important not to bring the characters back for the newest season of Doctor Who.
