The world of Doctor Who is set to expand once again, this time in the realm of audio dramas, with the exciting reunion of two iconic Doctor Who Stars. Christopher Eccleston, reprising his role as the Ninth Doctor, and Alex Kingston, beloved for her portrayal of River Song, are joining forces in a new audio box set from Big Finish Productions. This collaboration marks a significant moment for Doctor Who fans, as it brings together these characters for the very first time in this medium.
Christopher Eccleston expressed his enthusiasm for revisiting the Ninth Doctor, highlighting the opportunity to delve deeper into the character’s complexities. “Returning to the world of the Doctor has been a great experience precisely because it has allowed me to re-explore my interpretation of the character and how he interacts with the many extraordinary beings he encounters along the way,” Eccleston stated. He specifically mentioned River Song as “one such character,” emphasizing the intriguing dynamic of this new encounter. Eccleston also acknowledged the enjoyable nature of working with Big Finish, appreciating the chance to revisit a role he originated nearly two decades ago. While hinting at a temporary departure, he left fans with a hopeful “au revoir,” suggesting the unpredictable nature of the Doctor’s world leaves room for future returns.
Alex Kingston echoed the excitement, particularly regarding her first opportunity to work alongside Christopher Eccleston’s Doctor. “This is the first time that I’ve had an opportunity to work with Chris’s Doctor,” Kingston said, emphasizing the unique challenge River Song faces when interacting with this incarnation. She noted the Ninth Doctor’s distinct “energy” compared to other Doctors, requiring River to “work harder to engage him, to get through to him,” a dynamic she found “great fun.” This hints at a fascinating clash of personalities and approaches, promising a compelling narrative for listeners.
Behind the scenes, the creative team also shared insights into the development of this special box set. Writer John Dorney described the collaborative process, explaining how the writers worked together to create a cohesive narrative structure. “This box set felt different because normally, they are standalone stories with the Ninth Doctor. Here, it was more fun because there was a sense we could be quite collaborative with it,” Dorney explained. He revealed that a Zoom meeting with fellow writers Tim Foley and Lizzie Hopley led to the idea of structuring the stories to mirror “three stages of a relationship,” with his story representing the “first date” between the Ninth Doctor and River Song.
Lizzie Hopley elaborated on the initial stages of crafting the narrative, comparing the pairing of River and the Ninth Doctor to a chemical reaction. “Starting on a new partnership is like putting two chemicals in a jar and seeing how they interact as you write,” Hopley stated. She observed River’s perception of the Ninth Doctor as “more wary of her,” influencing River’s approach to their interaction. Hopley noted River’s awareness of this Doctor’s need for emotional support, stemming from the Time War trauma, but also her carefulness in approaching him due to his “raw” emotional state. Interestingly, Hopley also revealed an earlier concept for her story, involving Helen of Troy, which eventually evolved into a new legend set on a “high-security banking planet.”
Tim Foley further explored the intriguing dynamic between the Ninth Doctor and River Song, emphasizing the “unromance” aspect of their interaction. “This is the wrong Doctor for River… and we thought it would be really fun to explore what that actually meant,” Foley said. He highlighted the contrast between the Ninth Doctor and River’s past encounters with other incarnations, suggesting that the Time War’s impact on the Ninth Doctor might be a key factor in their struggle to connect. Foley embraced this concept, aiming to make his story, “Archipelago,” the most romantic ‘unromance’ he had ever written. He teased a critical request from River to the Ninth Doctor, a task that could have significant consequences for their relationship and beyond, set against the backdrop of the planet Fortuna and an old captain in need of help.
This new audio box set promises to be a must-listen for Doctor Who enthusiasts. The clash between the Ninth Doctor’s intense, post-Time War persona and River Song’s flirtatious and enigmatic nature creates a compelling dynamic ripe for exploration. With insightful writing and stellar performances from Doctor Who stars Christopher Eccleston and Alex Kingston, this audio adventure is poised to offer a fresh and exciting chapter in the Doctor Who universe. Fans eager to witness this unique pairing should keep an eye out for the release from Big Finish, promising a thrilling and emotionally resonant experience.
