Empire of Death (Doctor Who episode)

"Empire of Death" is the eighth episode of the second series of the British science fiction television programme Doctor Who. It originally aired on 8 June 2024. The episode is the second part of a two-part story, concluding the narrative begun in "The Legend of Ruby Sunday". It was written by Russell T Davies and directed by Jamie Donoughue.

The episode sees the Doctor (Ncuti Gatwa) and Ruby Sunday (Millie Gibson) traveling to a desolate future where Sutekh (Gabriel Woolf), the god of death, has achieved ultimate power, transforming the universe into a decaying and lifeless empire. Much of the action centers around the confrontation with Sutekh and the efforts to understand his origins and motivations, linking back to events and characters introduced earlier in the season, specifically within "The Devil's Chord" and related historical contexts established for Sutekh.

"Empire of Death" explores themes of death, loss, and the enduring power of hope in the face of overwhelming darkness. It features a significant resolution to Ruby Sunday's mysterious origins, tying her to the ongoing narrative arc of the series. The episode is notable for its dark tone and for featuring the return of a classic Doctor Who villain in a powerful and threatening form. It also builds upon the established lore of Sutekh, further cementing his position as a major adversary within the Doctor Who universe.