'Doctor Who' Series 12 Episode 4: Queen Skithra looks eerily similar to Racnoss but we are yet to find out why

The episode's main villain looks almost exactly like an old favorite from the time of the Tenth Doctor
Anjli Mohindra (L) as Queen Skithra and Sarah Parish (R) as Empress of the Racnoss (BBC America)
Anjli Mohindra (L) as Queen Skithra and Sarah Parish (R) as Empress of the Racnoss (BBC America)

This article contains spoilers for 'Doctor Who' Series 12 Episode 4 'Nikola Tesla's Night of Terror'.

'Doctor Who' has had a number of terrifying villains and monsters in its long and colorful history. So it'is understandable that some designs might repeat themselves. However, it looks like the production crew may have gotten extremely creative with old costumes and props in Series 12 Episode 4 'Nikola Tesla's Night of Terror' as the episode's main villain looks almost exactly like an old favorite from the time of the Tenth Doctor (David Tennant).

In yet another "Celebrity Historical", the Thirteenth Doctor (Jodie Whittaker) and her companions, Graham O'Brien (Bradley Walsh), Yasmin Khan (Mandip Gill) and Ryan Sinclair (Tosin Cole), meet the brilliant inventor Nikola Tesla (played by Goran Višnjić) and his rival Thomas Edison (Robert Glenister). Unfortunately, Tesla is being hunted for his genius by a race of kleptomaniac alien scorpions, a fact that absolutely peeves Edison.

The Skithra (the alien scorpions) are revealed to be universal scavengers, stealing technology from the races they encounter (including the Silurians, apparently) instead of building anything of their own. That's all well and good but there's still a question that's bugging us (pun intended): Why does the Queen Skithra look so much like the Empress of the Racnoss?

For those who don't remember, the Empress of the Racnoss was the main villain in the 2006 Christmas special 'The Runaway Bride'. Her design seems to have been replicated with a few modifications to create the Queen Skithra (played by 'The Sarah Jane Adventures' star Anjli Mohindra) but there's no explanation given for the connection.

Perhaps the crew just ran out of money for new costumes or perhaps the Skithra and the spider-like Racnoss are related, though the Doctor doesn't offer any insight into the origin of the species. 

'Doctor Who' Series 12 Episode 5 'Fugitive of the Judoon' will air on BBC America on January 26.

GET THE BIGGEST ENTERTAINMENT STORIES
STRAIGHT TO YOUR INBOX.

MORE STORIES

The animated DC Comics series is famous for its grounded and noir-inspired treatment of Gotham City, and it just unveiled it's release date.
7 hours ago
'Dark Winds' stars Zahn McClarnon and Kiowa Gordon in the leading roles and is based on the Tony Hillerman book series.
8 hours ago
The three-part drama series is based on Alex Hanscombe's memoir 'Letting Go' and is also the subject of a Netflix documentary.
10 hours ago
Torres was locked in a standoff with Timothy McGee's secret child Mateo in the season 23 finale episode 'Sons & Daughters.'
11 hours ago
Shawn Hatosy addresses speculations regarding his character's exit from HBO media drama 'The Pitt'
13 hours ago
The spinoff has been in development since the show's end in 2023, and was picked up to a series order November last year.
13 hours ago
Angus Cloud unexpectedly appeared in the 'Euphoria' Season 3 finale alongside Rue
16 hours ago
Episode 8 focuses on Tom's assistant, Patricia, whose worst fears come true with the return of the Boogeyman
17 hours ago
Ahead of the psychological thriller’s release, the buzz is whether the show is connected to Martin Scorsese’s iconic 90s film of the same name.
18 hours ago
AMC's 'The Audacity' stars Billy Magnussen, Sarah Goldberg, Simon Helberg, and more in prominent roles
18 hours ago