The world of Doctor Who audio dramas is vast, and Big Finish Productions has long been a leading force in expanding the Doctor’s universe. For fans eager to hear new adventures from the modern Doctors without the original actors, the Doctor Chronicles range emerged, and within it, Jacob Dudman stepped up to voice the Tenth, Eleventh, and Twelfth Doctors. While Dudman’s interpretations of the Tenth and Eleventh Doctors were well-received, his initial portrayal of the 12th Doctor felt less convincing, particularly in the Short Trips series. However, The Twelfth Doctor Chronicles: Timejacked! marks a significant turning point, transforming Dudman’s performance and delivering a compelling audio experience. Writers Matt Fitton and Lou Morgan introduce a captivating story arc and a fresh companion, Time Agent Keira Sanstrom, brought to life by Bhavnisha Parmar. This box set, structured in the modern Big Finish style as a mini-series, allows for a deeper exploration of character and plot. Crucially, Dudman’s portrayal of the Twelfth Doctor has evolved. Instead of a mere imitation of Peter Capaldi, he now captures the essence of the character, drawing inspiration from Peter Purves’ First Doctor to embody the mannerisms and characterization. This shift makes Timejacked! resonate as a genuine 12th Doctor adventure in a way that previous Dudman performances hadn’t quite achieved.
The Twelfth Doctor Chronicles Timejacked! audio drama boxset cover featuring the 12th Doctor and Keira Sanstrom
A Companion Driven Narrative
Despite claims of standalone episodes, Timejacked! thrives on the developing relationship between the 12th Doctor and Keira. The narrative cleverly begins with Keira compelling the Doctor at gunpoint to take her to Calandra, a planet where she aims to rectify a past mistake. This forced partnership creates an intriguing dynamic. Fitton and Morgan skillfully utilize this scenario, casting the Doctor in an almost reluctant mentorship role for Keira. The box set excels at showcasing the Doctor’s subtle guidance. Through what he doesn’t say, he prompts Keira to confront her shortcomings as a Time Agent. Her mission to apprehend a notorious criminal is complicated by a malfunctioning Vortex Manipulator and the very problems she created on Calandra. The chemistry between Parmar and Dudman is palpable, evolving into a compelling Doctor-companion relationship. It’s somewhat disappointing that the box set concludes this relationship, rather than leaving it open for future adventures. The 12th Doctor, especially given the narrative gap between Series 9 and 10 of the television series, possesses ample room for further companion explorations and character development.
Writing Prowess and Episode Structure
The choice of Matt Fitton and Lou Morgan as writers proves inspired. Fitton’s experience in crafting overarching narratives for the Eighth Doctor box sets, combined with Morgan’s talent for character-driven drama, creates a potent writing partnership. Fitton pens the opening episode, while Morgan takes the helm for the subsequent two, including the aptly described second episode, “Oh dear. That wasn’t meant to happen.” This structure allows for a gradual deepening of the character drama in the middle episodes, culminating in a satisfying resolution in the final installment. While Fitton’s opening script serves primarily as setup and leans slightly on familiar tropes, making some plot points predictable, it remains engaging and tense. Although some elements might echo other science fiction and Doctor Who stories, it doesn’t feel derivative but rather like a natural convergence of ideas. The guest cast is strong throughout, particularly in the first and last episodes. The second episode expands the scope of Timejacked!, shifting focus from character dynamics (beyond the Doctor and Keira) to world-building and plot progression.
A Well-Crafted Miniseries
Timejacked! exhibits excellent structural pacing, typical of a well-conceived miniseries. This makes it arguably the most thoughtfully constructed entry in the Doctor Chronicles range. Helen Goldwyn’s masterful direction further elevates the production, and Jacob Dudman’s improved understanding of the 12th Doctor, particularly in his interactions with a new companion, shines through. Despite minor shortcomings, The Twelfth Doctor Chronicles: Timejacked! emerges as a genuinely delightful surprise from Big Finish, earning a well-deserved 9/10.
You can purchase The Twelfth Doctor Chronicles: Timejacked! as a download/CD from Big Finish. Alternatively, order from Forbidden Planet or Amazon.
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