Doctor Who: EVERY Version Of The Master Explained
3. The Spy Master (First Appearance: 2020)
The Saxon Master was a perfect disguise for the great British public, but the Spy Master is an incredible disguise that fools even the Doctor.
At some point before his first appearance in the 2020 episode Spyfall, the Spy Master learned of a long-buried secret: that the Doctor was the Timeless Child, a mysterious being from another universe from whom the ability to regenerate had been extrapolated, and spliced into other Gallifreyans.
This, somewhat understandably, made him very angry. Not only had the Time Lords lied, but this meant that the Master contained a small piece of their greatest enemy and oldest rival.
In response, the Spy Master destroyed the Time Lords and burned Gallifrey to the ground. Sacha Dhawan's Master draws on John Simm's Jokerish portrayal, but manages to be even more unhinged and dangerous, with a primal rage to complement his madness.
The Spy Master also, finally, gives us a modern series Master with a TARDIS. His outback shack flying through the sky is a wonderful callback to both The Wizard of Oz, and Michelle Gomez's wicked witch characterisation.
He also liked a song and dance, just like the Saxon Master. The Spy Master's Rasputin routine just pips the Scissor Sisters when it comes to iconic moments!