Doctor Who showrunner Steven Moffat could be paving the way for the first female Doctor Who, after changing the sex of famous foe The Master.
In Saturday night's episode Dark Water, viewers saw the mysterious Missy (Michelle Gomez) reveal herself to be the evil Time Lord The Master, having regenerated as a woman.
Making the reveal to the Doctor (Peter Capaldi), she said: "Missy. Short for Mistress. Well I couldn't very well keep calling myself The Master."
Moffat had in the past allowed writer Neil Gaiman to add the fact to Doctor Who mythology that Time Lords could change sex during regeneration .
He also previously revealed that he has considering casting a female in the role, especially when searching for Matt Smith's replacement.
"It's absolutely narratively possible and when it's the right decision, maybe we'll do it. It didn't feel to me, right now, right. I didn't feel enough people wanted it. 'Oddly enough most people who said they were dead against it - and I know I'll get into trouble for saying this - were women. Saying, 'No, no, don't make him a woman!' Not that I was influenced by that. I'm influenced by nothing. Obviously." he said.
The decision to change The Master's sex has prompted mixed reactions from fans online.
On fan-site DoctorWhoTv.co.uk, user TheDoctornator wrote: "I mean no offence in anyway, I just think if they were going to bring back a female timelord, than they should have brought back the Rani, I am not trying to be sexist in anyway, but I think that in my opinion that would have been the better solution. (sic)"
Another user happier with the reveal was ElyotWren, who posted: "I wanted the Master to return some day as he was my favourite villain, being the Doctor's disturbed equal (I'm a sucker for crazy stuffs), and I was so glad when Missy revealed who she was. My grin could not have been wider, my face was hurting! (sic)"
Tagged in Neil Gaiman Steven Moffat Peter Capaldi