The world of Doctor Who is filled with iconic villains, but while Daleks, Cybermen, and the Master have repeatedly returned, some classic foes have remained in the shadows. One such character is The Meddling Monk—a rogue Time Lord who, unlike the Master, doesn’t seek domination but instead delights in altering history for his own amusement. With Doctor Who currently facing criticism for its overuse of familiar threats, now is the perfect time to reintroduce this mischievous antagonist.
Who is The Meddling Monk?
For a show that has long explored the dangers and wonders of time travel, Doctor Who has had surprisingly few rogue Time Lords outside of the Master. One of the most interesting early antagonists was The Meddling Monk, played by Peter Butterworth. Unlike the Master, who seeks power and domination, the Monk is a trickster—an opportunistic, self-serving Time Lord who tampers with history for his own amusement and personal gain.
The Monk made his debut in the 1965 serial The Time Meddler, facing off against William Hartnell’s First Doctor. In this story, the Doctor and his companions arrive in 11th-century England, only to discover that the Monk is attempting to alter history by ensuring King Harold wins the Battle of Hastings. His motivation? Sheer mischief and the belief that he could “improve” history. The Doctor ultimately foils his plan, sabotaging his TARDIS and stranding him in the past.
The character returned later that year in The Daleks’ Master Plan, where he sought revenge on the Doctor but was again outmaneuvered. This marked his final on-screen appearance, but his legacy endured. His lighthearted but cunning approach made him a unique contrast to other Time Lords introduced later.
Potential Ways to Bring the Monk Back
In my opinion, Doctor Who has become a bit too reliant on the Daleks, Cybermen, and the Master in recent years. Bringing back a classic character like the Monk could inject much-needed fresh energy into the series. The Monk is a villain who doesn’t crave universal destruction or conquest—he’s all about bending history to his own whims. This makes him unpredictable and fun, qualities that I think the show could really benefit from right now.
There are several intriguing ways the Monk could return:
A Modern “Time Meddler” Story – The Monk could once again be found tampering with a key moment in history, but with a more complex and morally ambiguous twist. Perhaps he helps a historical figure succeed where they originally failed, forcing the Doctor to grapple with whether stopping him is truly the right choice.
A Battle of Wits Across Time – The Monk could plant subtle changes across different time periods, forcing the Doctor into a game of temporal cat-and-mouse, where each small meddling act has massive consequences.
A Big Multiverse Twist – With the show recently delving into alternate realities, the Monk could appear as a catalyst for multiversal chaos. His meddling could result in fractured timelines, alternative Doctors, or even a reality where he has become the “hero” in the Doctor’s absence.
Big Finish Has Already Brought Him Back
The Monk has already proven to be a compelling recurring character in Doctor Who’s extended universe. Big Finish Productions successfully revived the character in their audio dramas, with multiple actors, including Graeme Garden and Rufus Hound, taking on the role. These stories have showcased how versatile the Monk can be—sometimes comedic, sometimes menacing, but always entertaining. Given how well he has worked in expanded media, his return to television seems long overdue.
Why Toby Jones Would Be Perfect for the Role
Casting the right actor is crucial, and few would fit the role as perfectly as Toby Jones. Known for his chilling performance as Culverton Smith in Sherlock, as well as roles in Captain America and The Detectorists, Jones has the perfect blend of charm, wit, and menace. He can be affable one moment, sinister the next, and always keep the audience guessing—exactly what the Monk needs.
Unlike the Master, who thrives on grand, universe-shattering schemes, the Monk is more subtle and mischievous. Toby Jones could bring the character to life with a mix of dry humor and quiet menace, making him a formidable yet entertaining foil for the Doctor.
Conclusion
With Doctor Who currently searching for fresh ideas, reviving The Meddling Monk would be a brilliant move. He’s a classic villain who has been absent from television for too long, yet remains beloved in the expanded universe. His return would allow for new, creative storytelling that avoids the overuse of the show’s usual villains. And with an actor like Toby Jones in the role, the Monk could become one of the most compelling antagonists the modern series has seen.
It’s time for the Monk to meddle once more.
Maybe the Monk caused the time fracture from the Robot Revolution? Which caused reality to be out of whack and for people in the Doctor Who universe not to know what humans are.
Interesting theory.