View source for Sontaran

{{Short description|Alien species from the television show Doctor Who}}
{{good article}}
{{Use British English|date=November 2012}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2021}}
{{Infobox fictional race
| name               = Sontarans
| image              = 280808-054 CPS (3998769136).jpg
| image_size         = 275px
| caption            = The 2008 redesign of the Sontarans, as displayed at the ''Doctor Who'' Experience in 2008.
| series             = [[Doctor Who]]
| home_world         = Sontar
| first              = ''[[The Time Warrior]]'' (1973)
| creator            = [[Robert Holmes (screenwriter)|Robert Holmes]]
}}

The '''Sontarans''' ({{IPAc-en|s|ɒ|n|'|t|ɑːr|ən}} {{respell|son|TAR|ən}}) are an alien species that appear in the British [[Science fiction on television|science fiction television]] programme ''[[Doctor Who]]'' and its spin-off series ''[[The Sarah Jane Adventures]]''. In-universe, they are a [[Cloning|clone]] race bred to fight a never-ending war against a species known as the [[Rutans]]. They first appeared in the 1973 serial [[The Time Warrior|''The Time Warrior'']], where a Sontaran uses [[Time travel|time travel]] technology to try and return to his home planet. The Sontarans have gone on to be recurring antagonists within the series. A Sontaran named [[Strax (Doctor Who)|Strax]] serves as a supporting character and as a member of the [[Paternoster Gang]]. 

The Sontarans were created by writer [[Robert Holmes (scriptwriter)|Robert Holmes]], who conceived of the Sontarans after reading the 1832 war treatise [[On War|''On War'']]. He was also inspired by the history of the  [[Vietnam War]]. The Sontarans' design would change throughout the years, with different Sontarans being portrayed by a variety of different actors. 

Some critics found the Sontarans to be among the more successful and popular alien species on the show, while others thought they were under-used or taken less seriously in the series.

== Appearances ==
''[[Doctor Who]]'' is a long-running British [[Science fiction on television|science-fiction television]] series that began in 1963. It stars its protagonist, [[The Doctor]], an alien who travels through time and space in a ship known as the [[TARDIS]], as well as their travelling [[Companion (Doctor Who)|companions]].<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Nicol |first=Danny |date=1 May 2020 |title=''Doctor Who'', Family and National Identity |journal=Entertainment & Sports Law Journal |volume=18 |issue=4 |pages=1–11 |doi=10.16997/eslj.255 |via=[[EBSCO Information Services|EBSCO]]|doi-access=free }}</ref> When the Doctor dies, they are able to undergo a process known as "[[Regeneration (Doctor Who)|regeneration]]", completely changing the Doctor's appearance and personality.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Grady |first=Constance |date=2023-12-13 |title=''Doctor Who''{{’}}s big twist betrayed the show's oldest rule |url=https://www.vox.com/culture/24000340/doctor-who-the-giggle-david-tennant-russell-t-davies |access-date=2025-05-21 |website=[[Vox media|Vox]] |language=en-US |archive-date=29 February 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240229131412/https://www.vox.com/culture/24000340/doctor-who-the-giggle-david-tennant-russell-t-davies |url-status=live }}</ref> Throughout their travels, the Doctor often comes into conflict with various [[List of Doctor Who universe creatures and aliens|alien species]] and antagonists.<ref name=":422">{{Cite book |last=Cardin |first=Matt |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=PKnIEAAAQBAJ&dq=%22Sutekh%22+doctor+who+-wikipedia&pg=PT12 |title=Mummies around the World: An Encyclopedia of Mummies in History, Religion, and Popular Culture |date=2014-11-17 |publisher=[[Bloomsbury Publishing USA]] |isbn=979-8-216-12019-3 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Wells |first=Bobby |date=2022-01-24 |title=''Doctor Who'' Villains, Ranked |url=https://www.space.com/doctor-who-villains-ranked-worst-to-best |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250617143728/https://www.space.com/doctor-who-villains-ranked-worst-to-best |archive-date=2025-06-17 |access-date=2025-05-21 |website=[[Space.com|Space]] |language=en}}</ref>

The Sontarans are a [[Cloning|clone]] race that hail from the planet Sontar, and are bred for war from birth. They are engaged in a constant, never-ending war against a species known as the [[Rutans]]. They have a culture dedicated almost solely to war, where dying in battle is the ultimate honor among their race, as is entering a battle without a protective helmet. They also have a [[war chant]] consisting of the phrase "Sontar-ha!"<ref name="Sleight2">{{Cite book |last=Sleight |first=Graham |author-link=Graham Sleight |url= |title=The Doctor's Monsters: Meanings of the Monstrous in Doctor Who |date=30 October 2012 |publisher=I B Tauris |isbn=978-1848851788 |pages=61-68}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite book |last1=Scott |first1=Cavan |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Okr1_6pV6cQC&dq=%22Sontaran%22+-wikipedia&pg=PT176 |title=Doctor Who: Who-ology |last2=Wright |first2=Mark |date=2013-06-07 |publisher=Random House |isbn=978-1-4481-4125-8 |language=en}}</ref> Sontarans only have a single weak point: a "probic vent" on the back of their neck, through which they receive energy. A single hit here can result in heavy damage. Sontarans are physically shorter than humans due to their homeworld planet having high gravity.<ref name="Sleight2" /> Sontarans are capable of genetically modifying themselves, even allowing them to produce [[breast milk]]. Sontarans only have one gender<ref name=":12">{{Cite book |last=Parsons |first=Paul |title=The Science of Doctor Who |publisher=Icon Books |year=2006 |isbn=978-1840467376}}</ref> and are also sexist against women by nature, associating womanhood with weakness.<ref name=":0" />

=== Television ===
{{For|information about the recurring Sontaran character Strax|Paternoster Gang}}
The Sontarans first appear in the 1973 serial [[The Time Warrior|''The Time Warrior'']], where a Sontaran named Linx crash lands on Earth in the past and attempts to use [[time travel]] technology to fix his ship and return to combat. A Sontaran named Styre appears in the 1975 serial [[The Sontaran Experiment|''The Sontaran Experiment'']], where in the far future he seeks to test the strength of humans left to survive on an Earth ravaged by solar flares. The [[Fourth Doctor]] kills Styre and stops a further Sontaran invasion. The Sontarans then appear in the 1978 serial [[The Invasion of Time|''The Invasion of Time'']], where the Sontarans, under commander Stor, lead an invasion of [[Gallifrey]], the Doctor's home planet; they are defeated by the Doctor. They next appear in the 1985 serial [[The Two Doctors|''The Two Doctors'']], where a pair of Sontarans named Stike and Varl plan to obtain more powerful time travel technology from human scientists, but end up being killed by their allies, the Androgums.<ref name="Sleight2" /> 

In the show's 2005 revival, the Sontarans appear in the two-part story "[[The Sontaran Stratagem]]" and "[[The Poison Sky]]" (both 2008). They try to [[Terraforming|terraform]] Earth into a new cloning planet, but the [[Tenth Doctor]] destroys their ship, halting the invasion. The Sontarans make subsequent cameos in the episodes "[[The End of Time (Doctor Who)|The End of Time]]" (2009–2010), "[[The Pandorica Opens]]" (2010),<ref name="Sleight2" /> and "[[Face the Raven]]" (2015).<ref>{{Cite web |title=BBC One – Doctor Who (2005–2022), Series 9, Face the Raven – Face the Raven: The Fact File |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/39WJPdfdy1wTqTq8W2sflRP/face-the-raven-the-fact-file |access-date=2025-09-13 |website=BBC |language=en-GB |archive-date=26 August 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250826210429/https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/39WJPdfdy1wTqTq8W2sflRP/face-the-raven-the-fact-file |url-status=live }}</ref> They later appear as antagonists in [[Doctor Who: Flux|''Doctor Who: Flux'']], the 2021 series of the revival, first appearing in "[[The Halloween Apocalypse]]" (2021).<ref>{{Cite news |last=Belam |first=Martin |date=2021-10-31 |title=Doctor Who recap: Flux chapter one – the Halloween Apocalypse |url=https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2021/oct/31/doctor-who-recap-flux-chapter-one-the-halloween-apocalypse |access-date=2025-09-13 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}</ref> As part of a scheme to conquer Earth from all points in time in "[[War of the Sontarans]]" (2021), they change the timeline of the [[Crimean War]], but are defeated by the [[Thirteenth Doctor]] and her allies.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Allcock |first=Chris |date=2021-11-07 |title=Doctor Who: Flux Episode 2 Review – War of the Sontarans |url=https://www.denofgeek.com/tv/doctor-who-flux-episode-2-review-war-of-the-sontarans/ |access-date=2025-09-13 |website=Den of Geek |language=en-US |archive-date=8 December 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241208011552/https://www.denofgeek.com/tv/doctor-who-flux-episode-2-review-war-of-the-sontarans/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The Sontarans later invade Earth again during "[[The Vanquishers]]" (2021),<ref>{{Cite web |title=DOCTOR WHO: FLUX – THE VANQUISHERS |url=https://www.starburstmagazine.com/reviews/doctor-flux-vanquishers/ |access-date=2025-09-13 |website=STARBURST Magazine |language=en-GB |archive-date=2 September 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250902143010/https://www.starburstmagazine.com/reviews/doctor-flux-vanquishers/ |url-status=live }}</ref> where they use humans to pinpoint the location of the flux, a destructive [[Antimatter|anti-matter]] wave. The Sontarans aim to use the flux to wipe out the [[Dalek|Daleks]] and [[Cyberman|Cybermen]] but end up being destroyed by it and the Doctor.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bui |first=Hoai-Tran |date=2021-12-06 |title=Doctor Who: Flux Flubs The Finale In The Supremely Unsatisfying The Vanquishers |url=https://www.slashfilm.com/678853/doctor-who-flux-flubs-the-finale-in-the-supremely-unsatisfying-the-vanquishers/ |access-date=2025-09-13 |website=SlashFilm |language=en-US |archive-date=9 September 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250909140633/https://www.slashfilm.com/678853/doctor-who-flux-flubs-the-finale-in-the-supremely-unsatisfying-the-vanquishers/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

A former Sontaran commander named Kaagh, a survivor of the invasion of Earth from "The Sontaran Stratagem" and "The Poison Sky",  appears in [[The Sarah Jane Adventures|''The Sarah Jane Adventures'']] serials [[The Last Sontaran|''The Last Sontaran'']] and [[Enemy of the Bane|''Enemy of the Bane'']]. In the former serial, he tries to return to Sontar, but later ends up allying with antagonist Mrs. Wormwood to conquer the universe in the latter serial. Kaagh later sacrifices himself after he realises Wormwood will betray him.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2008-09-28 |title=Preview: Sontaran return in 'Sarah Jane' |url=https://www.digitalspy.com/tv/cult/a131081/preview-sontaran-return-in-sarah-jane/ |access-date=2025-05-08 |website=Digital Spy |language=en-GB |archive-date=19 September 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250919182420/https://www.digitalspy.com/tv/cult/a131081/preview-sontaran-return-in-sarah-jane/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name=":22" /> Another Sontaran named [[Strax (Doctor Who)|Strax]] appears as a supporting character in the main television series. Debuting in the 2011 episode "[[A Good Man Goes to War]]", Strax was punished for cowardice by his people, who forced him to serve as a nurse.<ref name="Sleight2" /> Strax would later join the [[Silurian (Doctor Who)|Silurian]] [[Madam Vastra|Madame Vastra]] and human [[Jenny Flint]] as part of the [[Paternoster Gang]], serving in a comedic role as their butler.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=Comments |first=Adi Tantimedh {{!}} |date=2021-11-07 |title=Doctor Who: BBC Sontarans Comp Video Incomplete & A Bit Too Modern |url=https://bleedingcool.com/tv/doctor-who-bbc-sontarans-comp-video-incomplete-a-bit-too-modern/ |access-date=2025-07-15 |website=bleedingcool.com |language=en}}</ref> Strax subsequently appears in "[[The Snowmen]]" (2012),<ref>{{Cite web |last=Mulkern |first=Patrick |title=Doctor Who: The Snowmen ★★★★ {{!}} Radio Times |url=https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/sci-fi/doctor-who-guide/the-snowmen/ |access-date=2025-09-13 |website=www.radiotimes.com |language=en-GB |archive-date=13 June 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250613093321/https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/sci-fi/doctor-who-guide/the-snowmen/ |url-status=live }}</ref> "[[The Crimson Horror]]" (2013),<ref>{{Cite web |last=Mulkern |first=Patrick |title=Doctor Who: The Crimson Horror ★★★★★ {{!}} Radio Times |url=https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/sci-fi/doctor-who-guide/the-crimson-horror/ |access-date=2025-09-13 |website=www.radiotimes.com |language=en-GB |archive-date=6 March 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210306092354/https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/sci-fi/doctor-who-guide/the-crimson-horror/ |url-status=live }}</ref> "[[The Name of the Doctor]]" (2013),<ref>{{Cite web |last=Cooper |first=Steven |date=2013-05-20 |title=Doctor Who Recap: Season 7, Episode 14, "The Name of the Doctor" |url=https://www.slantmagazine.com/tv/doctor-who-season-7-episode-14-the-name-of-the-doctor/ |access-date=2025-09-13 |website=Slant Magazine |language=en-US}}</ref> and "[[Deep Breath (Doctor Who)|Deep Breath]]" (2014).<ref>{{Cite web |last=Cooper |first=Steven |date=2014-08-25 |title=Doctor Who Recap: Season 8, Episode 1, "Deep Breath" |url=https://www.slantmagazine.com/tv/doctor-who-recap-season-8-episode-1-deep-breath/ |access-date=2025-09-13 |website=Slant Magazine |language=en-US}}</ref>

=== Spin-off media ===
The Sontarans appear in several media spin-offs for the series, including novels, comics, audio dramas, and video games. The Sontarans also appear in the [[Doctor Who spin-offs|spin-off]] films ''[[Mindgame (Doctor Who)|Mindgame]]'' and ''[[Shakedown: Return of the Sontarans]].''<ref>{{Cite book |last=Valdron |first=D. G. |url=https://www.google.com/books/edition/Another_Pirate_s_History_of_Doctor_Who/L-uCEAAAQBAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=%22Mindgame%22+++%22Sontaran%22+-wikipedia&pg=PT169&printsec=frontcover |title=Another Pirate's History of Doctor Who |date=1900 |publisher=Fossil Cove Press |isbn=978-1-990860-27-0 |language=en}}</ref>

== Development ==

=== Classic era ===
{{Multiple image
| direction         = vertical
| footer            = The Sontarans as they appeared in ''The Time Warrior'' and ''The Two Doctors'', respectively, on display at the [[Doctor Who Experience|''Doctor Who'' Experience]]
| total_width       = 150
| image1            = 270811-060 CPS (6276822967) (cropped).jpg
| image2            = 270811-059 CPS (6277344008).jpg
}}
The Sontarans were originally created for the 1973 serial [[The Time Warrior|''The Time Warrior'']] by writer [[Robert Holmes (scriptwriter)|Robert Holmes]]. Holmes conceived of the Sontarans after reading the 1832 war treatise [[On War|''On War'']], and was additionally inspired by the history of the [[Vietnam War]]. In the script, the Sontaran is described as being "squat", wearing armour resembling that of a medieval knight.<ref name=":3265">{{Cite book |last=Ainsworth |first=John |title=Doctor Who: The Complete History: Planet of the Daleks – The Green Death – The Time Warrior |date=6 April 2016 |publisher=Hachette Partworks, Panini Publishing}}</ref> The Sontarans' physical appearance in the serial was created by costume designer [[James Acheson]] and make-up designer Sandra Exelby.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |last=Fullerton |first=Huw |title=Sontaran new design revealed for Doctor Who series 13 {{!}} Radio Times |url=https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/sci-fi/doctor-who-sci-fi-sontaran-design/ |access-date=2025-09-13 |website=www.radiotimes.com |language=en-GB |archive-date=16 November 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211116100501/https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/sci-fi/doctor-who-sci-fi-sontaran-design/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Linx, the Sontaran in this serial, was portrayed by actor [[Kevin Lindsay]]. Lindsay wore a prosthetic mask, make-up, and occasionally a helmet, which was a challenge during filming due to his heart condition.<ref name=":3265" /> 

Holmes wished to re-use the Sontarans in the [[Doctor Who season 12|1974–1975 season]].<ref name=":4">{{Cite web |last=Mulkern |first=Patrick |title=The Sontaran Experiment ★★★★ {{!}} Radio Times |url=https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/sci-fi/doctor-who-guide/the-sontaran-experiment/ |access-date=2025-09-13 |website=www.radiotimes.com |language=en-GB |archive-date=11 July 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240711023821/https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/sci-fi/doctor-who-guide/the-sontaran-experiment/ |url-status=live }}</ref> This would allow him to collect a fee and make it possible for the production team to make use of Linx's costume again. Holmes briefed the serial's writers, [[Bob Baker (scriptwriter)|Bob Baker]] and [[Dave Martin (screenwriter)|Dave Martin]] on the Sontarans' lore and history to ensure an accurate depiction in the serial  (dubbed [[The Sontaran Experiment|''The Sontaran Experiment'']]). Holmes re-wrote dialogue in the final script to fit his vision for the species.  Styre, the Sontaran in the serial, was modeled on [[Nazism|Nazi]] generals in terms of his behavior and actions.<ref name=":32652" />

Although the production team had hoped to re-use the Linx costume and prosthetic mask, the mask was in poor condition, requiring a new one to be made.<ref name=":32652">{{Cite book |last=Ainsworth |first=John |title=Doctor Who: The Complete History: Robot – The Ark in Space – The Sontaran Experiment |date=18 November 2015 |publisher=Hachette Partworks, Panini Publishing}}</ref> The new head of the Sontaran was much larger, with a different skin tone compared to the Sontarans' prior appearance.<ref name=":5">{{Cite web |first=Fraser |last=McAlpine |title='Doctor Who': The Evolution of the Sontarans {{!}} Anglophenia {{!}} BBC America |url=https://www.bbcamerica.com/blogs/doctor-who-the-evolution-of-the-sontarans--1043694 |access-date=2025-05-08 |website=www.bbcamerica.com |language=en |archive-date=8 May 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250508123347/https://www.bbcamerica.com/blogs/doctor-who-the-evolution-of-the-sontarans--1043694 |url-status=live }}</ref> Despite his heart condition, Lindsay returned for the serial to portray Styre, the Sontaran commander.<ref name=":4" /> To alleviate the strain Lindsay experienced in the previous serial, he wore less intensive makeup and prosthetics<ref>{{Cite web |title=BBC – The Fourth Dimension |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/2NlLmmFHg8H6ZfRmZJGdPh6/the-fourth-dimension |access-date=2025-09-13 |website=BBC |language=en-GB}}</ref> and only wore the Sontaran helmet for a single scene. Lindsay also portrayed the Sontaran Marshal with whom Styre communicates in the serial, characterised by an insignia on the costume's collar. Stuntman [[Stuart Fell]] filled in for Lindsay in several intensive scenes.<ref name=":32652" />

The 1978 serial [[The Invasion of Time|''The'' ''Invasion of Time'']] had a troubled production, and its original antagonists, a race of cat people, could not be used as adversaries due to complications during development. Producer [[Graham Williams (television producer)|Graham Williams]] decided that since no returning antagonists had been used in the [[Doctor Who season 16|1978 season]] at that point, the Sontarans could be used, as Williams was fond of them. Holmes agreed to let the production team use the Sontarans, knowing they were in a tough spot in production, but was uncomfortable about other writers using the character. Since Lindsay had died in 1975, the role of Sontaran commander Stor was portrayed by actor [[Derek Deadman]]. New costumes were created for the serial,<ref name=":43">{{Cite book |last=Ainsworth |first=John |title=Doctor Who: The Complete History: Underworld – The Invasion of Time – The Ribos Operation |date=23 August 2017 |publisher=[[Hachette Partworks]], [[Panini Publishing]] |issn=2057-6048}}</ref> with the Sontarans having another change in skin-tone and dark rims placed around Styre's eyes to show that he was stressed by his leadership role as commander.<ref name=":5" /> 

For the 1985 season of the show, producer [[John Nathan-Turner]] wanted the Sontarans to return. Though several Sontaran serials had been pitched before this time, this serial was the only one that was produced. Holmes had recently returned to writing for the series, but he disliked bringing back returning monsters. He was convinced to write the serial as it would allow him to make up for what he saw as the mishandling of the Sontarans in their prior two appearances. New masks and costumes were developed, with the masks custom-made for the two Sontarans, Stike and Varl. The masks and costumes were based on those used in previous Sontaran appearances. Actors [[Clinton Greyn]] and Tim Raynham portrayed Stike and Varl, respectively. This version of the Sontarans was much taller than in previous appearances. As part of the publicity for the serial, a special segment featuring the Sontarans, titled [[A Fix With Sontarans|''A Fix With Sontarans'']], aired on the show [[Jim'll Fix It|''Jim'll Fix It'']].<ref name=":432">{{Cite book |last=Ainsworth |first=John |title=Doctor Who: The Complete History: The Mark of the Rani – The Two Doctors – Timelash – Revelation of the Daleks |date=5 September 2018 |publisher=[[Hachette Partworks]], [[Panini Publishing]] |issn=2057-6048}}</ref>  

=== Revived era ===
[[File:Doctor Who Experience (14896861698).jpg|thumb|A Sontaran as it appears with its 2008 design, on display at the ''Doctor Who'' Experience]]
For the show's 2005 revival, showrunner [[Russell T Davies]] had wanted to bring back the Sontarans for some time, eventually electing to bring them back in the 2008 two-part story "[[The Sontaran Stratagem]]" and "[[The Poison Sky]]". Davies believed the Sontarans' culture and personality had more potential for strong dialogue than other returning antagonists such as the [[Dalek|Daleks]] and [[Cyberman|Cybermen]], and also felt they would be easy for children to draw, as well as visually striking. This version of the Sontarans was designed by [[Neill Gorton]] of Millennium FX, with a pitch to make the Sontarans resemble their original appearance with a modern update.<ref name=":42" /> The Sontarans' armour was re-colored blue, while the Sontarans themselves were designed with a more furrowed brow, giving them an "angrier" look.<ref name=":5" /> Davies believed that shorter actors should portray the Sontarans, akin to their older appearances. The costumes were modelled on actor [[Christopher Ryan]], who portrays the Sontaran commander Staal in the story. The production team found other actors who would fit within Ryan's [[body cast]] to perform in the role of other Sontarans in the episode.<ref name=":42">{{Cite book |last=Ainsworth |first=John |title=Doctor Who: The Complete History: Planet of the Ood – The Sontaran Stratagem – The Poison Sky – The Doctor's Daughter – The Unicorn and the Wasp |date=24 January 2018 |publisher=Hachette Partworks, Panini Publishing.}}</ref> 

[[Phil Ford (writer)|Phil Ford]], a writer for the spin-off series [[The Sarah Jane Adventures|''The Sarah Jane Adventures'']], was keen on adapting the Sontarans into the series, resulting in their appearance in [[The Last Sontaran|''The Last Sontaran'']], the first serial of the show's second season. Though many Sontaran props and objects could be re-used from the main show in the serial, Kaagh (portrayed by actor [[Anthony O'Donnell (actor)|Anthony O'Donnell]]), the Sontaran who appears in the episode, had a new cast taken for his armour instead of re-using the old one. Kaagh was later brought back for the season finale, [[Enemy of the Bane|''Enemy of the Bane'']].<ref name=":22">{{Cite magazine |last=Pixley |first=Andrew |date=1 October 2009 |editor-last=Hickman |editor-first=Clayton |title=Sarah Jane Smith |magazine=Doctor Who Magazine |pages=54–61, 91 |volume=23}}</ref> In an unused script for writer [[Gareth Roberts (writer)|Gareth Roberts]]'s later serial [[Death of the Doctor|''Death of the Doctor'']], a Sontaran named Skorm would have appeared; Skorm's concept would later be adapted into Strax (portrayed by [[Dan Starkey (actor)|Dan Starkey]]) in the 2011 episode "[[A Good Man Goes to War]]".  Strax would go on to serve as a recurring character in the main ''Doctor Who'' series.<ref name=":62">{{Cite book |last=Ainsworth |first=John |title=Doctor Who: The Complete History: A Good Man Goes to War – Let's Kill Hitler – Night Terrors |date=25 January 2017 |publisher=Hachette Partworks, Panini Publishing. |issn=2057-6048}}</ref> [[Steven Moffat]], the creator of Strax, said that his continued appearances came about due to his popularity among fans, particularly alongside [[Madame Vastra]] and [[Jenny Flint]], who had debuted in the same episode.<ref name=":622">{{Cite book |last=Ainsworth |first=John |title=Doctor Who: The Complete History: The Angels Take Manhattan – The Snowmen – The Bells of Saint John |date=5 April 2017 |publisher=Hachette Partworks, Panini Publishing. |issn=2057-6048}}</ref>

For their re-appearance in [[Doctor Who: Flux|''Doctor Who: Flux'']], then-showrunner [[Chris Chibnall]] aimed to return the Sontarans to a level of threat with audiences that they had not been at in some time.<ref name=":1" /> Costume designer Ray Holman and prosthetics expert Danny Marie Elias worked together on the new design. Compared to the 2008 design, these new Sontarans were built to be "dirtier" to convey their experience in battle. The design took inspiration from the Sontarans' appearance in the classic era, particularly from their appearances in the 1970s.<ref name=":2" /> According to Sontaran actor [[Jonathan Watson]], who portrays the Sontaran commander Skaak, the Sontarans were originally intended to be written out of ''Flux'' after "[[War of the Sontarans]]", with scripts re-written during filming to facilitate a later return.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Doctor Who series 13 actor was supposed to be killed off in episode 2 {{!}} Radio Times |url=https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/sci-fi/doctor-who-flux-sontaran-death-exclusive-newsupdate/ |access-date=2025-05-08 |website=www.radiotimes.com |language=en-GB |archive-date=24 June 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250624101019/https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/sci-fi/doctor-who-flux-sontaran-death-exclusive-newsupdate/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

== Reception and analysis ==
[[Graham Sleight]], writing in the book ''The Doctor's Monsters'', regarded the Sontarans as a success. Despite being an "average" monster conceptually, the Sontarans had a thoroughly well-defined culture.<ref name="Sleight2" /> ''[[Radio Times]]'' identified the Sontarans as among the more iconic monsters within the series that are popular with fans, with their design and culture a fan favorite.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |title=Sontarans in Doctor Who {{!}} Have the Sontarans been wasted? {{!}} Radio Times |url=https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/sci-fi/doctor-who-sontarans-appearances/ |access-date=2025-07-15 |website=www.radiotimes.com |language=en-GB |archive-date=20 April 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250420043057/https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/sci-fi/doctor-who-sontarans-appearances/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Adi Tantimedh, writing for [[Bleeding Cool|''Bleeding Cool'']], observed that the Sontarans symbolised the constant warfare linked to [[fascism]], with their tactics and plans more akin to [[Cold War]]-era fears. She viewed the Sontarans as a species who only improved with further appearances, as budget increases allowed their design to become more detailed.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Comments |first=Adi Tantimedh {{!}} |date=2023-10-06 |title=Doctor Who: Defending Sontarans: The Most Underrated Evil Alien Army |url=https://bleedingcool.com/tv/doctor-who-defending-sontarans-the-most-underrated-evil-alien-army/ |access-date=2025-07-15 |website=bleedingcool.com |language=en}}</ref> 

Sleight felt the Sontarans' subsequent appearances were less in-depth than their first, and that their culture was often less well-defined, reducing them to unremarkable antagonists. Sleight saw the appearance of the Sontarans in the revival as a step-up from classic era appearances, with the improved visual quality of the Sontarans and expanded culture.<ref name="Sleight2" /> The book ''Inside the TARDIS'' argued that the Sontarans' return in the revival was a failure compared to other returns, as the Sontarans were taken less seriously as antagonists and were described as an "embarrassment".<ref name="Chapman2006">{{Cite book |last=Chapman |first=James |author-link=James Chapman (media historian) |title=Inside the TARDIS: The Worlds of Doctor Who |date=19 September 2006 |publisher=[[I B Tauris]] |isbn=184511163X |pages=}}</ref> Mick Joest, writing for ''[[CinemaBlend]]'', remarked that following the Sontarans' appearances in the show's revival, the race had largely been reduced to comic relief instead of as a genuine threat.<ref>{{Cite web |author1=Mick Joest |date=2020-06-16 |title=Doctor Who: Sontarans And More Villains That Need To Be Used More |url=https://www.cinemablend.com/television/2548063/doctor-who-sontarans-and-more-villains-that-need-to-be-used-more |access-date=2025-07-15 |website=Cinemablend |language=en |archive-date=5 December 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221205071955/https://www.cinemablend.com/television/2548063/doctor-who-sontarans-and-more-villains-that-need-to-be-used-more |url-status=live }}</ref> ''Radio Times'' agreed, stating that because of their limited appearances compared to other monsters like the Daleks and Cybermen, the Sontarans were unable to capitalise on their story potential; additionally due to Strax's increased comic relief prominence in the series, the Sontarans came off in a more comedic fashion than they did before.<ref name=":3" /> 

The book ''The Science of Doctor Who'' analysed the Sontarans' cloning technology and feeding via probic vent in terms of real-world feasibility. The book noted that for their manner of cloning and feeding to work, Sontarans would need to be much more complicated biologically than they are depicted on-screen.<ref name=":12" />

== References ==
{{Reflist}}


==External links==
{{Commons category|Sontarans}}
* {{TardisDataCore}}

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