Christopher Eccleston returns to the role of the Doctor, 15 years after leaving the BBC hit sci-fi show, Doctor Who. He will be reprising the role for 12 audio stories from Big Finish Productions. Eccleston only played the role for one season in 2005 and left the series after a “falling out” with showrunner Russell T. Davies and the show’s producers. Since then, he has been very hesitant to return to the series. He was offered a part in the 50th Anniversary special by Steven Moffat but ultimately passed on it. That decision led to the casting of legend John Hurt as a secret unknown regeneration, the War Doctor.
Due for release in May 2021, Doctor Who – The Ninth Doctor Adventures: Ravagers is the first of 4 sets starring the Ninth Doctor. Volume 1 features three tales written by Big Finish’s Creative Director, Nicholas Briggs. On a voyage of discovery once again, the Doctor finds adventure with some new friends.
Alongside the previously-announced Camilla Beeput as Nova and Jayne McKenna as Audrey, this full-cast audio drama box set also teams Eccleston up with Jamie Parker (Callan, Harry Potter and The Cursed Child) as Captain Halloran, Dan Starkey (The Paternoster Gang, Jago & Litefoot & Strax) as Marcus Aurelius Gallius, Ben Lee (Holmes & Watson) as Lieutenant Farraday, and Clare Corbett (Jenny – The Doctor’s Daughter) as the terrifying Ravagers.
Doctor Who – The Ninth Doctor Adventures: Ravagers
Big Finish has released a synopsis of the first set of the Ninth Doctor Adventures which you can read below:
On the Sphere of Freedom, the Doctor is about to shut down an evil Immersive Games business empire. He’s assisted by a valiant galley chef called Nova. But his plan spectacularly fails…
Now, the Doctor must fight back to discover what could have caused everything to go so badly wrong. His journey takes him via Piccadilly Circus in 1959, Belgium 1815, and far-flung future worlds where machine intelligence regard sentient life as mere biofuel.
Where does the mysterious old-timer Audrey fit in? Is the alien beverage Charganzi safe to drink? And is there really anything the Doctor can do to stop the entire universe from being devoured?
The three terrific tales are as follows:
Sphere of Freedom
On the Sphere of Freedom, the Doctor is about to shut down an evil Immersive Games business empire. He’s assisted by a valiant galley chef called Nova. But his plan spectacularly fails… And who exactly is Audrey?
Cataclysm
Nova is dislocated in time while the Time Eddies are out of control. Meanwhile, the Doctor is about to face the end of the universe. Or is that just the Battle of Waterloo?
Food Fight
The TARDIS is starting to get a little crowded! Audrey finds herself haunted by a ghostly Doctor.
Of joining the TARDIS as Nova, Camilla Beeput said:
“I mean, it’s Doctor Who, isn’t it? It’s iconic! It’s very energetic, it’s full of action which I really enjoy doing. And Nova is a very spunky, sparky character, she’s got a lot of attitude, she’s a lot of fun. And Chris is great, he’s so warm and friendly – the kind of person that I instantly felt like I’d known for ages, he’s got such an enveloping warmth about him.
“It’s just such a lovely environment you feel very safe working with someone like Chris who’s such a consummate professional – and that’s what it’s all about!”
Big Finish began producing original Doctor Who audio dramas back in 1999 with actors from the 1980s era of the show, including the Fifth, Sixth, and Seventh Doctors (Peter Davison, Colin Baker, and Sylvester McCoy). Since then, they have expanded their lines and have produced new material set through the 12th Doctor’s era.
Doctor Who fans worldwide can now pre-order all four volumes of The Ninth Doctor Adventures, which are available in three formats – collector’s edition CD, digital download, or limited edition gatefold triple LP vinyl – exclusively HERE.
