Kate O'Mara on the Rani's Return

Actress Kate O'Mara, who played the villainous Rani in the '80s, has expressed interest in returning to the role.

I would love to come back. I have white hair now, but a lot of it, and I’m still very glamorous and so I won’t disappoint, I hope! I’ll still be wearing the tight leather trousers and high-heel boots, regardless of what age! That’s what the fans are expecting, so that’s what you’ve got to give them. I’m a much older woman and there’s a huge population of older people who, if they’re watching television, they can’t watch Hollyoaks. If you put a much older woman in Doctor Who, they can identify with it. I think it’s quite an interesting concept and if you remember things like Grimm’s Fairytales, the older woman is often the villainess, often the terrifying figure – why I do not know, but often she is. I think it’s an idea to be exploited.

It'd be interesting to see her return, especially considering that other classic villains who have returned (such as the Master and Davros) have been played by new actors. Moffat has already expressed disinterest in the Rani's return, but another writer may be more willing. I think if the Rani does return, it'd be likely that the casting directors would hire someone new for the role, so we should be aware of that possibility.