Doctor Who: Why the War Master has the most awesome theme tune ever

Does The War Master have the best theme tune for a spin-off in the Doctor Who universe? We certainly think so. Read more on what makes it so brilliant.

Have you listened to Missy’s own spin-off? I have, and very enjoyable it was, too. Hearing the evil Time Lady’s adventures away from Doctor Who is definitely a lot of fun.

However, there was one thing that, I must admit, slightly bothered me. And that was her own theme tune. Don’t get me wrong, it’s great, and captures her brilliantly bonkers personality very well.

But, I must admit, I was slightly disappointed that it wasn’t a variation on the War Master’s own theme. Partially because it would’ve been just a little bit nice if the Master had one overall theme tune that simply varied in style with each incarnation, as a nice little parallel to Doctor Who.

But mainly, it was because the War Master’s theme tune is awesome. Seriously, the first time I listened to his own series back in 2017, that amazing theme instantly leapt out for all the right reasons. Discover why for yourself below.

Classic influences

Isn’t that theme just brilliant? I’m certainly glad that Big Finish are letting more people hear it on their Soundcloud channel. It’s pretty much exactly what you’d want for the Master’s own theme tune.

There are a few reasons why it’s so perfect. The first is that it echoes the Doctor Who theme so well. Of course this is intentional, but at the same time, it’s also tricky to do. You want it to sound a little like the iconic theme, but not so much that it becomes just a copy.

Fortunately, composer Ioan Morris found exactly the right balance. And, as he revealed in Vortex – Big Finish’s free monthly magazine – he had some classical inspiration to help. Specifically, from Mars: The Bringer of War by Gustav Holst.

"Listening to Holst’s piece, I noticed a five-note phrase in the opening moments that neatly reflected the Doctor Who theme, and since Holst’s work is now public domain I was free to quote it.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 low staccato strings also mirrored the Master’s drum rhythm as established in the 2007 TV series of Doctor Who which [producer Scott Handcock] was keen to include, so it was just a matter of altering it to a 4/4 time signature. I then brought over some elements I’d used in the series trailer (snares, woodblock and piano clunks) to reinforce that rhythm."

The perfect theme?

An excellent balance between clear influences and originality. Major props need to be given for Morris, because a lot was achieved with his theme for The War Master. Not only did we get the first ever original theme tune for the Master ever. We were also given a great new spin-off theme that was instantly both exciting and sinister, which is exactly what the Master’s theme should be.

Now, don’t get me wrong, the theme tune for Missy is, I must admit, fantastic, and perfect for her character. But The War Master has to be my favorite. Not just out of the Master’s themes, but out of all the spin-offs out there. (Yes, that includes Torchwood, Gallifrey and Jago & Litefoot.) A fantastic piece of music that’s a perfect way of kicking off each episode of The War Master.

Have you listened to the theme tune for The War Master? (If not, what are you doing reading this? Scroll back up and listen to it now! In fact, listen to it again, even if you already have heard it!) Is it one of your favorite themes for a spin-off? If not, what is? Let us know in the comments below.