Big Finish Productions is set to release two new audio dramas featuring the beloved Eighth Doctor, promising exciting adventures for fans. These new stories, Puccini and the Doctor and The Gloaming, see the return of familiar faces and delve into intriguing themes, expanding the rich lore of the Doctor Who Eighth Doctor era.
Matthew Jacobs Revisits the Eighth Doctor Universe
Puccini and the Doctor is penned by Matthew Jacobs, the writer of the 1996 Doctor Who TV movie that introduced Paul McGann as the Eighth Doctor. Jacobs expressed his enthusiasm for returning to the Doctor Who universe after many years. He noted how the Eighth Doctor, particularly in his Big Finish incarnation, has evolved and become more complex since his initial portrayal. Jacobs was inspired to explore “unfinished business” from the TV movie, referencing the Doctor’s line about Puccini’s incomplete opera, Turandot. This story will delve into themes of music, love, and completion, promising a narrative rich in imagination and in the spirit of the TV movie that launched the Eighth Doctor.
Producer David Richardson highlighted Jacobs’ dedication, mentioning his early morning participation from Los Angeles during studio recordings. Richardson praised the story as “lovely and imaginative,” perfectly capturing the essence of the Eighth Doctor as portrayed by McGann.
The Mara Returns to Haunt a New TARDIS Team in The Gloaming
The second audio drama, The Gloaming, brings back the terrifying Mara, a classic Doctor Who villain last seen in stories with the Fifth Doctor. Producers felt it was time to see how the Mara would interact with a different TARDIS team, creating a fresh dynamic. This story is co-written by Lauren Mooney and Stewart Pringle, who emphasized the unique team dynamic of the Eighth Doctor’s companions, Charley Pollard and Audacity. They pointed out the potential for insecurity within the team, especially for newer members like Audacity, which the Mara’s influence can exploit.
Mooney and Pringle drew inspiration from the classic Mara stories, Kinda and Snakedance, and the mythology created by Christopher Bailey. They aimed to deepen the Mara’s conceptual world, influenced by modernist poetry and T.S. Eliot, portraying the Mara as a creature emerging with the decline of empires.
Cast Chemistry and Companion Dynamics
Paul McGann himself commented on the strong chemistry between his companions, Charley and Audacity. He believes their dynamic works well because, despite both being Earthlings, they come from different eras, leading to interesting interactions. India Fisher, who plays Charley, echoed this sentiment, describing a long-standing rapport between the actors. She playfully noted a dynamic where Charley and Audacity sometimes playfully “gang up” on the Doctor, adding a lighthearted element to their adventures.
These new audio dramas promise to be exciting additions to the Eighth Doctor‘s adventures, blending familiar elements with fresh perspectives. With Matthew Jacobs revisiting the character and the return of the Mara, alongside the engaging dynamic of the TARDIS team, fans have much to anticipate from these upcoming Big Finish releases.
