Doctor Who Series 11 Finale: The Battle of Ranskoor Av Kolos

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The tenth and final episode of Doctor Who Series 11 is titled The Battle of Ranskoor Av Kolos.

On the planet of Ranskoor Av Kolos, lies the remains of a brutal battlefield.  But as the Doctor, Graham, Yaz and Ryan answer nine separate distress calls, they discover the planet holds far more secrets. Who is the mysterious commander with no memory? What lies beyond the mists? Who or what are the Ux?

The answers will lead the Doctor and her friends towards a deadly reckoning.

Guest starring Phyllis Logan, Mark Addy and Percelle Ascott. Written by Chris Chibnall. Directed by Jamie Childs.

The Radio Times listing:

The Doctor and her companions receive nine separate distress calls, all originating from the mysterious planet of Ranskoor Av Kolos, which turns out to have been the site of a terrible battle. As further secrets are uncovered and strange forces gather in the mists, the only clue to what has happened on this world is a commander who has no memory.

The guest cast list:

Mark Addy: Paltraki
Phyllis Logan: Andinio 
Percelle Ascott: Delph
Jan Le: Umsang

Some quotes from writer Chris Chibnall about The Battle of Ranskoor Av Kolos in Doctor Who Magazine:

“The inner steel and toughness of Jodie’s Doctor is on display a bit more in The Battle of Ranskoor Av Kolos. You want to challenge the Doctor in every episode but particularly in a finale. Whoever you are, don’t mess with her.”

“The Doctor’s friends are going to be tested in episode ten: we’re going to see how far they’ve come, how much they’ve learned and whether they’re going to make mistakes at a crucial moment.”

“It’s going to be emotional.”

Phyllis Logan as Andinio in The Battle of Ranskoor Av Kolos, BBC
Mark Addy as Paltraki in The Battle of Ranskoor Av Kolos, BBC

Mark Addy as Paltraki, BBC Doctor Who guest star trailer

Some scenes from The Battle of Ranskoor Av Kolos were glimpsed in the two Series 11 trailers.

A still from the BBC Doctor Who Series 11 trailer
A still from the BBC Doctor Who Series 11 trailer
A still from the BBC Doctor Who Series 11 trailer
The Battle of Ranskoor Av Kolos, BBC

The episode involves some technology attached to the side of many of the character’s faces.

The Battle of Ranskoor Av Kolos, BBC
The Battle of Ranskoor Av Kolos, BBC
The Battle of Ranskoor Av Kolos, BBC
Ryan, Yaz, The Battle of Ranskoor Av Kolos. Ben Blackall portfolio, BBC

Mark Addy, Jan Le and the regular cast were also spotted in production stills accidentally posted online. All four of the regular cast sport leather satchels with shoulder straps and, with the exception of the Doctor, are carrying rectangular pieces of electronic equipment slightly larger than a mobile phone. The scene seems to have been filmed in a gravelly quarry. What looks like a wrecked jet engines appear in the foreground on the left in one of the photos.

Jan Le appeared in Ben Blackall’s portfolio dressed as a hostage. Several extras were hired to play hostages for this episode.

A good deal of the filming took place in Trefil quarry in Wales.

The Battle of Ranskoor Av Kolos airs on Sunday, December 9, 6:25 p.m. on BBC One and 8:00 p.m. on BBC America.