Fictional military intelligence organization in the Doctor Who franchise
For other uses, see Unit (disambiguation).
UNIT
U.N.I.T logo used in "The Day of the Doctor" (2013)[1]
Universe
Whoniverse
In-universe information
Type
Intelligence agency, military organisation
Location
Worldwide
Geneva, Switzerland
Snowdon, Wales (Unit Base 5)
UNIT Tower, London, England
The site of the former Scarman estate, England
Under the Tower of London, England
Manhattan, New York City, USA
Airborne aircraft carrier the Valiant
UNIT Moonbase
Key people
Brigadier Lethbridge-Stewart
John Benton
The Doctor
Liz Shaw
Jo Grant
Mike Yates
Sarah Jane Smith
Harry Sullivan
Martha Jones
Kate Stewart
Petronella Osgood
Tegan Jovanka
Ace
Melanie Bush
Shirley Anne Bingham
Purpose
Defending Earth from extraterrestrial and paranormal threats
Technologies
Unreliable access to Gallifreyan technology, advanced translation software, Galvanic Beam, the Vlinx
Powers
Military authority in UN member countries
UNIT is a fictional military organisation from the British science fiction television series Doctor Who and its spin-off series Torchwood and The Sarah Jane Adventures. Operating under the auspices of the United Nations and initially led by Brigadier Lethbridge-Stewart, its purpose is to investigate and combat paranormal and extraterrestrial threats to Earth. Several UNIT personnel (such as the Brigadier, Sergeant Benton and Mike Yates) played a major role in the original Doctor Who series, and it was a regular feature from The Invasion (1968) until The Seeds of Doom (1976).
Originally referred to as the United Nations Intelligence Taskforce, executive producer Russell T Davies said in 2005 that the UN was no longer happy to be associated with the fictional organisation and the UN's full name could now no longer be used. However, the "UNIT" and "UN" abbreviations could be used as long as it was not explained what the letters stood for.[2] In 2008, the organisation's name was changed to the Unified Intelligence Taskforce.[3] and this name was first mentioned on-screen in "The Sontaran Stratagem" (2008) in which dialogue indicated that the United Nations still supports UNIT with funding.[4]
In March 2023, BBC sources told the Daily Mirror that a spin-off series devoted to UNIT would be part of the expanded Whoniverse widely expected once Disney purchased the flagship series' streaming rights outside the United Kingdom.[5] Jemma Redgrave will reprise her role as UNIT leader Kate Stewart.[6]
^Moffat, Steven (writer); Hurran, Nick (director) (23 November 2013). "The Day of the Doctor". Doctor Who. BBC. BBC One.
^Davies, Russell T (14 September 2005). "Bay Watch". Doctor Who Magazine. No. 360. Tunbridge Wells: Panini Publishing Ltd. p. 66.
^Davies, Russell T (April 2008). "Calling UNIT!". SFX. p. 47.
^Raynor, Helen (writer); Mackinnon, Douglas (director) (26 April 2008). "The Sontaran Stratagem". Doctor Who. Series 4. Episode 4. BBC. BBC One.
^Methven, Nicola (14 March 2023). "Doctor Who bosses plan new spin-off show with Jemma Redgrave in starring role". The Mirror. Retrieved 26 December 2023.
^Goldbart, Max (15 March 2023). "'Doctor Who' Spin-Off Details Emerge As Russell T. Davies Says Episode Of New Series Is "One Of The Greatest Things I've Ever Made In My Life"". Deadline. Retrieved 25 April 2023.
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