Big Finish Productions is set to release a thrilling new audio drama, Doctor Who: The First Doctor Adventures – The Living Darkness, which sees the exciting reunion of the First Doctor and his companion Steven Taylor. This release is a loving tribute to the classic 1960s era of Doctor Who, promising fans a nostalgic and suspenseful listening experience.
Producer Mark Wright expressed his enthusiasm for the project, stating, “What an honour to reunite Steven Taylor with the First Doctor in an adventure paying tribute to that rich era of 1960s Doctor Who. The Living Darkness is a terrific script from Jacqueline Rayner, full of suspense, terror and rich emotion.” Wright also praised the collaborative atmosphere during recording, highlighting the contributions of both returning and guest actors.
Peter Purves, reprising his role as Steven Taylor, shared his admiration for Stephen Noonan, who portrays the First Doctor. Purves noted Noonan’s dedication and accuracy in capturing the essence of William Hartnell’s iconic portrayal. “Stephen is very close to sounding like Bill Hartnell in terms of rhythm and delivery. He’s quite vigorous in performing it, really quite intense as the Doctor – it’s easy to play off that because he’s giving so much,” Purves commented. He further elaborated on Noonan’s deep knowledge of the era, adding, “He’s done a huge amount of research; he knows more about my era of Doctor Who than I ever have. I’m very impressed with his professionalism and his approach.”
Purves also teased the unique nature of The Living Darkness storyline, suggesting a departure from typical Doctor Who narratives. “This story involves a lot of things from the era I was in, and it’s a story like no other that’s been in Doctor Who, because don’t expect the TARDIS to come to the rescue – it ain’t here. It’s an extraordinary story. I thoroughly enjoyed it, and I hope you enjoy listening to it.” This hint of a TARDIS-less adventure adds an intriguing layer of suspense for listeners.
Stephen Noonan himself conveyed his excitement about working with Peter Purves, recognizing Purves’ significant place in Doctor Who history and British popular culture. “This is thrilling, not only because Peter’s a Doctor Who companion but, for those of my generation, he’s as much a part of the mental furniture of our childhood as anybody else. I was very much looking forward to meeting him, and it’s been an absolute dream,” Noonan stated.
Noonan also praised the script for its depth and exploration of uncharted emotional territories for the First Doctor. “It’s a really good script and really interesting stuff for the Doctor. There are emotional areas that haven’t been explored in previous stories, which has been fascinating to work on and to play with Peter.” This suggests that The Living Darkness will offer fans not only a thrilling adventure but also a deeper insight into the character of the First Doctor.
Doctor Who: The First Doctor Adventures – The Living Darkness is poised to be a must-listen for fans of the 1st Doctor Who era, promising a blend of classic charm and fresh storytelling. With stellar performances and a compelling narrative, this audio drama is set to enrich the legacy of the First Doctor and Steven Taylor’s adventures.
