The enigmatic Fugitive Doctor, portrayed by Jo Martin, is set to captivate audiences once again, this time in an exciting new audio series. Recorded in January 2023 at The Soundhouse, these audio dramas promise to delve deeper into the multifaceted personality of this intriguing incarnation of the Doctor, offering fans a fresh perspective beyond her television appearances.
Jo Martin herself expresses immense enthusiasm for this new venture. “Doing these audios has been super fun!” she exclaims. Recognizing the limitations of television screen time, Martin highlights the audio format’s potential to fully explore the Fugitive Doctor’s character. “There wasn’t enough time in the TV episodes to see all the different sides of the Fugitive Doctor. She’s gung-ho, but there’s a softer side to her. With these episodes, the listeners will hear her vulnerability, her kindness and her loyalties. She’s a lone wolf, and that can’t be easy.” This audio series aims to showcase these nuanced aspects, providing a richer understanding of the Fugitive Doctor.
Stepping into the audio booth without her former co-star Jodie Whittaker, Martin admits to feeling a heightened sense of responsibility. “Going from the TV show to audio, it’s a bit more pressure, because I haven’t got Jodie there – it’s all on me.” Despite initial nerves, her extensive experience quickly reassured her. “On the first day, I could feel my heart fluttering. But I thought, ‘Jo, you’ve been in this game a hundred years, kid’ – I’ve acquired a few skills to get me through!”
Fans can expect thrilling, action-packed narratives. Martin teases the fast-paced nature of the stories: “The stories are full on. There isn’t a second to catch your breath. There are intimate moments here and there, but basically it’s just, go, go, go. It’s what I want in an action show that features the Doctor.” Adding to the excitement, she reveals a classic Doctor Who villain will feature prominently. “And the beautiful thing is, I get to deal with the Daleks!”
Alice Krige, Martin’s co-star, offers insights into her character, Cosmogon. She describes her initial portrayal as “very, very tough” and dedicated. However, the audio series will peel back layers, revealing more depth. “And through the course of these stories, we reveal more about her,” Krige explains. She relishes the opportunity and praises Martin’s performance: “It was a lovely challenge and a lovely opportunity, and Jo’s brilliant – she’s totally engaging and wonderful to work with.”
Producer David Richardson sheds light on the development process, emphasizing the significance of the Fugitive Doctor within the Doctor Who universe. “This was an absolute treat to work on. The Fugitive Doctor is such a brilliant, head-turning twist in this amazing long-running show we all love.” He credits script editor Robert Valentine for their collaborative planning and acknowledges the invaluable input from Thirteenth Doctor showrunner, Chris Chibnall. “Thirteenth Doctor showrunner, Chris Chibnall, very generously gave up his time and met with us on Zoom while we threw around ideas and he gave us some clarifications about this most enigmatic era of Doctor Who. We came out of that meeting elated, full of purpose and sure of our direction.”
Richardson echoes Krige’s praise for Jo Martin, highlighting her infectious enthusiasm. “Chris told us that Jo was fantastic and a gorgeous person to work with, and he was absolutely right of course – she came into the studio full of joy for the part, always smiling, always brilliant and charismatic.” He concludes by affirming the timeliness of this audio series, stating, “The Fugitive Doctor now has her own audio series – and as the saying goes, it’s about time…”
This new audio series promises to be a must-listen for Doctor Who fans, offering thrilling adventures and a deeper exploration of the Fugitive Doctor, solidifying her place in the rich tapestry of Doctor Who lore. Keep an eye out for release details and prepare to embark on a sonic journey with this captivating Doctor.
