The Slitheen: How a Farting Alien Family Became a Tool for Political Satire

Countries & Cities · Published 15 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Created for the 2005 revival of Doctor Who, the Slitheen are a criminal family of Raxicoricofallapatorians who disguise themselves in human skinsuits. While their excessive flatulence and zipper-forehead gimmick were designed to appeal to children, these green aliens also served as a complex vehicle for political commentary and character-driven drama.

Conceived by showrunner Russell T. Davies, the Slitheen were inspired by the BBC2 serial Edge of Darkness and the Aubertide family from earlier spin-off novels. Physically, they were designed as eight-foot-tall, spike-covered creatures with babyish faces. Because the production team at Millenium FX had only three weeks to build the costumes, they relied on fiberglass and foam latex, though CGI was later used for complex movements and to depict the creatures emerging from their human disguises.

The Slitheen’s narrative role often centered on infiltrating human governments, most notably in their 2005 debut where they occupied 10 Downing Street. Scholars have analyzed this plot as an allegorical dramatization of conspiracy theories surrounding the September 11 attacks, specifically the claim that domestic leadership staged terror events. Beyond satire, the character of Blon Fel-Fotch Pasameer-Day Slitheen, portrayed by Annette Badland, provided a lens for deeper analysis. Her return in the episode Boom Town allowed the series to explore the Slitheen as individuals capable of nuance, rather than mere caricatures, challenging the human-centric view of aliens as inherently 'other.'

Despite their popularity with younger audiences, the Slitheen faced criticism for their childish humor and perceived lack of narrative weight. However, their presence in spin-off media like The Sarah Jane Adventures allowed for further development, including themes of motherhood and family. Scientific interest has even extended to the species, with researchers at the University of Leicester attempting to calculate the physics of their compression fields and calcium-based biology—concluding that such lifeforms are likely impossible in reality. Whether viewed as a comedic gimmick or a sophisticated plot device, the Slitheen remain a distinct fixture in the Doctor Who universe.

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