Doctor Who audio's Billie Piper and Christopher Eccleston reunion confirms story details in first look
The drama will be set between the events of the TV episodes Father's Day and The Empty Child.
Big Finish has announced the first story details for its upcoming audio adventure that will reunite Christopher Eccleston and Billie Piper 20 years after they appeared together on Doctor Who. The project was first announced last month, with the full-cast drama set to be made up of 12 episodes, marking the fourth season of Doctor Who – The Ninth Doctor Adventures. A brief synopsis was given back in the original announcement, but the new information goes into far greater detail as to what fans can expect from the adventure, including the fact that it will be set between the events of the TV episodes Father’s Day and The Empty Child. The full synopsis reads: "Kevin left the Powell Estate a long time ago. He wasn’t going to be trapped there. But all these years later, he’s back and clearing out his dad’s old flat. At least his neighbours, the Tylers, are still here." It continues: "But Rose has a strange new man in her life. And this Doctor’s going to show Kevin a world he never knew existed. "Unfortunately, something ancient is stirring on the Estate. Perhaps Kevin will be trapped here after all…" In addition to Eccleston and Piper, the cast for the audio drama also includes Camille Coduri reprising her role as Rose's mother Jackie, Alex Austin as Kevin, a former Powell Estate resident, and Hannah Brown as Marlene, his posh artist friend. Speaking about the drama, writer Tim Foley said: "I was a kid of the wilderness years, with a knapsack full of books and audios and videos, but 2005 saw actual Doctor Who actually broadcast on the actual telly. It was incredibly special for me then, and the Ninth Doctor and Rose continue to be incredibly special for me now. "Wherever you are on the globe, you will surely have heard my whoops of joy when I was asked to write for this new series." Of the opening instalment, he added: "It’s great to kick things off with Snare, a character-driven opener back on the Powell Estate. We’re picking up right after Father’s Day, where the family drama from that story still continues to make ripples. Read more: Christopher Eccleston and Billie Piper reunite for Doctor Who audio drama Vikings and Doctor Who stars' fantasy film The Seeker: The Dark Is Rising is on TV this weekend Doctor Who's Russell T Davies addresses season 15 release date leak David Tennant confirmed for MCM Comic Con "You’ll meet one of Rose’s old friends, Kevin, and learn what secrets are being hidden in his dad’s old flat. You’ll also encounter Jackie Tyler’s cooking, so stay strong." Doctor Who – The Ninth Doctor Adventures: Snare is now available to pre-order from just £9.99 (download to own) or £11.99 (download to own + collector’s edition CD), exclusively from bigfinish.com. Meanwhile, a complete series multibuy bundle of all 12 releases is also available to pre-order at the specially discounted price of £102 (download to own) or £126 (download to own + collector’s edition CDs), also exclusively from the Big Finish website. Doctor Who is available to stream on BBC iPlayer and season 15 will be released in May 2025. Dive into our Doctor Who story guide: reviews of every episode since 1963, plus cast & crew listings, production trivia, and exclusive material from the Radio Times archive. Check out more of our Sci-Fi coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. For more from the biggest stars in TV, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
Christopher Eccleston and Billie Piper reunite for Doctor Who audio drama
The Ninth Doctor and Rose are back together after 20 years.
20 years after they first debuted together in Doctor Who's first revival season, Christopher Eccleston and Billie Piper are returning to the Tardis for a new audio drama series. While both Eccleston and Piper have starred in Big Finish audio dramas for the sci-fi series since they left their roles as the Ninth Doctor and Rose on-screen, this is first time they will be starring in one together. The synopsis for the drama, which will be made up of 12 episodes and is the fourth season of Doctor Who – The Ninth Doctor Adventures, says: "Back to the Powell Estate, where the Doctor’s past returns to haunt him, and out into the universe where enemies old and new are waiting..." Eccleston said of reuniting with Piper: "I am so happy to be back recording more adventures for the Ninth Doctor with Billie. I don't think my Doctor exists without Rose. "He's a 'one man, one companion' kind of alien. We've explored him on his own at Big Finish, as a loner. But there's a resilience and a bravery and a deep empathy to Billie as Rose, that's why I do this. They complete each other." Meanwhile, Piper added: "I can’t think of a better time for Rose to reunite with her first Doctor than now. Twenty years after she first ran into the TARDIS and towards adventure, here we are again, me and Chris, ready to have fun facing the universe – and the monsters – together." Read more: Doctor Who's Freema Agyeman explains why Martha Jones didn't return in Torchwood Doctor Who's Steven Moffat addresses possibility of another return Producer Matt Fitton teased that the 12 episodes will slot "neatly into that 2005 series", and that it will feature "more Jackie Tyler, more Powell Estate, plus friends and enemies old and new through time and space". "Our writers have done an amazing job recapturing the spirit of that very special season," he continued. "And Chris and Billie have embraced these scripts with delight and gusto. They're having a blast, back on that trip of a lifetime – and they sound fantastic!" The hour-long episodes are available to pre-order now before they are released in August 2025. Prices start at £9.99 per story (download to own) or £11.99 (download to own + collector’s edition CD) exclusively from www.bigfinish.com. Meanwhile, a complete series multibuy bundle of all 12 episodes is also available to pre-order at £102 (download to own) or £126 (download to own + collector’s edition CD). Other recent Big Finish releases have seen returns for Jo Martin as the Fugitive Doctor, as well as Sacha Dhawan as the Master. Doctor Who is available to stream on BBC iPlayer and season 15 will be released in May 2025. The Thirteenth Doctor Adventures coming soon from Big Finish. Check out more of our Sci-Fi coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. For more from the biggest stars in TV, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
Doctor Who's lost Cybermen origin story with Peter Davison revived
One of the Doctor's greatest enemies returns!
In the long list of Doctor Who's most iconic enemies, fans will be divided as to which one tops the list, but there's no denying that the Cybermen are pretty high up there in terms of leaving a lasting impression on Whovians. Well, it's a good thing, then, that we're getting a brand new Cybermen tale in the form of a full cast audio drama with none other than Fifth Doctor Peter Davison. Set to be released as part of Big Finish's Doctor Who – The Lost Stories series, Genesis of the Cybermen will reveal the origins of this particular villain of the Doctor's. This new tale actually comes from one of the original creators of the Cybermen, writer Gerry Davis, who – along with Kit Pedler – came up with the idea of the fictional race of cyborgs and went on to write several of their TV stories. Davis pitched an origin story back in the '80s but it never made it to screen after being rejected, so we can thank our lucky stars that it's now being adapted as an audio drama by David K Barnes. According to the synopsis for Genesis of the Cybermen: "A King lies dying in his castle. "His eldest son Prince Sylvan is an artist with no desire to inherit a kingdom, while Prince Dega toils in his laboratory, dedicated to saving their dying people from extinction. They will all burn unless he succeeds. "When the TARDIS arrives, its crew believe they can help. But this planet is Mondas. And this is the Genesis of the Cybermen..." As well as Davison reprising his role as the Fifth Doctor, he will be joined this time round by Janet Fielding, Sarah Sutton and Matthew Waterhouse as his companions Tegan, Nyssa, and Adric, while Nicholas Briggs will voice the Cybermen. On the announcement of the new audio drama, producer and director David O’Mahony said: "The Cybermen have been one of the Doctor’s greatest opponents throughout the ages. They are brutal, uncaring and dedicatedly vicious. "Gerry Davis's ideas about their origin never made it onto TV, so it’s a total pleasure to bring this story to life with Peter Davison’s Doctor. Setting it pre-Earthshock gives it the feel of a brilliant prequel to the impending Cybermen stories that we know and love." Read more: Doctor Who icons reunite for epic new adventure with House of the Dragon star Heartstopper star Kit Connor reveals favourite Doctor Who era Doctor Who – The Lost Stories: Genesis of the Cybermen is now available to pre-order exclusively from the Big Finish website. Check out more of our Sci-Fi coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. For more from the biggest stars in TV, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
Doctor Who spin-off with Inside No. 9 star announced by Big Finish
Reece Shearsmith is returning to the Whoniverse!
Another Doctor Who audio drama is coming our way, and this time around it's welcoming a TV legend into its mix. That's right, it's been confirmed that The League of Gentlemen and Inside No. 9 star Reece Shearsmith will be making his Big Finish debut in brand new audio series Planet Krynoid. Of course, this is not Shearsmith's first foray into the Whoniverse as the actor and writer has previously starred in season 9 episode Sleep No More as Gagan Rassmussen. The episode saw Peter Capaldi's Twelfth Doctor and Jenna Coleman's Clara Oswald take on Shearsmith's character, who was a space station crew member left orbiting Neptune in the 38th century. Now, Shearsmith will be starring in this new audio series, which will also feature a classic Doctor Who body horror monster – the eponymous man-absorbing alien plant creature that was first seen on our screens in the 1976 Tom Baker story The Seeds of Doom. In the new adventure, Shearsmith will play Robert Hodan, the governor of Sunlight, "a paradise planet infested by the Krynoid", according to the synopsis. It continues: "When two seed pods are discovered lodged in a satellite, things swiftly go from bad to worse..." On the announcement of his role in the series, Shearsmith said: "I know a lot of actors on Big Finish’s roster – David Warner was a great friend, and he used to love doing them and would tell me about them: 'Why haven't you done one?' "So I was thrilled to be asked to be in this. It’s a really huge drama, it feels a proper disaster movie of the 1970s, like The Poseidon Adventure – things just get worse and worse." Read more: Daryl Dixon season 2 recreates iconic The Walking Dead moment – with a twist Rings of Power boss drops season 3 hint: 'There'll be good news soon' As well as Shearsmith's governor, the characters for the new audio series include xenobiologist Bryn Forrester (Melody Chikakane Brown) and the impoverished Hart family comprised of Sarah Whitehouse, Ian Conningham, and Nye Occomore. And there's also a special appearance in the second episode of the series, with Paul McGann (aka the Eighth Doctor) set to be included. The series will be made up of three episodes: Sunlight by Jonathan Morris, Sunset by Jonathan S Powell and Darkness by Chris Chapman. On the announcement of the series, producer Jonathan S Powell said: "Planet Krynoid is Doctor Who’s answer to The Last of Us and The Walking Dead, a heart-stopping vision of society's collapse under the weight of one of television's most terrifying creations: the Krynoid. "The Krynoids themselves are terrifying because they do that great sci-fi thing of inverting the ordinary and making you petrified of pot plants. More than that though, they're a sentient infection utterly antithetical to our existence, for which we are woefully unprepared, which makes them the perfect monster to explore today, half a century on from their debut. "I adore The Seeds of Doom – not just for its B-movie brilliance, but for the creeping feeling it evokes that this time, for the first time, the Doctor really might lose. That's what we've tried to convey in this set, that the gloves are off and nobody is safe." The Worlds of Doctor Who – Planet Krynoid: Nightfall is now available to pre-order at BigFinish.com and the box set is due for release in April 2025. Check out more of our Sci-Fi coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what’s on. For more from the biggest stars in TV, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
David Tennant's Doctor meets Missy in Doctor Who 60th audio special
You don't have to wait long for David Tennant's Doctor Who return after all.
Doctor Who fans may have been counting down the days till later in the year for David Tennant's iconic return to the long-running sci-fi series, but it seems as though there's an earlier Doctor Who surprise in store. That's right people, David Tennant is back for more Doctor Who adventures but this time round, in Big Finish's brand new audio anniversary special, The Martian Invasion of Planetoid 50. The exciting new episode is the next in the 60th anniversary Once and Future series, which is due for release this September. Although fans are eagerly awaiting Tennant's return in the TV series for three new TV specials as the Fourteenth Doctor, he'll be back first in the audio drama as his Tenth incarnation. Recorded back in 2020, the cast of the new audio adventure will also include Madame Vastra (Neve McIntosh), Jenny Flint (Catrin Stewart) and Strax (Dan Starkey) as The Paternoster Gang, and Missy (Michelle Gomez). According to the synopsis for the episode: "The First Doctor arrives in Victorian London amid a Martian invasion. But he discovers all is not what it seems when Missy appears... "Soon, the Doctor is propelled into a future incarnation – the Tenth – but he is not alone in battling Missy and her Martian invaders. The Paternoster Gang – Madame Vastra, Jenny Flint and Strax – are also here to assist. But can they offer the Doctor any help in solving his own degeneration mystery?" Speaking about the new episode, series producer David Richardson said: “I feel privileged to have produced this very special episode, and the recording session was very special too. “To have all of these wonderfully rich characters together was a treat, and to have David Tennant and Michelle Gomez going head-to-head was joyous. Michelle loves to play with the script, and she improvised beautifully – and David took her improvisations and matched her. “During the recording, I wondered how much might make it to the edit, but it’s all there within the final scenes. Joyous – I’ve used the word again. I’ve no other way to describe it.” Read more: Doctor Who reveals new sonic screwdriver for David Tennant's Fourteenth Doctor Doctor Who's Billie Piper returns as Rose for 3 new audio adventures There seems to be a veritable slate of good news coming our way as Doctor Who's 60th anniversary looms ever closer, with fans considerably excited for Tennant and Catherine Tate's return as the Doctor and companion, Donna Noble. But Tennant has admitted that when preparing for his return, he didn't watch any of his past episodes, teasing that the Doctor and Donna are "not necessarily exactly the same versions of themselves as they were". Tennant said in this month's issue of Doctor Who Magazine: "The Doctor's been three different people in the meantime, so I’m not necessarily the same version of the Doctor that I was before. "I’m not the Tenth Doctor now, I’m the Fourteenth. Well, strictly speaking we don’t know what the actual number is anymore, do we?" View Green Video on the source website Doctor Who – Once and Future: The Martian Invasion of Planetoid 50 will be released this September 2023. It will be available to pre-order as a single-disc collector’s edition CD (+ download for just £10.99), or digital download only (for just £8.99), exclusively from www.bigfinish.com. Doctor Who is available to stream on BBC iPlayer with episodes of the classic series also available on BritBox – you can sign up for a 7-day free trial here. Check out more of our Sci-Fi coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what’s on. Try Radio Times magazine today and get 12 issues for only £1 with delivery to your home – subscribe now. For more from the biggest stars in TV, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
Doctor Who fans can win the chance to write an official audio story
The annual Paul Spragg Memorial Short Trip Opportunity is now live.
Doctor Who fans have been given another chance to write an official audio story for Big Finish – with the annual Paul Spragg Memorial Short Trip Opportunity launching today (Monday 8th May). The competition is now in its eighth year and is named after the former Big Finish producer's assistant, who tragically and suddenly passed away in May 2014. It invites Whovians to submit a one-page synopsis and an opening excerpt of approximately 500 words each, with the winning entry to be released as an audiobook this Christmas. Submissions can be set in the universe of Doctor Who's Classic Series at any time in the lives of the Doctor from An Unearthly Child onwards in any one of the following incarnations: First, Fourth, Fifth, Sixth, or Eighth. Established monsters, villains and other Doctor Who characters cannot be used in the stories – with the exception of classic series companions and companions created by Big Finish. Submissions are open until the end of June and the full list of terms and conditions are listed on the Big Finish website. Speaking about the competition's launch, Big Finish's executive producer Nicholas Briggs said: "It's a bittersweet time of year when we announce our annual Paul Spragg Memorial Writers' Opportunity. "There's the sadness concerning the loss of Paul, who was one of our most valued colleagues, taken from this life at far too young an age. But then there's the joy of remembering his unswerving dedication to Big Finish and his boundless positivity." He continued: "Perhaps most importantly, there's the enthusiastic encouragement he always gave to potential, new contributors — which is the reason why this competition was set up in his name. Here’s to Paul and all the brilliant writers yet to come." Read more: Doctor Who producer vetoed writer's "horrific" Ood scene Doctor Who writer "wouldn’t change" divisive episode Range producer Peter Anghelides added: "By a happy coincidence, each of the previous years' winning entries has a different Doctor as its protagonist. "This year, we thought we’d design the competition to ensure that continues. So, we're asking for proposals for one of the following Doctors: First, Fourth, Fifth, Sixth, or Eighth. "As we say every year, please make sure you read all the opportunity's guidelines and terms and conditions carefully, and ensure you follow them. We’d hate to lose a brilliant story because of a small mistake." View Green Video on the source website Doctor Who is available to stream on BBC iPlayer with episodes of the classic series also available on BritBox – you can sign up for a 7-day free trial here. For more, check out our dedicated Sci-Fi page or our full TV Guide and Streaming Guide. Try Radio Times magazine today and get 12 issues for only £1 with delivery to your home – subscribe now. For more from the biggest stars in TV, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
David Tennant returns as Luther Arkwright for Big Finish adventure
The actor last played the role 18 years ago.
David Tennant will reprise his role as Luther Arkwright in a new Big Finish audio drama, which serves as a belated sequel to a cult favourite title released almost two decades ago. Based on the comic book created by Bryan Talbot, The Adventures of Luther Arkwright follows the eponymous character as he travels through parallel universes and battles the sinister Disruptors. Big Finish first tackled the high concept material back in 2005, but now the esteemed producers of audio content are returning for a sequel, which adapts Talbot's 1999 story Heart of Empire. Set 23 years after the original, this epic tale features the return of Luther himself and the introduction of his daughter, Victoria, to be played by Georgina Hellier (Industry). Along with Tennant, several other actors from the original Luther Arkwright audio book are returning, including India Fisher (as Queen Anne), Siri O'Neal (as Rose), Robert Jezek (as Karl), and Jez Fielder (as Harry Fairfax and Dr John Dee). Tennant said: “Luther Arkwright was introduced to me by Big Finish with the script of the first instalment. When I read it, I was captivated. There’s something very hypnotic about the world that Bryan Talbot creates. It was hugely appealing! "What a treat that we’ve gotten to revisit this world and these characters.” Bryan Talbot added: “After their great adaptation of The Adventures of Luther Arkwright, I can’t wait to hear Big Finish’s production of the second story, Heart of Empire. I’m especially pleased that David Tennant is reprising his role as Luther Arkwright.” The new box set due for release in June 2023 will include two full-cast audio dramas, Part One: Daughter of Albion and Part Two: Cataclysm, with listener discretion advised due to adult content not suitable for younger listeners. Director and executive producer Jason Haigh-Ellery said: “I’m so excited to be returning to Bryan’s work with Heart of Empire. I first came across The Adventures of Luther Arkwright in a small comic shop whilst at university. "I was immediately caught up in the amazing world that Bryan created and the vivid characters that inhabited that world. It was truly ahead of its time." When Tennant first voiced the role of Luther Arkwright, he was yet to take on the Doctor Who gig that would make him a household name across the country. Fans are now eagerly awaiting his return in the 60th anniversary special. Earlier this month, he explained how the unexpected reprisal happened "by accident". The Adventures of Luther Arkwright: Heart of Empire is now available to pre-order as a collector’s edition 2-disc CD box set (+ download for just £15.99) or digital download only (for just £12.99) from BigFinish.com. From November 2022, new pre-order prices will apply for unreleased box sets. Check out more of our Fantasy coverage or visit our TV Guide to see what's on tonight. The latest issue of Radio Times magazine is on sale now – subscribe now and get the next 12 issues for only £1. For more from the biggest stars in TV, listen to the Radio Times View From My Sofa podcast.
Russell T Davies teased Doctor Who return weeks before it was announced
“Can’t we just talk about who’s going to be the next Doctor Who showrunner?”
Russell T Davies wants to talk about the next Doctor Who showrunner. We’re back in August 2021, just a couple of weeks after Chris Chibnall announced he was departing the BBC series and with intense speculation raging about his successor. Ex-series boss Davies, meanwhile, had made a surprise return to the Whoniverse thanks to the production of a “lost” script he’d written in the 1980s, now turned into a Big Finish Audio Drama starring Colin Baker and Bonnie Langford. “I remember being in my flat, in Roath – in Claude Road, in Roath,” Davies told RadioTimes.com and other press on a virtual press call for Mind of the Hodiac, coming to Big Finish this March. “But that was ’85 and ’86 and ’87. That’s why it’s a blur. It’s just me and my little typewriter, dreaming of making Doctor Who one day. Isn’t that funny?” With hindsight, Davies’ nostalgia may have had a deeper source. Just six weeks or so after this conversation, he was revealed to be returning as showrunner of Doctor Who on TV, flabbergasting fans who had waved goodbye to his era in 2010. Suddenly, Mind of the Hodiac’s audio adaptation began to look less like a whim, and more like the harbinger of Davies’ full return. Certainly, the big announcement seems to have been on Davies’ mind when we spoke, with the screenwriter apparently teasing journalists with the truth throughout the interview (which has been held under an embargo until this week). “It wasn’t at all, to be honest,” Davies began to say when we asked about how the Hodiac script was changed for audio. “I thought it was really important to— oh, can’t we just talk about who’s going to be the next Doctor Who showrunner?” He laughed, before (virtually) turning to Hodiac co-writer Scott Handcock. “I say Scott Handcock. Come on, Scott, you should do it. Yeah, wouldn’t that be good?” Later, Mind of the Hodiac star Colin Baker may have picked up on some of the call’s subtext, wondering aloud whether it was time for the Davies era of Doctor Who to be resurrected. “The seeds of the future Russell T Davies that we all know [are in Mind of the Hodiac],” the former (and current) Sixth Doctor said. “They all seem to examine what it’s like to be on the outside, living as a stranger in a society that you have to live in. Which is what The Second Coming was about in many ways. “And this script as well is about an outsider trying to— I mean, he’s a villain, so he’s trying to do horrible things. But he is one person who is different. It’s about difference. Sci-fi is always about difference in many ways, of course.” Davies said: “Maybe that means Doctor Who came first in my thinking, though, because there I was, in the ‘60s, watching a show about an outsider coming in. So maybe that set the template. Maybe everything I’m writing is Doctor Who. Oh my God.” “If only. If only, Russell,” Baker laughed, asking soon after: “Isn’t it time you came back?” “By popular demand,” Davies laughed. “By popular demand! Silence. A tumbleweed just went past.” “Not at all,” added Bonnie Langford, back as companion Mel for the audio adaptation. “I was actually jealous when you were there on the show, running it, because it suddenly— well, you know, it made things make sense. When I did some conventions about – I don’t know – 20 years ago or something, it was interesting to hear the other companions saying, you know, that the companions were sort of two-dimensional; we don’t really want to know too much; it’s a way to forward the story, or interject, or get in the way and create another B-stream going through it. “And I thought, ‘Oh, good, because I was looking for something all that time, and I never found it.’ But when I saw the new Doctor Who, the way it is, I thought, ‘Oh, there it is. There’s the anchor on which to base yourself. There’s your foundations there. That’s all you need. You don’t need loads.’ But it was always something. And I think I was always busy trying to search for it too much.” And who knows? Maybe she already gave Davies his first idea for the 60th anniversary special. “I think it’s about time Mel hopped off that spaceship, and came back to Earth,” he told her. Looking back, it’s easy to imagine that it wasn’t just Mind of the Hodiac that had Davies waxing lyrical about the magic of Doctor Who. This interview took place on 12th August, with the screenwriter’s return to the TV show announced on 24th September, and the whole effort must have been on his mind as he worked on his first ever Who script with two heroes. “Seriously, what a joy, what an honour,” he told Baker and Langford on the call. “I wrote this for you two all those million years ago, when I was thin and ginger and gorgeous. And now I’m just an old man. “If I thought back then that this would ever get made... you know what? Life is terrible, and awful, and the world is burning, and we’re all going to die, but sometimes the world is absolutely lovely. “And all these years later, we get to make this. And it’s honestly a thing of absolute joy to do. I’m so happy.” We’d have to agree – when it comes to Doctor Who, it’s a good time to be Russell T Davies. Mind of the Hodiac comes to Big Finish in March 2022, while Doctor Who returns to BBC One this spring with Legend of the Sea Devils. For more, check out our dedicated Sci-Fi page or our full TV Guide. The latest issue of Radio Times is on sale now – subscribe now to get each issue delivered to your door. For more from the biggest stars in TV, listen to the Radio Times podcast with Jane Garvey.
Doctor Who's Christopher Eccleston returns for series 2 of audio adventures
The Ninth Doctor will be back for 12 new Big Finish audio adventures.
Great news for Doctor Who fans! Christopher Eccleston is officially returning to voice the Ninth Doctor for another series of Big Finish adventures. The new series of The Ninth Doctor Adventures will consist of 12 more episodes, which will be released throughout 2022 and 2023, with Eccleston once again reprising the role of the Time Lord. Eccleston, who has been reluctant to return to Doctor Who in the past, surprised fans last year when his first batch of Big Finish adventures were announced. He recently revealed in a Dragon Con interview that a Doctor Who 60th anniversary return was "very doubtful", but he confirmed he planned to continue with Big Finish audio adventures. Speaking of the upcoming series, Eccleston said: “Just before Christmas in 2020, I walked into a small recording studio in an industrial estate in North London. Me and the sound engineer looked at each other and we smiled and said, ‘Let's go!’ Then I started playing the Ninth Doctor again, and I loved it. It's been one of the great joys for me of the past year. It's a lovely way to do it, so I'm coming back to record more.” Big Finish boss Jason Haigh-Ellery added: “I am so glad that Christopher has enjoyed his time with us so much that he has agreed to continue his travels in the TARDIS. Bringing the Ninth Doctor back to the Doctor Who universe has been one of the few enjoyable parts of the past year and I am so glad that the adventures will continue!” Producer David Richardson said: “I’ve spent most of my summer weekends sitting in the garden, iPad on my lap, reading the scripts for The Ninth Doctor Adventures – Series Two. Happy days indeed. No spoilers but expect emotional, character-based stories, and lots of adventure – going deep into Earth’s past and into the far future." Richardson also teased plot points for the next batch of adventures, saying: “From an old railway station to the seas of Titan, to a very unusual furniture store in the present day, it’s another trip of a lifetime – and I can’t wait to be back in the studio again in October, where we will bring these words to brilliant life. Recording the first season with Chris was one of my happiest times at Big Finish, and I feel privileged to be going back for more.” Fans can pre-order each volume via the Big Finish website, with prices starting at just £19.99. There is also a limited edition gatefold triple LP vinyl format available. Doctor Who will return to BBC One later in 2021 – visit our Sci-fi hub for more news and features or find something to watch with our TV Guide.
Doctor Who reveals audio storylines and cover art for Georgia Tennant's return
Still Running is Jenny's second series of solo adventures.
Big Finish has revealed details of Georgia Tennant's return to her fan-favourite Doctor Who role, Jenny, in a series of brand new full cast audio adventures. After debuting in 2008 episode The Doctor's Daughter, the character was absent for about a decade before being brought back for an initial run of Big Finish stories in the summer of 2018. The much-anticipated second series is scheduled for release in November and will see her going up against an old foe of her own as well as her father's iconic nemeses: the Cybermen. She'll be joined by companion Noah, played by Harry Potter star Sean Biggerstaff, while the voice cast also features Simon Fisher-Becker, Siân Phillips and Nicholas Briggs. Georgia Tennant said: “My favourite Who monster is the Cybermen – I did a school project on Doctor Who (unsurprisingly) when I was about seven-years-old, and I specialised in the Cybermen, so her meeting them is a dream! "And her and Noah’s sibling relationship has developed in this series – they've got to know each other much better. Each has a quality the other one doesn’t have. Jenny's a bit more reckless, and Noah’s a bit more steadfast and reliable.” Check out the synopsis for the four new episodes below, which will be collected in a set titled Jenny: The Doctor's Daughter – Still Running, which is available to pre-order now from the Big Finish website. Inside the Maldorvarium by Adrian Poynton Jenny and Noah find a priceless item up for auction at a disreputable venue – with an even less trustworthy owner. Dorium Maldovar might seem pleased to see them, but what’s his real agenda? Is Jenny here by chance, or is someone spinning a web…? Altered Status by Christian Brassington & Matt Fitton On a utopian world, the perfect society toils towards its worthy ‘Cause’. But the hard-working Suits are more than they seem, and the Department Head is something else altogether. And when Jenny and Noah scratch the surface, they find silver underneath. The Cybermen are coming… Calamity Jenny by John Dorney When Noah and Jenny mosey on into the Old West, it’s surely a coincidence that Jenny looks exactly like the town’s most notorious outlaw. But as they’ll discover, anyone who crosses ‘Calamity Jenny’ suffers an unlucky fate – and it’s usually fatal. Her Own Worst Enemy by Lisa McMullin Jenny wants bounty hunter cyborg Colt-5000 off their trail once and for all. Her plan involves cybertech founder Seavus Colt, time travel, and showing somebody the true value of their life. But the web of time can’t be pulled apart without a cost… Jenny – The Doctor’s Daughter: Still Running is available for pre-order as a collector’s edition box set at £24.99 and as a digital download at £19.99, exclusively from the Big Finish website. Check out more of our Sci-Fi coverage or visit our TV Guide to see what's on tonight.
Twelfth Doctor joins Doctor Who Big Finish adventure as Peter Capaldi recast
Jacob Dudman will voice Twelve in the new audio series, titled Timejacked.
Peter Capaldi might have recently claimed that he finds radio plays "quite dreary" – but that won't stop the Twelfth Doctor returning for a brand new Doctor Who audio series, albeit with a different actor playing the role. The Stranger star Jacob Dudman takes on Capaldi's role in a new series for Big Finish titled The Twelfth Doctor Chronicles – Timejacked, with Bhavnisha Parmar (who previously played Yaz’s younger sister, Sonya Khan in the TV series) starring as Keira Sandstorm, a renegade Time Agent. It's not the first time Dudman has played the Doctor for Big Finish – indeed he's previously voiced both the Tenth and Eleventh Doctors – and you can get a sneak preview of his version of Twelve in the clip below. View oEmbed on the source website Timejacked is due for release in February 2022, and finds the Doctor enjoying a comfortable life as a university lecturer at St Luke's until he is recruited into a vital mission by the aforementioned Keira. The full cast audio series is available to pre-order as a collector's edition CD box set for £19.99 or alternatively as a digital download for the cheaper price of £16.99 and comprises of three different tales. Those stories are titled Flight to Calandra, Split Second and The Weight of History with the first having been written by Matt Fitton and the latter two both penned by Lou Morgan. For the latest news and expert tips on getting the best deals this year, take a look at our Black Friday 2021 and Cyber Monday 2021 guides. Speaking about taking on the role, Dudman said: "I was delighted to create a voice for the Twelfth Doctor to suit full cast audio. "It's a character I've thoroughly enjoyed working on and have really grown into. I think fans will find this new 'full cast' format really lifts the box set to the next level! We have an epic three-hour story, told across three fantastic scripts – involving terrifying time agents, brand new planets, hatred of pears, and wibbly-wobbly madness!" Bhavnisha Parmar said: “Working with Big Finish was an absolute dream. From the first day to the last, as a whole team – production and cast, we created some wonderful acting moments. Being back in the studio with the full cast was also a delight." And speaking about her character she added: "What can I say about playing Keira? She's a strong female, funny and feisty – such a treat to play her. Her emotional arc is not one you see a lot in female characters and that is a true gem about her. I’m really excited about what the future holds for the box set, for the team, and for Keira! Until then...” Doctor Who returns to BBC One later in 2021. Visit our Sci-fi hub for all the latest news, or find something to watch tonight with our TV Guide.
David Tennant to face Derek Jacobi's Master in new Doctor Who story 15 years after their TV face-off
The Master and David Tennant’s Doctor are set to showdown next summer.
Sir Derek Jacobi returns as The Master in a brand-new box set of Doctor Who audio adventures due for release in June 2022. Serving as the protagonist in the Big Finish Productions-helmed series, he reprises his standout role in 2007 episode Utopia, where he played the unassuming "Professor Yana" 15 years ago. By the end of the episode, he was revealed to be The Master, hidden in plain sight, before regenerating into John Simm's incarnation. For the latest news and expert tips on getting the best deals this year, take a look at our Black Friday 2021 and Cyber Monday 2021 guides. Tennant, who we all know served as the Tenth Doctor from 2005 to 2010, spoke about his guest-starring in the last of four new and exciting episodes. “One of the joys of these Big Finish stories is that any little corner of the Doctor Who universe can be re-explored – and what a treat to get to do a story with Derek! There’s something so vivid in those moments when Derek became the Master on TV. It feels very natural that that character should be expanded and have all these stories to tell because there was so much going on there.” Producer Scott Handcock added: “Self-Defence has been a thrill to pull together. We have four brilliant scripts from Lou Morgan, Una McCormack, Lizbeth Myles and Lizzie Hopley and an incredible guest cast across the stories – plus the Tenth Doctor himself getting propelled back into the Time War for the box set's conclusion!” Big Finish listeners can save money by ordering a bundle of both The War Master: Self-Defence and the as-yet-untitled eighth series for £48 as collector’s edition CD box sets or £39 as digital downloads. The War Master: Self-Defence is now available for pre-order as a collector’s edition four-disc box set (on CD at £24.99) and as a digital download (at £19.99), exclusively from Big Finish.
Christopher Eccleston says his new Doctor Who stories will “address” why he doesn’t have a companion
The Big Finish series will be set before the arrival of a fan favourite character.
Christopher Eccleston has revealed that the reason his Ninth Doctor doesn't have a companion will be "address[ed]" in his upcoming Big Finish audio adventures. Ahead of the highly anticipated The Ninth Doctor Adventures, Eccleston spoke to Doctor Who Magazine about the series. In the interview, he revealed that the audio adventures will be set before The Ninth Doctor meets Rose (played by Billie Piper) in the TV show Doctor Who, but hinted at a further in-universe explanation for his character's loneliness. “So far, we’ve only had temporary assistants that he meets within the adventures," he told Doctor Who Magazine. "And that’s a very positive thing for me, coming back to the character. It gives me more room to explore him. I’m going to be recording an episode shortly where he’s questioned by the Brigadier (played by Jon Culshaw) about why he’s travelling alone – and he shuts it down very firmly. So there may be stuff going forward where we address that." He continued: “I remember when I decided to play the Doctor, when I decided to put myself forward for the role, I thought – and I think I’ve said this before – ‘Time Lord, falling through time. What’s the essential element? The essential element is that he’s never at home, he’s lonely.’ And I thought I could do that. Alongside his joy – this longing for home, this longing for companionship which is never quite fulfilled. In a way, that’s the human condition, isn’t it?” For the latest news and expert tips on getting the best deals this year, take a look at our Black Friday 2021 and Cyber Monday 2021 Eccleston has not played the character since leaving the TV series after one season back in 2005. The announcement that he would reprise the role was greeted with enthusiasm from fans – particularly since Christopher Eccleston’s Doctor is set to face the Cybermen, an iconic villain that the Ninth Doctor never got to meet during his time on BBC One’s Doctor Who. The new issue of Doctor Who Magazine is on sale now. The Ninth Doctor Adventures will be released by Big Finish between May 2021 and February 2022, with volumes available as physical purchases and digital downloads via the Big Finish website. If you’re looking for something to watch, check out our TV Guide or visit our Sci-Fi hub for all the latest news.
Listen to the RadioTimes.com Doctor Who podcast: What’s the future for Big Finish?
As the Doctor Who audio play maestros make a big change, we catch up with them to take a look back – and forward – at their unusual journey through space, time and soundwaves.
Doctor Who audio storytellers Big Finish recently hit a major milestone, landing a Guinness World Record for “longest-running science-fiction audio play series” after 22 years (aka 275 consecutive months) of releases. Now, Big Finish is looking to shake things up with a new way of cataloguing their stories – and so to find out more we invited Big Finish Chairman Jason Haigh-Ellery and Big Finish Creative Director Nicholas Briggs to join this week’s RadioTimes.com Doctor Who podcast. Talking through the history of the company from first getting a BBC licence and convincing wary Doctors to sign on through the company’s darkest hour (which also happened to be Doctor Who in general’s brightest), Nick and Jason give us the inside track on why Big Finish has continued to be such a success, and also lift the lid on their newer projects coming soon. View oEmbed on the source website With new Christopher Eccleston stories looming and plenty more exciting ranges besides, it seems clear that even after more than 20 years Big Finish is just getting started – even when it comes to signing on more modern-era Doctors like David Tennant. Watch this space… Want more Doctor Who chat? Check out our exclusive behind-the-scenes guide to how Vincent and the Doctor came to be, or the latest leaks from series 13. You can also find more Big Finish coverage elsewhere on RadioTimes.com, including the first trailer for The Ninth Doctor Adventures starring Christopher Eccleston and new details on Russell T Davies' lost Doctor Who story that's finding new life as an audio drama. Doctor Who returns to BBC One in late 2020. Want something else to watch? Check out our full TV Guide or our dedicated Sci-Fi page.
Doctor Who monthly audio range from Big Finish lands Guinness World Records title
A new story has been released for an incredible 275 consecutive months.
Big Finish has landed a Guinness World Record for the longest-running science fiction audio play series, after releasing a brand-new Doctor Who monthly adventure for 275 consecutive months. The company released its first Doctor Who story in the range all the way back in July 1999, and have delivered a new adventure every month since, featuring storylines for the Fifth, Sixth, Seventh and Eighth Doctors. The 275th story, 'The End of the Beginning', marks the final release in the Main Range, with Big Finish set to alter their strategy going forward by releasing regular boxsets for each Doctor throughout the year instead. Speaking about the world record, Big Finish Chairman Jason Haigh-Ellery said, “When we began the monthly audio adventures of Doctor Who in July 1999 we hoped we would make it to three years. If we’d achieved that we would have been more than happy. “22 years later we have produced 275 productions and we are all so proud of the many amazing stories that we have had the opportunity to tell. As the series regenerates into a new range of box sets for each individual Doctor, we look forward to telling new stories in a new format and taking further adventures in the TARDIS.” Big Finish Creative Director and voice of the Daleks Nicholas Briggs added, “There’s something magical about the words 'Guinness World Records', so I’m delighted that the achievement of so many brilliant Big Finish creatives is being deservedly marked and celebrated in this way.” And the Fifth, Sixth, Seventh and Eighth Doctors all chimed in to congratulate Big Finish, with Peter Davison saying, "Congratulations Big Finish on such a crowning achievement. Who could have known, when we recorded Sirens of Time back in 1999, where these adventures would take us? Who could have known I’d still be so young and dashing all these years later? "The companions, the adversaries, and the stories have all been wonderful and, as always, I’m looking forward to my next adventure.” Colin Baker added, “It’s hard to believe that the Big Finish Monthly Adventures started at the end of the last century. I was in from the Big Beginning, through the Big Middle and was delighted to appear in the Big Finish monthlies’ Big Finish recently. "This is a fitting and richly deserved commemoration of that exciting journey and the brilliant writing and wonderful work of all involved. The adventures continue in another form and I am looking forward to them. I hope they never Finish, but if they do – it will be BIG.” Meanwhile, Sylvester McCoy said, “40 years ago in a show called An Evening with Sylvester McCoy – The Human Bomb, we pretended I was in the Guinness World Records book. That was a lie! Now, by association with Big Finish, I am in it. That’s the truth! Brilliant! I’m so proud to be, and so proud to be in the company of all who share this honour.” And finally Paul McGann added, “It was an honour to start my journey at Big Finish with the Monthly Adventures, and to have had the chance to continue playing the Eighth Doctor for so many years since. The creativity of the writers, directors, producers and all the guest actors never ceases to amaze me. Here's to many more future adventures.” All 275 Doctor Who – The Monthly Adventures are available from the Big Finish website, from just £2.99 per adventure. If you’re looking for something to watch, check out our TV Guide or visit our Sci-Fi hub for all the latest news.
Doctor Who's Christopher Eccleston is “entirely open” to a Master or River Song crossover with the Ninth Doctor
The star made the comments while answering fan questions for Big Finish.
Christopher Eccleston has revealed he would be “entirely open” to the idea of the Ninth Doctor meeting The Master or River Song in a future audio adventure. The actor made the comments while fielding fan questions in a Big Finish YouTube video ahead of his return to the character in the highly anticipated The Ninth Doctor Adventures in May. Asked if he would like his character to meet either of the iconic Doctor Who figures, Eccleston admitted that, while his knowledge of the pair was limited, he would definitely be up for the idea. "I don't really know much about The Master and River Song, but my Doctor is happy to meet anybody, so I'm entirely open," he said. During the video, Eccleston also answered a question about what made him return to the character after such a long gap, explaining that the deciding factor was that it was paid work during a pandemic – even if "it might not be fashionable to say it". He added, "After that, it was the quality of the writing. It's always scripts and writers that attract me to projects and the quality of Big Finish's writers is so high, it's been a joyous experience." For the latest news and expert tips on getting the best deals this year, take a look at our Black Friday 2021 and Cyber Monday 2021 guides. Eccleston has not played the character since leaving the TV series after one season back in 2005 and when his return was announced back in August 2020, it was greeted with tremendous enthusiasm from fans. In the series, Christopher Eccleston’s Doctor is set to face the Cybermen – an iconic villain that the Ninth Doctor never got to meet during his time on BBC One’s Doctor Who. The Ninth Doctor Adventures will be released by Big Finish between May 2021 and February 2022, with volumes available as physical purchases and digital downloads via the Big Finish website. If you’re looking for something to watch, check out our TV Guide or visit our Sci-Fi hub for all the latest news.
Christopher Eccleston reveals why he finally returned to Doctor Who for Big Finish adventure
The Doctor Who star, who played the Ninth Doctor in 2005, has explained why he returned to the character for Big Finish's audio drama.
Doctor Who's Christopher Eccleston has explained why he reprised his role as the Ninth Doctor in a Big Finish audio drama, saying that now was "the right time" to return to the character. The A Word star, who played The Doctor in the BBC One show for just one series in 2005, told Doctor Who Magazine that he'd been asked to return as the Time Lord before, but it hadn't worked out. "I'd been asked on a few occasions, but it wasn't the right time because of various things about where I was in my personal life and professional life. And then it became the right time. "We talked about it at the convention, and then they contacted Sara Elman, who's my VoiceOver agent. I had a look at the scripts and I was really encouraged by the quality of them. And here we are." On why he wanted to revisit the Doctor Who character, he added: "What convinces a bricklayer to build a wall? What convinces a plumber to plumb? What convinces you to do your job? First of all, I mean, it's not a fashionable thing to say – and because we're all English, we don't talk about these things – but I'm an actor, and the way I pay my mortgage and support my children in by acting. So it's paid work. "Secondly, as I've always said, I have a great love for the character. I've always said that." Eccleston was the first actor to play The Doctor in Russell T Davies' reboot of the sci-fi classic, with the Ninth Doctor heading on his intergalactic travels alongside much-loved companion Rose Tyler (Billie Piper) and her boyfriend Micky Smith (Noel Clarke). On reprising his character on a day-to-day basis after 16 years, Eccleston said that "it's nice to play a hero". For the latest news and expert tips on getting the best deals this year, take a look at our Black Friday 2021 and Cyber Monday 2021 guides. "It's nice to play somebody who has all the answers. It’s nice to play an enthusiast. And it’s nice to play somebody who’s front foot and confident. And warm! It’s a gift to play it, as every actor who’s ever had the role will tell you. This is a hero who doesn’t take himself too seriously, and who is filled with love. It’s a joyous thing to do." In The Ninth Doctor Adventures, Eccleston's Doctor is set to face the Cybermen – an iconic villain that the Ninth Doctor never got to meet during his time on BBC One's Doctor Who. The Ninth Doctor Adventures will be released by Big Finish between May 2021 and February 2022, with volumes available as physical purchases and digital downloads via the Big Finish website. If you’re looking for something to watch, check out our TV Guide or visit our Sci-Fi hub for all the latest news.
New details revealed for Russell T Davies’ "lost" upcoming Doctor Who story
Mind of the Hodiac was a script written by Davies in 1986, and will now form an audio adventure starring Colin Baker.
Russell T Davies is finally making a scripted return to Doctor Who – well, sort of. You see, for former showrunner hasn’t actually penned a new script for the BBC sci-fi drama, instead unearthing an unpublished adventure he wrote in the 1980s around 20 years before he revived the series with Christopher Eccleston. In January, it was revealed that the recovered script was being turned into a Big Finish audio adventure – and now Davies and Emily Cook (the journalist and producer whose virtual Doctor Who watchalongs inspired Davies to dig out the script) have given more details about what Mind of the Hodiac will entail. “I was preparing for Emily Cook’s Doctor Who tweetalong for The Runaway Bride, reached for the script, pulled an old stack of papers out of a box... and there was Mind of the Hodiac!” Davies said in a release. “A story written back in ‘86 on an electric typewriter in a bedsit in Roath, Cardiff. The only copy! “I’d forgotten all about it. It’s one whole hour-long episode, plus a detailed synopsis of the second, final episode. Starring the Sixth Doctor and Mel! “It’s a galaxy-spanning adventure, as the mysterious Hodiac begins a deadly hunt, putting an ordinary Earth family in terrible danger. There are psychic powers, Tungsten Warriors and a vital role for the Doctor’s coat..." “When Russell told me he’d rediscovered his forgotten Doctor Who script, it was like finding buried treasure,” producer Emily Cook added. “We joked that it would inevitably become a Big Finish release. And a few enthusiastic emails later, the wheels were already in motion. “It was Russell’s Doctor Who which introduced me to – and made me fall in love with – the show in 2005, so I’m thrilled to be producing his first-ever Doctor Who script. I can’t wait to bring Mind of the Hodiac to life on audio and I hope fans are intrigued and excited to hear it. What a wonderful thing to come out of lockdown!” For the latest news and expert tips on getting the best deals this year, take a look at our Black Friday 2021 and Cyber Monday 2021 According to Big Finish, Doctor Who – The Lost Stories: Mind of the Hodiac will star original actors Colin Baker and Bonnie Langford as their characters from the era Davies was writing for, in a two-part story written and adapted by Davies and Scott Handcock. The release date for the story is currently set for an undisclosed period in 2022, with pre-orders for digital downloads of CD box sets of Mind of the Hodiac already available for pre-order. And for fans of Davies’ era of Doctor Who, it’s sure to be a special treat when this lost script finally comes to life. Doctor Who – The Lost Stories: Mind of the Hodiac will be released in early 2022 by Big Finish. Check out more Sci-Fi stories on our dedicated page, or find other TV shows in our TV Guide.
Time Lord Victorious: Full list of Doctor Who releases
The multi-platform story will cross over from books, audio dramas, comics and more – and here’s where you can check out every piece of the story.
Time Lord Victorious has begun its epic reveal, and there's already a mass of stories, games, action figures and more (including an animated Dalek spin-off) as we head towards even more announcements and debuts. Yes, the big new crossover Doctor Who project (which will star the Eighth, Ninth and Tenth Doctors alongside companions, villains and new characters) is set to be quite the undertaking, with various Who spin-off companies uniting to tell one sprawling story. These companies include (deep breath): Penguin Random House, BBC Books, Titan Comics, Doctor Who Magazine, Big Finish productions, BBC Audio, action figure company Eaglemoss Hero Collector, Immersive Everywhere, Maze Theory (who made the last Doctor Who VR game) and escape room maestros Escape Hunt. "Time Lord Victorious will tell a new and untold story, set within the Dark Times at the start of the universe, when even the Eternals were young," the BBC said in a release. "Following several Doctors across space and time as they defend their home planet from a terrible race, this is a story like no other." But how can we keep up with all the releases, we hear you ask? How could we possibly keep abreast of what Paul McGann, Christopher Eccleston and David Tennant’s Time Lords will get up to across so many different mediums? Well, we’ve got you covered. We’ll be adding the Time Lord Victorious releases as and when they’re announced in this very article, updating regularly so Whovians everywhere can keep on top of the massive project. And there's also this handy-dandy timeline overview (above) revealed on the Time Lord Victorious website if you're interested in seeing it all at a glance. Going by order of release, here’s what’s been announced already… A Dalek Awakens by Escape Hunt Available now The Dalek-themed escape room that launched in early March 2020 seems to have been retrospectively named as a part of Time Lord Victorious, with the puzzle-packed experience technically kicking off the whole crossover. Having played the story, we didn't detect too many overt crossovers, but we're sure they're there if you look hard enough... Doctor Who: A Dalek Awakens is now ready to play in Escape Hunt locations around the UK. Check ticket availability here Time Lord Victorious: Defender of the Daleks #1 by Titan comics Available September 2nd 2020 When the Doctor faces his ancient foes once again, it soon becomes clear that things aren't what they seem – time is all wrong and something is coming that terrifies even the Daleks. This issue kicks off a special two-part story that will see David Tennant’s Doctor take on the Daleks (again), set some time ahead of the main Time Lord Victorious storyline but giving hints towards that larger project. “Titan’s comic story is quite unique, as it features the Tenth Doctor as seen in the recent Thirteenth Doctor comic series, so he's not reached his so-called victory over time yet,” said Doctor Who Comics editor Jake Devine. “But what has been fun to explore is the Doctor getting a glimpse of what's to come and foreshadowing his own dark turn.” Written by Jody Houser and illustrated by Roberta Ingranata, the first issue will have five alternate covers, some of which you can see above. Doctor Who: The Official Annual 2021 - Penguin Random House Children's and BBC Studios Available September 3rd 2020 While the BBC's official annual will largely concern itself with the current BBC series and its line-up (i.e. Jodie Whittaker and her TARDIS team), it has been revealed that the annual will include "an exclusive tie-in to the Time Lord Victorious story." Exactly what this tie-in consists of remains to be seen - it could be some sort of comic, short story or something less extensive only hinting at the TLV arc - but for completists, we're sure it'll still be worth picking up a copy. Monstrous Beauty #1 from Doctor Who Magazine Available September 17th 2020 "All I know about this time are fairy tales – and every single one of them is terrifying..." This new comic strip will kick off in a special Doctor Who Magazine supplement bundled with issue 556 and continue with the two subsequent issues, and follows the Ninth Doctor and Rose when they accidentally land in The Dark Times. A synopsis reads: The Ninth Doctor and Rose find themselves in a place where no TARDIS is ever supposed to go - the Dark Times; an ancient era forbidden to all Time Lords. The universe is young but war has already been born: The Vampire Alliance is swarming across the cosmos, consuming everything in its path. The Doctor discovers that not all the stories surrounding Time Lord history match up with reality – but some of the horrors are actually worse than the myths. Rose becomes the first human in existence – and that’s a very dangerous thing to be… “I’m really excited to get a chance to do a Ninth Doctor and Rose story," writer Scott Gray (who created the strip with artist John Ross) said. "John Ross and I did the comic strip in the 2006 Doctor Who Annual (Mr Nobody) and we had a fantastic time with those characters – there’s a real energy to their relationship. I was sorry they left the mag so soon, and it’s been terrific revisiting them now.” The Knight, the Fool and the Dead from BBC Books Available October 1st 2020 In the first Time Lord Victorious novel, David Tennant's Tenth Doctor takes on death itself, as you can see in the summary below. “We live forever, barring accidents. Just like everyone else in the universe.” The Doctor travels back to the Dark Times, an era where life flourishes and death is barely known... Then come the Kotturuh – creatures who spread through the cosmos dispensing mortality. They judge each and every species and decree its allotted time to live. For the first time, living things know the fear of ending. And they will go to any lengths to escape this grim new spectre, death. The Doctor is an old hand at cheating death. Now, at last, he can stop it at source. He is coming for the Kotturuh, ready to change everything so that life wins from the start. Not just the last of the Time Lords. The Time Lord Victorious. Largely kicking off the main Time Lord Victorious story, The Knight, The Fool and the Dead also seems to feature "Brian the Ood," a character who later returns (or preturns, given that it's set earlier in the Doctor's life) in the Paul McGann Big Finish trilogy (below). Doctor Who: The Knight, The Fool and The Dead costs £9.99 available for pre-order here Doctor Who - Time Lord Victorious: Short Trips: Master Thief / Lesser Evils from Big Finish Available October 7th 2020 Audio story company Big Finish has been telling spin-off Doctor Who adventures for years, and they’re kicking off their entry into Time Lord Victorious with a duo of standalone “Short Trips” stories, starring Jon Culshaw as two different versions of the Master. The first, called Master Thief is penned by Sophie Iles and stars Culshaw as Roger Delgado’s original Master. The plot summary reads: The Master wants to plunder one of the most secure vaults in the universe, the Repository. He’s got a plan, and a deadly new weapon to assist him. However, as the Master quickly discovers, getting in might be easy, but getting away with it might cost him everything. Meanwhile, the second (by Simon Guerrier) is called Lesser Evils, and has Culshaw imitating Anthony Ainley’s version of the villainous Time Lord. The Kotturuh have arrived on the planet Alexis to distribute the gift of the death to its inhabitants. The only person standing in their way is a renegade Time Lord, who has sworn to protect the locals. A Time Lord called the Master... Clearly, this second story will tie into the death-dealing Koturruh introduced in the first Tenth Doctor book above, giving a suggestion at just how interwoven the whole Time Lord Victorious storyline will be. The Doctor Who – Short Trips are also available to pre-order now and will be released in October 2020 on download (£4.99), or as part of a Time Lord Victorious bundle with the Paul McGann trilogy, below (£26). Time Lord Victorious: Defender of the Daleks #2 by Titan comics Available October 8th 2020 The second part of the Tenth Doctor Dalek story will be released a month or so after the first issue, and will continue the story of David Tennant's Doctor working with his greatest foes. Time Lord Victorious #2 is now available to pre-order globally from July’s Diamond Previews catalogue and on digital device via Comixology. Doctor Who - Time Lord Victorious: He Kills Me, He Kills Me Not Available October 14th 2020 The first of Big Finish’s main audio entries into the Time Lord Victorious milieu will star Paul McGann’s Eighth Doctor as he takes on a deadly new villain – Brian the Ood. On the desert world of Atharna, the Doctor’s life is about to be changed forever. Looking to visit one of the Seven Hundred Wonders of the Universe, he’s quickly embroiled in a web of deceit. Worse than that, this Wonder of the Universe is missing, and the Doctor is about to encounter one of his most dangerous and duplicitous adversaries. The Doctor is about to meet Brian. The story is written by Carrie Thompson, and is available for pre-order from the Big Finish website. "Time Lord Victorious has been a glorious delight to work on,” said producer Alfie Shaw. “We have three new authors writing the Eighth Doctor trilogy, pitting him against one of my new favourite characters in Doctor Who, Brian the Ood Assassin, as well old favourites, the Daleks." Speaking of which… Monstrous Beauty #2 from Doctor Who Magazine The second instalment of the Christopher Eccleston/Billie Piper comic strip is released in Doctor Who Magazine issue #557. “The brief was: ‘Ninth Doctor, Rose, Vampires!’" writer Scott Gray said of the story. "Monstrous Beauty can be read as a standalone adventure, but if you look further into the Time Lord Victorious storyline you’ll see how it connects with the other strands.” Dalek Drone/Dalek Emperor Figurines - Eaglemoss/ Hero Collector Available October 20th 2020 Want some physical representations of the Time Lord Victorious fun along with the audio and written stories? Well from late October you can, with Hero Collector releasing four box sets of character figurines based on the Time Lord Victorious crossover. Each of the four Time Lord Victorious box sets will contain two hand-painted polyresin figurines at 1:21 scale (i.e. about 3.5 inches tall) and a companion magazine, kicking off with a Dalek Drone and Dalek Emperor. The first set will sell at £19.99/$34.95 RRP, and is available for pre-order from Entertainment Earth. Shortly followed by... Dalek Commander and Dalek Scientist Figurines - Eaglemoss/ Hero Collector Available November 1st 2020 The second box of figurines will also include Daleks of different stripes – including a Dalek "Time" Commander – though we don't currently have pictures of what they'll look like. Doctor Who - Time Lord Victorious: The Enemy of My Enemy Available November 11th 2020 The second of the Paul McGann Time Lord Victorious story (aka Time Lord Vic-Story-Us) will see him take on classic foes the Daleks as they begin to form a treaty with another race. The people of Wrax are happy to begin peaceful negotiations with the Dalek Empire. The two species are preparing to engage in an alliance that will last throughout the ages. The only one who seems to object to this happy union is the Doctor. He knows that you can never trust the Daleks. But more than that, he knows that the Wraxians should never have existed… With Nicholas Briggs returning as the voice of the Daleks, the story is written by Tracy Ann Baines and is available for pre-order now. Monstrous Beauty #3 from Doctor Who Magazine Available November 12th The third and final instalment of the Ninth Doctor/Rose comic strip will be released with Doctor Who Magazine issue #558. Dalek Executioner and Dalek Strategist Figurines - Eaglemoss/ Hero Collector Available November 23rd Yet more Dalek characters featured in various David Tennant/Paul McGann stories from the Time Lord Victorious collection will be released in the third collection of figurines. Doctor Who - Time Lord Victorious: Echoes of Extraction Available November 27th on vinyl, December 4th for download David Tennant makes his Time Lord Victorious arrival by co-starring with Paul McGann in this unique double-sided audio adventure, which sees both Time Lords tackle the same foe at different times in an interlinked story. The twist? You can listen to them in any order. A synopsis reads: Trapped, a haunted monster waits to consume new victims. It needs help. It needs a doctor. Unfortunately, it also needs to kill whoever it meets. Thrust into immediate danger, and on the back-foot, it will take all of the Doctor’s ingenuity to triumph. Two interlinked adventures. Two Doctors. One foe. Tennant and McGann's versions of the story will be presented on either side of a vinyl record, with audiences encouraged to listen to them in whichever preference they desire. "The script is fascinating," David Tennant said. "I've only got one side of it, but I'm very aware there's more to this story, that there's another Doctor on the other side of the disc. I look forward to getting my LP so I can listen to it all." "I've read this script twice through and I'm still none the wiser," added Paul McGann. "I'm more confused after the second time than I was after the first. It's only while working on it that I've become aware of how it's going to be structured. "It really appeals to me, the idea that it's in two parts, on two sides of vinyl. I think it's fun for people listening. Part of the excitement is when the different incarnations meet... or nearly meet." Written by Alfie Shaw, the story will also star Doctor Who star Arthur Darvill, Torchwood's Burn Gorman, Mina Anwar ( The Sarah Jane Adventures), Kathryn Drysdale (Two Pints of Lager and a Packet of Crisps) and Paul Clayton (The Crown). Doctor Who: Time Lord Victorious - Echoes of Extinction will initially be available on vinyl in selected ASDA stores across the UK from 27th November 2020. A digital download of the story will be available globally from the Big Finish website from 4th December and is now available for pre-order at £8.99. Daleks! from the Doctor Who YouTube channel Now this is exciting - in perhaps the biggest Time Lord Victorious release of all it's been revealed that an animated Doctor Who spin-off is coming, with Daleks! arriving on the Doctor Who YouTube channel some time in November. Starring the same Daleks who appear elsewhere in Time Lord Victorious (see above, most notably the Hero Collector Figurines) and voiced by regular Dalek actor Nicholas Briggs, the five-part series (with episodes 10 minutes long) will be completely free, setting it apart from most of the rest of the Time Lord Victorious project. View oEmbed on the source website “It’s the Daleks just up to no good in a full-action, really colourful, exciting animation with a really intriguing plot,” Briggs exclusively told RadioTimes.com. “Normally when you think of the Daleks, there needs to be the Doctor there to battle – but it can work with just the Daleks encountering other beings and having exciting adventures." Also starring Joe Sugg, Anjli Mohindra and Antione Ayesha, it certainly looks like Daleks! will be an unmissable piece of Time Lord Victorious. Doctor Who: The Minds of Magnox from BBC Audio Available December 3rd 2020 Narrated by Jacob, Dudman, this new audio story from BBC Audio will see Tennant's Tenth Doctor (and Brian the Ood) head to the world of Magnox to find out some crucial information. A synopsis reads: In this original story, the Doctor travels with Brian, the Ood assassin, to the planet Magnox, one of the greatest receptacles of knowledge the universe will ever know, and home to the Minds of Magnox. The Doctor needs to ask a vital question, but the answer is Grade 1 Classified. In order to gain an audience with the Minds of Magnox he must take a dangerous test. Meanwhile, Brian gets involved with a criminal group and is asked to assassinate the Minds of Magnox. However, others also have the planet within their sights… The story is written by Darren Jones, will also be available on vinyl and is available for pre-order now. Doctor Who - Time Lord Victorious: Mutually Assured Destruction Available December 9th 2020 Apparently following on from the previous Big Finish story, Mutually Assured Destruction (written by Lizzie Hopley) finds the Eighth Doctor trapped on a disintegrating spaceship with another load of Daleks, possibly tying in closely with the following David Tennant book release. The fallout of the great battle. Outnumbered and alone, on a Dalek time-ship careering through the vortex, the Doctor must use all his cunning to survive. As the saucer disintegrates around them, the Doctor is trapped with a crew of increasingly desperate Daleks. Or are the Daleks trapped with him? But how important is it that Who fans have followed the whole TLV story before picking up this McGann trilogy? Producer Alfie Shaw says it can also stand alone. "It all ties into the bigger Time Lord Victorious patchwork, but you can just listen to the McGann Trilogy and enjoy it on its own," he said. Each adventure in the Eighth Doctor trilogy is now available to pre-order as a single-disc collector’s edition (£10.99) or download (£8.99) from the Big Finish website. A bundle of all three stories can also be pre-ordered on CD (£25) or download (£22). All Flesh is Grass from BBC Books Available December 10th 2020 Following both the original Tenth Doctor novel, the Eighth Doctor trilogy and the Ninth Doctor comic strips, All Flesh is Grass appears to join all three Time Lords - after their previous adventures, with McGann's incarnation now working with the Daleks he was trapped with and Tennant's Doctor swearing to destroy the death-dealing Kotturuh. “Even a Time Lord can’t change the past.” A wasteland. A dead world… No, there is a biodome rising from the ashes. Here, life teems and flourishes, with strange, lush plants and many-winged insects with bright carapaces – and one solitary sentient creature, who spends its days talking to the insects and tending this lonely garden. This is Inyit, the Last of the Kotturuh. In All Flesh is Grass we are transported back to The Dark Times. The Tenth Doctor has sworn to stop the Kotturuh, ending death and bringing life to the universe. But his plan is unravelling – instead of bringing life, nothing has changed and all around him people are dying. Death is everywhere. Now he must confront his former selves – one in league with their greatest nemesis and the other manning a ship of the undead… Doctor Who: All Flesh is Grass costs £9.99 and is available for pre-order here. Time Lord Victorious and Brian the Ood Figurines - Eaglemoss/ Hero Collector Available 1st March 2021 The last two-figurine box will feature David Tennant’s Tenth Doctor in the “ornate and war-torn Gallifreyan robes” seen in various Time Lord Victorious artwork, as well as Brian the Ood assassin - though once again, pictures have not yet been released to show off the new-look characters. Doctor Who: Time Fracture - Immersive Everywhere View oEmbed on the source website Available February 2021, tickets on sale now Want to live a part of the Time Lord Victorious story? A new immersive experience in London might just help you do that, with Time Fracture (from Immersive Everywhere) reportedly set to tie into the wider Time Lord Victorious story. A blurb for the experience reads: 1940 – it’s the height of the Blitz. A weapon of unknown origin destroys a small corner of Mayfair, and simultaneously opens up a rift in space and time. For decades, UNIT has fought to protect the people of Earth from the dangers it poses, but they’ve been beaten back as the fracture multiplies out of control. Earth as we know it is at stake – now is the time for you to step up and be the hero. Travelling to impossible places, confronting menacing monsters and ancient aliens along the way, it’s a journey across space and time to save our race, and our beautiful planet. At time of writing it's unclear whether the ongoing coronavirus pandemic will impact this immersive experience in any way - it was certainly delayed from a planned autumn 2020 start date, but it may affect how the experience is realised as well. "Placed at the heart of the story, audiences will meet Daleks, Cybermen, Time Lords and many other strange and mysterious characters as they travel across space and time to discover amazingly realised worlds and undertake a mission to save the universe as we know it," a press release reads. And this long list isn't all! Over the coming weeks we’re expecting more book, audio and comic-book announcements as well as games, immersive experiences, figurines, escape rooms and more. Check back here for updates as and when we have them. And if you're looking for more to watch, check out our handy TV Guide.
Hear Doctor Who stars Tom Baker and David Tennant together in Out of Time audio adventure
The Fourth Doctor and the Tenth Doctor unite to battle the Daleks in the Big Finish story.
Big Finish productions have teased the first meeting of the Fourth Doctor (Tom Baker) and the Tenth Doctor (David Tennant) in Doctor Who: Out of Time with a new audio trailer. The double Doctor Who audio episodes are available for pre-order and will (possibly) be released before the end of August. In the new adventure the Doctors unite to battle the Daleks in what’s being called “the first of an explosive new full-cast audio drama series” from Big Finish. Future editions will pair other Doctors from the iconic franchise, while it was recently announced that Christopher Eccleston would rejoin the Doctor Who family in 12 adventures as the Ninth Doctor. In Doctor Who: Out of Time the Doctors find themselves in the Cathedral of Contemplation, which is "spinning... outside of history". However, the "unstoppable" Daleks are determined force their way inside. Baker's Doctor has wisdom to call on. "In my experience no one's ever unstoppable. Only ever unreasonable." He later comments that Tennant seems very well-informed and asks him what his occupation is. "A doctor. A travelling doctor, much like yourself," replies Tennant. View oEmbed on the source website As the Doctors fight to keep the Daleks out of the cathedral, the Fourth Doctor warns that if the Daleks breach the doors they will "have the means to go anywhere and anywhen". The foes, for their part, threaten: "With this device the Daleks will win this war. And all wars!" Writer Matt Fritton explained why he chose the Daleks as the nemeses for Baker and Tennant: "I thought putting them up against the Daleks – the Doctor’s most persistent enemy – would bring out all the ways in which they are at once the same Time Lord – and also very different versions too." Doctor Who fans were excited to hear the first fruits of the collaboration. View oEmbed on the source website Are you as excited as this fan? "Its only arguably the 2 most popular Doctors of their respective eras MEETING FOR THE FIRST TIME." View oEmbed on the source website Big Finish are yet to announce the actual release date, but we will bring you an update as soon as the big moment arrives. If you're looking for more to watch, check out our TV guide.
See Doctor Who trailer teasing Christopher Eccleston's return as The Ninth Doctor
Fans were ecstatic at the news The Ninth Doctor will return for more adventures.
Doctor Who fans have reacted with almost unanimous joy at the news The Ninth Doctor, Christopher Eccleston, is returning for a series of new audio adventures, teased by a new trailer. Big Finish Productions in association with BBC Studios announced on Sunday that Eccleston would return for 12 more adventures in space and time, due to be released in four box-sets with volume one arriving in May 2021. Big Finish teased Eccleston's return to Doctor Who with a trailer promoting the news. View oEmbed on the source website Big Finish said that details about storylines, writers and additional guest cast were not being released yet, but that didn't stop Whovians from expressing their delight and imagining what form The Doctor's adventures would take. View oEmbed on the source website As this poster acknowledged, The First Doctor in the modern reboot remained very popular. "It's been a while since anything Doctor Who related has received pretty much unanimous support and reaction," he wrote. View oEmbed on the source website Another fan had always "hoped Christopher Eccleston would return to #DoctorWho someday", adding that "cynics may suggest money is a driving force, however it is clear to me he always loved the role and appreciated the continued affection and loyalty of the fans". View oEmbed on the source website Many were fantasising about a dream scenario in which their favourite doctors from the modern version of Doctor Who would join forces for the 60th anniversary in 2023. Eccleston did not take part in the 50th anniversary in 2013. View oEmbed on the source website Eccleston regenerated as The Ninth Doctor in 2005 and for many Whovians his return would take them back to their childhoods and would be "exciting and nostalgic". View oEmbed on the source website A small number of fans were sniffy about the audio format for his return, but others were simply ecstatic he was returning. This tweeter echoed the sentiment of many: "WHO CARES IN WHAT FORMAT!? Let's just be grateful hes back!" View oEmbed on the source website Eccleston originally starred in 13 episodes when Doctor Who was brought back to mainstream television in 2005 after a 16-year absence. He revealed that he only stayed one series because his relationship with his “three immediate superiors… broke down irreparably” during filming. Although he declined to be a part of the 50th anniversary celebrations, in recent years he has begun attending conventions and Doctor Who fan events and revealed in his memoir that this engagement had “healed” him. Find something to watch tonight with our TV Guide
Doctor Who: David Tennant and Alex Kingston to reunite for new Tenth Doctor/River Song adventures
Ever wondered what happened between the Doctor and River Song in their earlier adventures?
“Hello Sweetie…” – in a surprise Doctor Who reunion, David Tennant’s fan-favourite Tenth Doctor is set to team up with Alex Kingston’s River Song for a new series of adventures, filling in the gaps of the relationship previously set up in 2008 episodes Silence in the Library/Forest of the Dead. Released by audio drama company Big Finish and recorded in lockdown, Doctor Who: The Tenth Doctor and River Song will star Tennant and Kingston in a collection of stories set after their first meeting but before River’s adventures with Matt Smith’s Eleventh Doctor, as depicted on TV in the 2010-2013 series. "The Tenth Doctor only met River Song once on TV, and that was at the end of her life," producer David Richardson said. "But what happened after/before that, after/before the Eleventh Doctor came on the scene?" Well, now we’re about to find out. Tennant and Kingston will star in three adventures for Big Finish this November, beginning with a story called Expiry Dating by James Goss and followed by Lizzie Hopley’s Precious Annihilation and Jonathan Morris’ Ghosts. The stories will see the Doctor and River tackle deadly jewels, haunted planets and a series of time-and-space "dates", and you can check out the blurb for the whole thing below: The Doctor knows that River Song is a part of his future. A maddening, intriguing, but inevitable part. Their lives are becoming inextricably intertwined, but in these early days – for the Doctor at least – they must navigate their relationship without too many spoilers. Whatever her past, and the Doctor’s future, holds, River will make sure that he has fun untangling the mystery... Also starring Peter Davison and Colin Baker as the Fifth and Sixth Doctors in special guest roles, the episodes were recorded from home by Tennant, Kingston and the other cast, with Big Finish releasing new images of the process (below). "What a joy this run of stories was to make, bringing David Tennant and Alex Kingston together online to record during lockdown, exploring those previously untold meetings between Ten and River," Richardson said. "Those two actors absolutely sparkled together - it was so clear they were having a blast!" All three episodes are now available to pre-order from the Big Finish website ahead of a release in November 2020, either as physical CDs, downloads or individual releases, and if you want a bit more information about what the stories entail you can check out the synopses below. Assuming you don’t mind a few "spoilers" of course… Expiry Dating by James Goss The first time the Doctor met River Song, he saw her die. And now she’s asking him on a date. Well, not a date, exactly... More of a mission. But the Doctor isn’t at anyone’s beck and call. Or so he thinks. With billions of lives hanging in the balance, can the Doctor afford not to do whatever River wants? Whichever one of him she asks? Precious Annihilation by Lizzie Hopley When jewels become lethal in the London of 1912, both River and the Doctor turn up to find out why. A mystery takes them centuries into the past, and onto the high seas, where a superstitious crew edges towards mutiny. The star-crossed couple are about to find out that, while gemstones inspire jealousy, love can be the deadliest treasure of all... Ghosts by Jonathan Morris River and the Doctor meet on the most haunted planet in the galaxy. The Doctor’s not sure it’s an ideal date - until they discover a mystery. Something is wrong with the ghosts. Something might even be killing them... And as the Doctor and River investigate, the truth of what’s happening on the planet of ghosts may prove deadly for them both. Doctor Who: The Tenth Doctor and River Song is now available to pre-order as a collector’s edition four-disc CD box set or as a download from the Big Finish website. The drama will be released in November 2020.
Doctor Who's Nicholas Briggs reveals why new series The Human Frontier is a "leap in the dark" for Big Finish
The sci-fi thriller - available now - looks to tackle timely issues against a futuristic backdrop.
Best known for their range of Doctor Who audio adventures, Big Finish launched a series of new original productions in 2018 – the latest, from the mind of Doctor Who voice artist and Big Finish creative director Nicholas Briggs, is The Human Frontier, an intergalactic thriller with themes that nonetheless hit home on Earth in 2020. Speaking to RadioTimes.com, Briggs describes The Human Frontier as "a leap in the dark", a series unlike anything Big Finish has attempted before in the past two decades. "I mean, it's science-fiction and we've done a lot of that, but it's adult," he explains. "I asked my wife to describe it and she said it was like a grown-up Lost in Space with a bit of His Dark Materials thrown in. I've talked about The Expanse, which I liked... it's of that ilk." View oEmbed on the source website The series follows two sets of Earth colonists, both setting out to colonise an alien planet in the far-flung future – one crew takes the long route, sleeping for 1000 years, in secret, on a ship called The Human Frontier, while a second crew sets off hundreds of years later, at hyper speed. Technological advancements mean the second crew arrives first and when the sleepers arrive on planet MD492, they find the planet has already been occupied for 300 years. "I thought about how human beings from different eras are very, very different," Briggs says. "I mean, what would it actually be like – really, not in a Doctor Who way – if you had someone from the 1600s suddenly turn up here, or for us to really go back there? It would be almost impossible for them to relate to each other, because their assumptions about life, and everything, would be so different so I thought, well, in a science-fiction setting, how would that be?" The Human Frontier also explores ideas of control, free will and the impact that artificial intelligence will have on mankind, but Briggs adds, "I'm a great believer in it having to be a human story and it is very much a love story as well, and a break-up story, so there's that element. I would hope that someone who isn't a science-fiction fan could listen to it and relate to these people." Leading the cast of The Human Frontier are Genevieve Gaunt and Pepter Lunkuse, playing Daisy Bailey and Anna Swift. "Daisy is the commander of the Human Frontier – she's quite smart and quite sure of herself, she's in control," Gaunt tells us. "But then when Anna comes along, Daisy – who is actually her superior – kind of falls head-over-heels, so she has to somehow deal with being in charge, and also falling for this woman, and then them having a real clash of moral outlook. "I loved this kind of double element of it being quite a dangerous professional mission for my character but then also having the tension and the drama of this romance with Anna, because the personal and the professional really collide." "These people are just human," says Lunkuse. "They have emotions and they suffer the same way that we do on an everyday basis, but it's set against this incredible other world, which is the thing that makes it really exciting." View oEmbed on the source website Besides emphasising human relationships, another way in which The Human Frontier looks to route its story in the now is by tackling the topic of colonisation, putting a sci-fi slant on a very real issue as Daisy and Anna uncover the devastation humanity has wreaked on the planet Triton. "It brings up some quite important questions about taking over a new planet and the damage that can be done, which is what Anna and Daisy encounter – the damage that is done by another Earthlings to a new planet that they discover," Gaunt explains. "The colonisation of Triton, that I found really interesting because you can link that back to our own history of colonisation," Lunkuse says. "It's that thing of... in this world where we think of ourselves as liberal and we look at colonisation as something awful, is that not what we're planning on doing when we're exploring space? It does make you think – actually, are we just going to revert back?" Recorded in studio earlier this year, the four-part first series of The Human Frontier is available now to download, with Lunkuse and Gaunt both expressing an interest in reprising their characters in a sequel. "There are many possibilities," writer/director Briggs says of a possible follow-up. "We could go forwards from the point the story ends, or we could go back to when the spaceship first set off from the Earth to, or when [the hyper speed crew] first arrived on Triton to colonise it... I've got lots of ideas for potential stories!" The Human Frontier is now available as a digital download from the Big Finish website, priced £16.99
Big Finish to end monthly Doctor Who audio range in 2022 revamp
The monthly releases, which have been running continuously since 1999, are being dropped in favour of a new format.
In a major change, Doctor Who audio drama producers Big Finish have announced they will be ending their monthly range of releases. Big Finish's original Doctor Who range has been running continuously for over two decades, since the company put out its first release The Sirens of Time in 1999, but will end in 2022 with release number 275. In its place will be a regular rotation of releases, with each the Fifth, Sixth and Seventh Doctors each starring in their own box sets of adventures throughout the year. The change has been made in an effort to make Big Finish's Doctor Who output more accessible to newcomers. Big Finish chairman and executive producer Jason Haigh-Ellery said: "One comment we hear more often from new listeners is that they find it hard to know where to begin with our back catalogue of Doctor Who adventures. This change to our release schedule will make it easier for people to start. With a range for each Doctor, there will be a natural 'stepping on point' for fans." Creative director and executive producer Nicholas Briggs added: "As well as making our ranges much less confusing for Big Finish beginners, these changes will allow us more exciting new possibilities and creative freedom. "By freeing the Fifth, Sixth and Seventh Doctors from the constrictions of the Monthly Adventures schedule, and giving them their own distinct ranges, we will be able to introduce more surprising cast combinations, different story lengths, and more story arcs." Hinting at stories still to come, Senior Producer David Richardson said: "There are so many exciting new directions ahead. Where did the First Doctor and Dodo go next after leaving the planet of The Savages? What happened to the Second Doctor after The War Games? What new adventures await the Third Doctor and Sarah Jane Smith? What happened on the Seventh Doctor’s Last Day? The adventures are only just beginning..." Big Finish will be offering customers a range of different subscription offers to allow them to complete their Monthly Adventures collection, with a three-release CD / download subscription to be made available starting from release number #271, #272 or #273, priced at £32.50 for collector’s edition CDs and £27.50 for downloads. Find something to watch tonight with our TV Guide
Doctor Who audio producers Big Finish cancel summer event amid coronavrius pandemic
The audio storytelling company, who also recreate other TV shows and original dramas, have decided to postpone their Big Finish Day event in June
After previously halting production on their range of dramas, audio production company Big Finish have announced that they are postponing their annual Big Finish Day event on June 6th (which was due to take place at the Derby QUAD cinema) thanks to the worldwide coronavirus pandemic. The company, known for their Doctor Who audio adventures as well as other TV adaptations and original dramas, have offered to let fans retain their tickets for the mini-convention when it’s eventually rescheduled, though they noted that refunds were also available. “With huge regret we must announce that Big Finish Day 2020 will be postponed until further notice,” they said in a release. “Following the growing concerns around coronavirus, we are engaging fully with the guidance of the Government which now places restrictions on mass gatherings. “We care deeply about our listeners, our friends at Whoovers and Derby QUAD – and our brilliant guests and creative teams who were due to attend on 6 June.” Described as “your chance to meet the creators and stars of the many worlds of Big Finish and to catch up on any releases you may have missed,” Big Finish Day also includes includes interview panels and autograph opportunities with the stars of various dramas, as well as workshops and more. Attendees seeking refunds were urged to contact Derby QUAD’s box office directly (though the cinema is currently closed), and Big Finish noted that they were looking at alternative options to connect with fans during the current turmoil. View oEmbed on the source website “Rest assured that Big Finish is working hard with all partners to reschedule Big Finish Day, and we are also looking into options for replacement ‘virtual' events to be run online in the meantime,” the release said. “We are so sorry to have to bring you this disappointing news – we were looking forward to the day as much as you. “Your patience during this period is greatly appreciated. We are all in uncharted territory and will continue to put safety first.” At least fans still have plenty of already-recorded Big Finish dramas coming out to look forward to.. Want something to watch tonight? Try our best of Netflix list or our full TV Guide.
Doctor Who's lost Tom Baker story Return of the Cybermen is finally being released
Big Finish has adapted the adventure originally intended for Baker's first season in 1974
One of Doctor Who's most famous unmade stories will finally see the light of day courtesy of audio drama producers Big Finish. As part of their Lost Stories range, Big Finish is adapting Return of the Cybermen – an unused script by the monsters' co-creator Gerry Davis. Originally submitted in 1974 for inclusion in Doctor Who's 12th season – Tom Baker's first run of episodes – Davis's scripts were substantially rewritten by script editor Robert Holmes, eventually becoming the very different story Revenge of the Cybermen. Now, Big Finish's version (once again starring Baker) will see the original scripts brought to life for the very first time – and you can watch a terrifying teaser trailer for the production below... View Green Video on the source website Producer David Richardson said: "I’d known of Return of the Cybermen for many years, but it was only relatively recently that I was able to source Gerry Davis’s script thanks to some great detective work by archivist Richard Bignell! "John Dorney’s adaptation stays true to the original script and the era, though there have been some very minor changes to bring it in line with the kind of amends we believe Robert Holmes would have asked for. Little things that make it sit comfortably in season 12. "It’s rather different in tone to Revenge of the Cybermen - darker, scarier and more reminiscent of claustrophobic 1960s Cybermen tales like The Moonbase and The Invasion." Doctor Who: Return of the Cybermen will be released in 2021 and is now available for pre-order as a collector’s edition 2-disc box set or download from just £12.99, exclusively at bigfinish.com. Doctor Who's Nicholas Briggs responds to fans calling for Jo Martin Big Finish adventures Tom Baker will play Doctor Who's Curator again in new Big Finish adventure Sir Michael Palin will join Torchwood for a format-breaking new story from Big Finish
Doctor Who audio producers Big Finish suspend recording amid coronavirus pandemic
Recording on new releases has been halted, though "minimal disruption" is promised
Big Finish – best known for its ranges of Doctor Who audio plays – has taken the decision to suspend all recording sessions in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak. Though recording has been temporarily halted, pre- and post-production on productions already in the can will continue apace with staff working remotely. In a statement, Big Finish chairman Jason Haigh-Ellery said: "We have always worked considerably in advance – indeed some of our series have recordings dates that are up to four years in advance of their release date. So we are lucky enough to have many productions already 'in the can'. "Subsequently, pausing recordings will cause minimal disruption to this year’s releases." View oEmbed on the source website Haigh-Ellery continued: "The majority of Big Finish’s staff are freelance and work from home and so are fully able to continue to work remotely, whether writing productions for when we re-open the studios, or editing and sound designing those productions already recorded. "However, the safety of our actors is of paramount importance and, given the advice by public health experts to limit the risk of transmitting the virus, we have taken the decision to suspended our recording schedule in consultation with the studios that we use on a regular basis. "We will obviously continue to review all productions on a case-by-case basis and take further expert advice where necessary." Doctor Who's Nicholas Briggs responds to fans calling for Jo Martin Big Finish adventures Tom Baker will play Doctor Who's Curator again in new Big Finish adventure Doctor Who's Susan is getting her own spin-off from Big Finish Insisting that it's very much "business as usual for Big Finish", Haigh-Ellery added that there are currently no plans to postpone the annual Big Finish Day fan gathering at Quad, Derby, which is currently scheduled for 6th June 2020. "At the moment, it is our hope to proceed with the annual Big Finish Day... if the situation changes, we will inform those who have bought tickets as early as possible," he said. Big Finish also produce audio plays based on classic TV properties including The Prisoner and Gerry Anderson's Space: 1999 and are also branching out into original productions, including sci-fi thriller The Human Frontier written and directed by Nicholas Briggs.
Big Finish reveals cast, first-look for original series The Human Frontier from Doctor Who's Nicholas Briggs
The outer space thriller will be available to download from May 2020
Doctor Who audio drama producers Big Finish has revealed a first look and cast details for its new original series The Human Frontier – created, written and directed by Nicholas Briggs. Set for release in May 2020, The Human Frontier is described as "an epic science fiction story spanning hundreds of years of future history". Briggs – Big Finish's creative director and executive producer also known to Doctor Who fans as the voice of the Daleks – said: "The Human Frontier is a culture-clash story of people from hundreds of years apart coming face to face. It’s also a love story, a story of a struggle for power and a bit of a murder mystery too. It’s a futuristic story with all the science fiction trappings — spaceships, aliens and AI — but it’s a very human drama at its heart. “The ensemble cast features a brilliant newcomer to Big Finish, Pepter Lunkuse (as Exographer Anna Swift), and the supremely talented Genevieve Gaunt (as Commander Daisy Bailey) in pivotal roles." Alongside Lunkuse and Knightfall actress Gaunt, The Human Frontier will also star Clive Wood (Sense8), Lucy Briggs-Owen (A Confession) and Mark Elstob (star of Big Finish's The Prisoner series). A synopsis for the series reads: Two sets of Earth colonists, both setting out for the planet ND492. One crew takes the long route, sleeping for 1,000 years, in secret, on a ship called The Human Frontier. The other crew set off hundreds of years later, at hyper speed. When the sleepers wake as they approach the planet, the hyper-speed crew have been living there for 300 years already — and they have no clue the ‘sleepers’ are about to arrive. The Human Frontier is now available for pre-order as a digital download for £16.99, exclusively from bigfinish.com. The series is also available at £120 as a bundle with all Big Finish Original series, including the award-winning ATA Girl, Blind Terror (starring Eve Myles) and Transference (with Alex Kingston and Warren Brown) among others. How Doctor Who's The Haunting of Villa Diodati contradicts canon – but also doesn't Tom Baker will play Doctor Who's Curator again in new Big Finish adventure Captain Jack Harkness and River Song will finally meet in latest Doctor Who spin-off from Big Finish
Doctor Who's Mark Gatiss and Derek Jacobi will face off in a two Masters story for Big Finish
The saga of Doctor Who's War Master (Derek Jacobi) is about to conclude with a spectacular confrontation. Big Finish, producers of Doctor Who audio plays since 1999, have been chronicling the further adventures of Jacobi's Master following his TV appearance in 2007 episode 'Utopia'. In December, The War Master: Anti-Genesis will bring the range to a close, following 2017's Only The Good, last year's The Master of Callous and July's Rage of the Time Lords. Freema Agyeman is returning to her Doctor Who role of Martha Jones for Big Finish The new Space: 1999 is like Line of Duty on the moon: "It's darker, more hard-hitting" In this final boxset, the Master unleashes his most audacious plot yet – as leader of the Daleks... and it’ll take a Master from another universe to stop him... Mark Gatiss has been playing an alternative universe version of The Master for Big Finish since 2003 release Doctor Who - Unbound: Sympathy for the Devil, with Anti-Genesis seeing his incarnation cross paths with Jacobi's. Explaining the complex crossover, writer and co-script editor Nicholas Briggs said: “When producer/director Scott Handcock and I came up with the idea of there being an ‘alternative universe’ Master in the fourth War Master box set, we were very excited. "We had it in mind that if Mark Gatiss really wasn’t available that we could, in theory and desperation, invent another ‘alternative universe’ Master — but we were really hoping for Mark. And the fact that Mark could make the recording dates makes me very happy indeed. The whole relationship between Derek Jacobi's War Master and Mark’s Master is an intriguing one that gives many opportunities for stand-out performances from these great actors.” <img src="https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/3/2019/09/Franchi-Webb-Lamarius-Christopher-Harper-Kaled-Guard-Jordan-Renzo-Insloy-Seán-Carlsen-Narvin-Gavin-Swift-Crazlus-Derek-Jacobi-The-Master-and-Ben-Crystal-Soogasor-1-c6a65aa.jpg" width="4608" height="3072" alt="The War Master: Anti-Genesis - cast" title="Franchi Webb (Lamarius), Christopher Harper (Kaled Guard), Jordan Renzo (Insloy), Seán Carlsen (Narvin), Gavin Swift (Crazlus), Derek Jacobi (The Master) and Ben Crystal (Soogasor) 1" /> The War Master: Anti-Genesis will be comprised of four stories – 'From the Flames' by Nicholas Briggs, 'The Master’s Dalek Plan' by Alan Barnes, 'Shockwave' by Alan Barnes and 'He Who Wins' by Nicholas Briggs. Briggs will also voice the Daleks in the release, which will additionally see the return of recurring Big Finish character Narvin, played by Seán Carlsen, and will feature actor Jordan Renzo – who played Matteusz in the Doctor Who spin-off Class – playing a new character, Insloy. The War Master: Anti-Genesis is available for pre-order now at £22.99 on CD or £19.99 on download.
Gerry Anderson's classic Space: 1999 is being rebooted with a new cast
Line of Duty's Mark Bonnar will lead Moonbase Alpha as it hurtles through space in a new audio drama
Don your EVA suits and brace yourself for a micro-gravity nuclear explosion – Gerry Anderson’s Space: 1999 is making a comeback in a new audio story. 42 years after the classic moon drama last exploded onto our screens, Big Finish Productions is rebooting Moonbase Alpha with a new cast led by BAFTA-winning actor Mark Bonnar (Line of Duty). He’ll be playing stern and short-tempered leader John Koenig (a role originally played by Martin Landau) who commands the base as it launches out of Earth orbit due to a freak nuclear accident. Tom Baker and Adric reunite for new Doctor Who audio adventures Doctor Who departure rumours branded “nonsense” by insiders David Tennant says it would be “fun” to return for Doctor Who’s 60th anniversary "Space: 1999 and Martin Landau were two of my favourite things growing up," said Bonnar about his signing. "So my ten-year-old self was jumping up and down when I got the news that I’d been cast!" Joining Bonnar in the cast is The Alienist’s Maria Teresa Creasey as Dr Helena Russel (originally played by Barbara Bain) and Clive Hayward will voice scientist Professor Victor Bergman (portrayed by Barry Morse in the 1970s show). The audio story will be penned and directed by Doctor Who’s Nicholas Briggs (AKA voice of the Daleks). "The possibilities for this series are endless,” he said about the revival. “It’s an unplanned odyssey that starts with a catastrophe. Disparate personalities are thrown together, clinging on for dear life, finding themselves flung to the far reaches of a universe full of wonder and danger. “We’re being absolutely faithful to that central concept, but there is also an element of reinvention in this version. It will feel and sound very much like the original, but with extra dimensions and lots of surprises." The Space: 1999 revival will launch with the pilot episode Breakaway! on 13th September 2019 (the 20th anniversary of the lunar explosion, according to the in-show timeline) with four episodes expected to follow in early 2020. View oEmbed on the source website The original Space:1999 show was first aired on ITV in 1975, running for two series before it was cancelled. Although there’s been plenty of talk of rebooting the cult classic on TV – including plans for a Space: 2099 show set a century after the initial series – a screen return looks, for the moment, still lost in space. Space: 1999 Breakaway! – is available now to pre-order from Big Finish