Doctor Who showrunner teases plot details for “Legend of the Sea Devils”

Alright fellow Whovians, we’re almost ready for the next episode of Jodie Whittaker’s finale Doctor Who trilogy. As most of us know by now, Whittaker is on her way out, but she’s doing it in the grandest way possible: over three episodes spread out across 2022.

The first of the three was the New Year’s Day special “Eve of the Daleks.” After a three-month hiatus, we’re getting “Legend of the Sea Devils” next. This one will borrow a monster not seen since the original run of the show decades ago.

I’m excited to see what this new episode will be like, and luckily, we have some new details courtesy of showrunner Chris Chibnall’s interview with Doctor Who Magazine.

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Chibnall shared that the episode will involve a pirate queen named Madam Ching. “In our story, Madam Ching is on a mission to track down the lost treasure of the Flor de la Mar, a ship that may have been washed up in the waters around the area where we start the story,” Chibnall said. “She unleashes a terrifying evil that the Doctor has to help everyone deal with.”

Co-writer Ella Road was the one that suggested they include the real-life historical figure Madam Ching (Crystal Yu), aka Zheng Yi Sao. “She features in lots of stories throughout history, but her actual character is quite slippery and hard to pin down,” Road said. “So I said, ‘What about her?’”

BBC’s official synopsis for the episode teases the madness to come, and I seriously cannot wait. Plus, maybe, just maybe, we’ll get some updates on the Yaz/Doctor romantic tension!

"This episode finds the Doctor (Jodie Whittaker), Yaz (Mandip Gill) and Dan (John Bishop) in 19th century China, where a small coastal village is under threat – from both the fearsome pirate queen Madame Ching (Crystal Yu) and a monstrous alien force which she unwittingly unleashes. Will the Doctor, Yaz and Dan emerge from this swashbuckling battle with the Sea Devils to save the planet?"

Between the promo, the interviews, and the new images from the upcoming Doctor Who special, I think it’s safe to say that Whittaker’s exit will be glorious, adventurous, and unlike anything we’ve seen before.

Mark your calendars, Whovians! “Legend of the Sea Devils” will premiere on April 17, 2022, on BBC One, BBC iPlayer, and BBC America!

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h/t Digital Spy, Radio Times