April 10, 2025
The enigmatic star of Season 1 shares some insight on her character’s return to Doctor Who…
The question of Mrs Flood’s identity in Season 1 of Doctor Who was a mystery that left fans wanting more. Luckily, as Anita Dobson is set to return in the upcoming season, we may be closer to some answers! We spoke to Anita about the buzz surrounding her character, and some of her personal highlights from joining the Whoniverse – read the full interview below.
Welcome back to the Whoniverse. How have you found the experience of playing the mysterious Mrs Flood so far?
I've absolutely loved it. When Russell asked me to come on board, he said I can have some fun with it, and that's exactly what I've done. It's been fantastic!
Have you met many fans since you've appeared in the series?
Yes, because I've gone along to a couple of Comic Cons where you do the signings, and so there's lots of Doctor Who fans there, and they're all lovely. I mean, it just seems as if, because the show's such fun to do, the fans are fun to be around. It's very good, yes.
The funny thing was, right at the beginning, when I did the first couple of Comic Cons, they would obviously keep saying, "Who is she? where did she come from?” And even I didn't know, so I could say with complete truth from us, “I haven't got a clue.”
Have you seen anyone dressed up as you?
Not as me, no. But my husband did walk in one day wearing a Mrs Flood t -shirt. And I said, "Where did you get that?" He said, "Somebody gave it to me.” And my godson also, he's found a couple of things like little beanie hats and odd little bits and pieces that people are customising to make their own, so it's quite lovely.
How was it getting back into Mrs Flood's shoes for Season 2?
Well, that was very exciting because a little way in, I'd had the script, so I knew what was happening. So, it was very exciting to come back and know that there's going to be some kind of climax, and it was good fun and the readthrough was really exciting as well.
What can we expect from this season, and do you have any highlights from filming?
I think from this season there's a couple of new characters coming in so that'll be quite exciting for the fans and just generally you watch it take a slightly different course to what you'd expect, which is what Russell is brilliant at. You think you've got it down and then suddenly he throws a curveball, and you think, “Oh! We’re going there now” and that's exciting. I tell you one thing though; I was absolutely blown away the first time I actually went on set and saw the TARDIS. I was amazed. It is stunning, I tell you, the sets are magnificent.
Will we see more of Mrs Flood this time around?
Well, she generally is the kind of character that pops in and out, bit like a little animal. She is just sort of there, maybe briefly but maybe not, and you don't know when she's going to appear or why? So, I think you will see a bit more of her popping in and out, but in different amounts if you like. As the course of the series goes on, she's around a little bit more.
Without giving too much away, will we discover more about Mrs Flood?
By the end of this season, you will know a lot more about her than you have up to now. That's all I can say about it, but yes, you'll know much more, and you'll get an inkling of what she possibly could be, though nothing is set in stone with Doctor Who. You will have a much more of an idea of what kind of creature or person she is.
If you could travel in the TARDIS to any time or place in the universe, where would you go and why?
Oh, that's a tough one, really. I do quite like being born in this particular century, but I think that's the joy of the TARDIS and Doctor Who, that he goes to different places. So, if I could go to different places, I'd like to go back to the Victorian times because I love the costumes and everything. I would just like to pop in and submerge myself in the culture and the clothes. I mean, I'm a terrible clothes queen. So, I'd love to go back and actually just look at the styles and the way people were, and the different attitudes to life that they had. Obviously back in the Victorian times, women didn't have the freedom that they're starting to have a bit more of now. So yeah, that would fascinate me. Different kind of eras for culture, clothing, music and just a way of life.
If you could describe Season 2, what would it be?
Exciting. It really took me by surprise and I think people won't be expecting it.
Doctor Who returns on Saturday 12th April on BBC iPlayer in the UK and Disney+ where available. Find out more here.
