Doctor Who: 10 Cheapest NuWho Enemies

4. Cybermat

Doctor Who Billie Piper Squiggle Monster Fear Her
BBC Studios

Those who thought the Cybermats were a bit too silly to bring back to NuWho got a surprise in Closing Time which also featured James Corden reprising his role as Craig Owens. This time the affable actor/comedian assisted Matt Smith's Eleventh when Mondas's finest decided to set up shop, and in more ways than one, inside a busy urban mall.

The original Cyber-pets resembled bug-eyed dustbusters and the hoovering theme continued from their last screen appearance in Revenge of the Cybermen. The 21st century show needed a rebooted ankle-height menace and so the redesigned 'Mats who tried to take chunks out of Matt bore all the hallmarks of... erm, a hoover attachment. With joke shop teeth.

Needless to say, these tiny terrors took their place alongside the Smartie-coloured Daleks as a reimagining that came and went faster than a Raston Robot on roller skates. The foam rubber skirting and marshmallow oculars of the Troughton years suddenly seemed oddly appealing.

Contributor
Contributor

I am a journalist and comedian who enjoys American movies of the 70s, Amicus horror compendiums, Doctor Who, Twin Peaks, Naomi Watts and sitting down. My short fiction has been published as part of the Iris Wildthyme range from Obverse Books.