Doctor Who: EVERY Version Of The Master Explained
8. The Shalka Master (First Appearance: 2003)
With Richard E Grant's elseworlds Ninth Doctor having recently been canonised in the Season 1 episode Rogue, it stands to reason that the same is true for his version of the Master.
The 2003 animated web series Scream of the Shalka saw Grant play the original Ninth Doctor, a few years before Christopher Eccleston would assume that mantle in the main show.
The Shalka Master was voiced by the great Sir Derek Jacobi. Here, the Master's conciousness has been transferred into a handy robot shell, and fortunately for the rest of the universe, this robot Master is confined to the TARDIS, essentially acting as a security guard for the Doctor's ship.
There was an odd couple partnership between Richard E Grant's Doctor and Derek Jacobi's Master that could have provided a fresh dynamic had Scream of the Shalka led to further adventures. Despite their antagonism towards each other, it's clear that the Master cares about his old friend – why else does he convince Alison to become the Doctor's companion?
With Russell T Davies recently stating that Scream of the Shalka is canon, the Shalka Master fits neatly between the Bruce Master and the next Master, without causing any major disruptions.
And speaking of the next Master...