Doctor Who news: The Judoon are returning to meet the Thirteenth Doctor in Series 12!

After several years, the Judoon are finally returning to Doctor Who on television to meet the Thirteenth Doctor!

Well, I certainly wasn’t expecting that. Earlier today, the BBC made an announcement about Series 12. An old monster is returning, but perhaps one that none of us were expecting: the Judoon, the Rhino-like aliens first introduced in Tenth Doctor episode Smith and Jones back in 2007.

There had been some rumors and mentions of previous monsters returning. This isn’t actually surprising. Regardless of my thoughts on Series 11, it’s admirable that showrunner Chris Chibnall avoided relying on old monsters for his first series.

While I wasn’t too keen on many of the new creations from Jodie Whittaker’s first series as the Thirteenth Doctor, I can respect the risk taken, at least. And it makes sense why Chibnall would want to establish the new team first before bringing back some old monsters.

Still, I am glad to hear that, after bringing back the Daleks in Resolution, more enemies and aliens are being brought back for the next series. Especially when it’s something like the Judoon. While we’ve had cameo appearances from the creatures during the Moffat era – such as The Magician’s Apprentice and Face the Raven – they haven’t had a key appearance in Doctor Who since arguably The Stolen Earth in 2008. And even that was pretty small.

What will the Judoon make of the Thirteenth Doctor? And how far will they go in the pursuit of justice?

(Image credit: Doctor Who/BBC.

Image obtained from: BBC Press.)

A major return

But, from this description given in the official announcement, it sounds like they’re front and center once more:

"These ruthless enforcers are on a deadly mission: but what for? And why has it brought them to present-day Gloucester?"

Showrunner Chris Chibnall is also keen that these heavy-handed aliens are being brought back:

"More from Winter is ComingFor All Mankind finally gives us information in Episode 405, “Goldilocks”Watch a stunning VFX breakdown of The Wheel of Time season 2Of course Steve Toussaint (Corlys Velaryon) thinks Eve Best (Rhaenys Targaryen) should rule WesterosConfirmed: The Last of Us season 2 will air in 2025Final season of Star Trek: Discovery will have “a lot of action, a lot of adventure, a lot of fun”The Judoon are storming back into Doctor Who in full force, and the streets of Gloucester aren’t safe. If anyone has anything to hide, confess now. The Judoon are taking no prisoners, and will stop at nothing to fulfil their mission! The whole team on Doctor Who are delighted and scared in equal measure to welcome them back: one of many treats we’ve got in store for viewers next series."

It’s definitely exciting that, after so many years, they’re finally being brought back in a big way. The Judoon are an interesting monster to explore. Not exactly evil, but crude and violent in their pursuit of “justice”. So it’s great that they’re being focused on once more.

In some ways, it’s actually quite fitting for this announcement to be made now. Just last week, The Tenth Doctor Adventures: Volume 3 was released, featuring the story One Mile Down. Set during Series 4 and featuring the Tenth Doctor and Donna Noble, the Judoon are a key part of the story. It feels right that, just as they’ve recently returned on audio, they’re finally returning to television, too. I hope they’re given a really excellent story with the Thirteenth Doctor.

Are you excited about the return of the Judoon? Are they one of your favorite monsters? Do you think they should have been explored more often in past series? Let us know in the comments below.