Professional Documents
Culture Documents
NOVEMBER 2023
ISSUE 177
SOMETHING THIS
previously. She explains: “The
means that I’ve had the chance to basic idea for this story came
not only come back to Big Finish
and to act again, but also to develop CHALLENGING? from a dream I had in around
2012. When I woke up, I
the character. That’s allowed me AJJAZ AWAD-IBRAHIM thought that it would make a really
to get comfortable with the voice good film so I wrote it down.
and understand Case more. “And I began to question myself. “The dream was basically about
“You don’t always get that Can I do this? Can I really do it? a person who discovers they can
opportunity, especially with Can I write something this travel through time and they
audio, as you tend to go in with a challenging? I’ve written plays and are really enjoying it, going to
script, which you’ve read through a couple of short films and things different periods and exploring,
and have got familiar with what meeting different people.
like that
you’re going to say, but you “This person still lives at
for myself before, but this was my
haven’t met the other actors. And home with a parent and when
first ever proper commission.
as it’s audio, they get back from one of their
“I was asked to come up with
you don’t know your lines off by time travelling expeditions,
an idea, a story that fitted into
heart so you’re still reading off the they tell
the realm of an established
script and don’t have as much the parent, ‘Oh, you’ll never guess
concept using well-known
time to think about your what... I can time travel now.’ But
characters that already existed.
character. As a returning then the parent is very upset and
character, it makes your job a lot And on top of that, it was
warns them, ‘You shouldn’t do this.
easier as you already know science fiction! I’d It’s really dangerous, please stop.’
something about who you’re never written sci-fi before. “But they carry on time travelling
playing.” “Mark, Matt and I were given the and end up hurting someone or
Writing her first Big Finish commission to write the final something happens and then the
script was a challenge for Ajjaz. She three episodes of the Case and the parent reveals, ‘It happened because
reveals: “When Matt asked me if War Doctor series. We hadn’t I’m you from the past. I came from
I’d like to write a script it was a decided whose would go in what the future to make sure that you
bit daunting. You know that order until we came up the idea of didn’t do what I ended up doing.’
feeling when you’re really what would happen after the end “I think that sort of makes sense!
excited about something but it of the last series where Case had
also makes you feel sick? That’s been left behind after the Doctor
exactly how I felt! departed.”
| PAGE 6
DOCTOR WHO
ENEMY MINE
THE WAR DOCTOR WAS REALLY BOLD The setting of the dreadnought
TARDIS came quite quickly and
AND JONATHON HAS BLENDED HIS everything built from there.”
Summing up the adventure,
OWN INTERPRETATION INTO THAT… Mark says that Fear Nothing is:
“Die Hard in an enormous Battle
MARK WRIGHT
TARDIS! I’ve always been fascinated
by Battle TARDISes, something
created for exploration being
Above: Jonathon Carley turned into an engine of war, and
how far you can take that during
something like the Time War.
“The whole script was a delight –
tough to write in places – but I’m so
“I took that concept and put it into particularly what he’s done with pleased with how it came
the script with the idea that Case the new series Doctors. He really together. Writing for Adèle
would time travel back to meet has an ear for their voices, and Anderson as Tamasan was a rare
herself before she became half Dalek the run of Twelfth Doctor comic pleasure. I’m
and strips he wrote were spot on. a huge fan of Fascinating Aida so
try to change the course of her life. “Mark just felt a good fit for the getting to write for somebody I’ve
At the same time she’s also looking Time War and for the War Doctor. seen on stage many times was
after the child Case and then having We also have quite a big role for great – and writing dialogue for the
to reveal to the child at some point Commodore Tamasan as well. Doctor and Tamasan was huge fun.
that they are actually them. Other “It’s a really claustrophobic, tense “Also, Becky Wright’s performance
bits of the story grew from there.” cat and mouse story that he’s put as Jodall is incredible. I’ve never
together. We’re on a dreadnought met or worked with Becky but as
FEAR NOTHING has been ship, with the hunter and the an Archers fan I’m a great
written by Big Finish veteran hunted. I’m really looking forward admirer of her work. I actually
Mark. David says: “Fear Nothing to hearing it as it has such a great had her voice in mind when I
sees the War Doctor’s search for atmosphere.” was writing Jodall so I was really
Case diverted by Commodore How did Mark find writing pleased
Tamasan, summoning him for this different incarnation of she was available. I hope
against his will to a remote TARDIS the Doctor? He explains: “John we’ll work together at some
dry dock facility at the very edge of Hurt’s characterisation of the point.”
the war. Case has been unleashed by War Doctor was really bold and
the Daleks to eliminate a key Time Jonathon has blended his own THE SERIES concludes with
Lord asset, an asset who could interpretation into that, the Exit Strategy, written by the
change the course of the Time voice of this Doctor is so distinct. script editor. David tells Vortex:
War.” “I heard that voice in my head “In Exit Strategy, Case is with
Matt says: “I love Mark’s writing, while the Daleks but the Emperor is yet
to be convinced of her
| PAGE 7
DOCTOR WHO
ENEMY MINE
AJJAZ ENJOYED the sets have been, Case’s story, identity in parallel with the Doctor. “Of course
recording as well as the finding her back then we were
writing, particularly as it meant recording remotely so to be in the same room
she got to work with Jonathon with Ajjaz where we can build a relationship on
again. mic and off has been really rewarding. Aside from
She says: “He’s fantastic. When just having a familiar face in the room, Ajjaz
you see him, you really brings such an infectious buzz of energy into the
wouldn’t sessions and of course she is so
think that voice would come out of talented. She utterly transforms and switches on
his mouth! It’s just uncanny what he an attitude to play Case.
can do vocally. Totally brilliant. “And she has written an episode too, which
“When you’ve got a good dynamic
really reflects her understanding of both our
with someone, it gives you more
characters and their relationship. It’s a very
to inform your performance. You
intimate piece that Ajjaz has written for Case,
know the character having and on top
played them before, and you’ve of that she’s given me some of my favourite
got used to the voice you’re beats to play as well.
working with.” “Being able to connect with her and the character
Jonathon adds: “It’s the end of has really helped give these stories real colour and
an era. When Ajjaz first appeared made our jobs infinitely easier
as Case way back in Warbringer I
when exploring different facets of
always felt there was more to her
story and thought it would be great
if we could revisit that. Clearly
everyone else felt the same and
that’s really what these last two boX
our characters. I have to
say I did have a lump in THE WAR DOCTOR BEGINS:
my throat at the end of
the last scene we recorded.
ENEMY MINE
But who knows, Case may
come back. ■ RELEASED: DECEMBER 2023
It has happened before!” VORTEX ■ FORMAT: CD/DOWNLOAD
| PAGE 8
VISIT: BIGFINISH.COM/OFFERS/V/BOOKCLUB USE THE ACCESS CODE: STORIES
| PAGE 9
DOCTOR WHO
LIGHT AT THE END
RELEASED: OCTOBER 2013
FORMAT: DOWNLOAD ORDER NOW: bgfn.sh/light23
The Seventh Doctor’s all set to encounter
friends – and foes – from his past…
AT THE start of the Doctor faces in a story that leads Bowerman as Professor Bernice
Who TV Movie in 1996, the into the events of his Summerfield, Philip Olivier as
Seventh Doctor collected the regeneration. Thomas Hector Schofield (aka Hex),
Master’s mortal remains after The story begins with the first Amy Pemberton as Sally Morgan,
he was executed by the Daleks six Maggie O’Neill as Lysandra
on Skaro. episodes released in January 2024, Aristedes, Travis Oliver as Chris
But what was the situation that in an epic adventure written by Cwej, Yasmin Bannerman as Roz
led up to those events? Who sent the Matt Fitton and Guy Adams. Forrester and Chase Masterson as
Doctor, of all people, on that Listeners to Vienna Salvatori.
mission? the Doctor Who story Dark But there are also some familiar
Now, it’s time to find out in a Universe, enemies lurking in the shadows,
12-part epic tale, The Seventh also written by Guy Adams, may with Geoffrey Beevers portraying the
Doctor – The Last Day, which will recall the Doctor being warned Master, Dan Starkey as the
be told over two boX sets. Sylvester that his last day was approaching. Sontarans,
McCoy is joined by a host of familiar Joining the Doctor in The Last Stuart Milligan returning as Garundel
Day are Sophie Aldred as Ace,
Bonnie Langford as Melanie Bush,
Lisa
| PAGE 10
DOCTOR WHO
THE LAST DAY
IT’S GOING
and Edward Peel is back as Kane,
a part he last played in Dragonfire WITH THE Seventh Doctor
on television in 1987 when having had so many companions
TO BE QUITE
viewers saw him melt away into and friends across various media
nothing... such as television, the New
Adventures books, Doctor Who
A RIDE!
For this Doctor, there is always
Magazine and Big Finish – to
injustice to fight. There is always
name but four – there were a
a new danger for the universe.
But what if the Doctor found a plethora of potential characters to
EMMA HAIGH feature.
way to put things right, once and
for all? Guy explains: “Once we had decided
but we did it! And what a fabulous
Would it really be so terrible to take this was going to be the big send off
time we had, seeing all these
a stand? Would the end justify the for the Seventh Doctor, the obvious
long-standing characters sparring
means? And would his friends thing to do was look at the cross-
off
agree? section if you cut through the trunk
each other and working together
of the Seventh Doctor stories. We
was just so exciting.
PRODUCER EMMA Haigh worked our way through all the best
“We are taken on quite a journey
tells Vortex: “Guy and Matt have bits and tried to find what and who
through the worlds of the Seventh
created an epic story for the Doctor, hearing our companions might be achievable, and who would
Seventh Doctor – they’ve brought challenged to their limits with some add something to it as a character,
many of his companions because that’s always a consideration.
making the ultimate sacrifice.
together along with several of his “It was quite easy to include
Buckle up, it’s going to be quite a a shopping list across two
nemeses, which leads to a great
ride!” whole boX sets, as this is, but I
melting pot of action and
Vortex brought together the hope we were quite fastidious
adventure. Recording these was
story’s writers for a lengthy chat in our
logistically complicated, getting
earlier this year. Guy says: “When conversations to try and make
everyone into the studio when they
we started sure that everyone has their
were needed,
space.”
Matt continues: “The setting of it
all, without giving anything The Last Day and with other versions of reality and
away, gave us the premise of allowed us to play universes. So, we’ve got
DOCTOR WHO
THE LAST DAY
EACH OF THE
COMPANIONS
BRINGS THEIR OWN
STRENGTHS, AND
THERE ARE VARIED
REASONS AS TO Above (l–r): Sylvester McCoy
and Sophie Aldred
| PAGE 13
The Eleventh Doctor This latest boX set in the television era say they’re enjoying
continues his adventures range takes the Doctor and his our audio run. So that’s incredibly
with Valarie Lockwood partly-cybernetic friend Valarie rewarding and all down to the
in a new box set... on a trio of new adventures. brilliant work of our cast and
Producer Alfie Shaw is thrilled crew.
by the reaction to All of Time “Everywhere and Anywhere is about
and Space. He tells Vortex: “I am finding hope in bleak situations, and
WHEN YOU’VE had all of delighted and relieved! Every time I would say it’s the darkest set of
time and space put before you, one of these Eleventh Doctor releases stories in the series. If people have
the next place to go is evidently comes out, it’s a very stressful heard the first two sets, they’ll be
everywhere and anywhere. And time for me. I’ve done everything aware this TARDIS team hasn’t had
having been to All of Time and I can to try and make sure fellow the easiest of times so far, and it’s
Space in the previous The Eleventh Doctor fans have a about to get a lot tougher for them.
Eleventh Doctor Chronicles boX set, great series to enjoy at Big Finish. “For everyone who said they
it makes perfect sense for the Doctor “Happily the reaction has been teared up a bit at Geronimo! you
and his companion Valarie to explore very positive. I’ve heard people who might want to get a boX of tissues.
Everywhere and Anywhere next! aren’t massive fans of the Eleventh This one could easily break you
Doctor’s even more than that opening set!”
| PAGE 14
THE ELEVENTH DOCTOR CHRONICLES
EVERYWHERE AND ANYWHERE
I LOVE THE
CONCEPT OF A
GHOST STORY
AT CHRISTMAS,
THERE’S SUCH
Above (l–r): Alfie Shaw, Safiyya A MIXTURE OF
Ingar and Jacob Dudman
WARMTH AND
SPIRIT OF the Season by
Georgia Cook is the first
DARKNESS TO IT…
GEORGIA COOK
adventure, appropriately named
as it will be released in
ALL’S FAIR by Max Kashevsky
December. Alfie explains:
sees Valarie reunited with her
“When I commissioned Georgia
almost girlfriend from
to write for Geronimo! I knew she had
Geronimo!, Roanna. Alfie says:
a history writing horror, and when it
“All’s Fair is Max and I trying to
came to creating our Christmas
work out the worst ways that a
episode, I wanted it to have more of a
first date could go wrong. We came
horror leaning.
up with two different ideas and used
“I asked Georgia to pitch a few
both. Max’s suggestion might upset
ideas and Spirit of the Season
a few people. Mine is definitely going
immediately stood out. We’ve got
to upset everyone. I love it!”
a wonderful villain in the form of
Max explains his involvement: “I
Clara which Becky Wright took
would have given three kidneys to
and ran with. She’s delightfully
write for this series but
creepy.”
fortunately it didn’t come to that!
Georgia says: “We wanted a
Actually, I got on board in a
ghostly Christmas episode
roundabout way.
of
We’d already worked together
when Alfie kindly agreed to let me
Above (l–r): Jacob Dudman, Mandi Symonds and Safiyya Ingar
shadow his script-editing work for
the
| PAGE 15
THE ELEVENTH DOCTOR CHRONICLES
EVERYWHERE AND ANYWHERE
| PAGE 16
THE ELEVENTH DOCTOR CHRONICLES
EVERYWHERE AND ANYWHERE
TORCHWOOD: OODUNNIT
■ RELEASED: NOVEMBER 2013
■ FORMAT: CD/DOWNLOAD
HEATHER CHALLANDS
UNIT:
A DECADE ago, Big Finish The first release I heard was Big Day and we had a chat. I was
came into the life of Heather Finish’s 40th anniversary special,
Challands as a regular listener Zagreus, which was a bit of a mad
– and now she works on several way to start. I listened to many
different series. more on Spotify before starting
Producing The Third my collection with UNIT:
Doctor Adventures, UNIT and Extinction.”
Gallifrey, to name but three, is a Heather continued to listen to
dream come true for Heather. Big Finish as a fan, attending the
She recalls: “I’m not 100 per cent Big Finish Day events in Derby.
sure how I first heard about Big And it was there she met several
Finish. I feel it came to me through of the
osmosis, probably around the people involved in making the
50th anniversary celebrations. audios.
Heather explains: “I first met
Nicholas Briggs at a Big Finish
Nick knew it was one of the series Conspiracy in Space – I and vividly remember running to my
I really liked. So I was offered a wasn’t responsible for a university library because the wifi
co-producer credit before whole boX set straight failed in my flat!”
producer. Then the first away. I loved working
Vortex asks Heather to explain
on this with Tim Treloar
credit I received as what her job as producer
and Katy Manning. I
producer was on entails.
was working remotely
MEET THE MAKERS
HEATHER CHALLANDS
| PAGE 22
BIG FINISH
RELEASE SCHEDULE
Please note that Big Finish is currently operating a digital-first
release schedule. The mail-out of collector’s edition CDs will
be delayed, due to logistical and economic conditions beyond
our control, but all physical purchases of new releases will
unlock a digital copy that can be immediately downloaded
– or played on the Big Finish app – from the release date.
CREDITS
Managing Editor:
Jason Haigh-Ellery FOR FULL DETAILS AND UPDATES VISIT:
bgfn.sh/whatsnew
Executive Producer:
Nicholas Briggs
Senior Producer:
John Ainsworth
Editor: Kenny Smith
NOVEMBER 2023 TORCHWOOD Oracle (78)
The Big Finish Team:
Chris Allen DW | THE EIGHTH DOCTOR ADVENTURES JANUARY 2024
Cheryl Bryant AUdacity (BOX SET)
Heather Challands DW | THE FIRST DOCTOR ADVENTURES
Sue Cowley DW | THE DOCTOR CHRONICLES FUgitive of the Daleks (BOX SET)
Emily Davis THE TENTH DOCTOR
Jackie Emery Defender of the Earth (BOX SET) DW | RANI TAKES ON THE WORLD
Sufyan Javaid The Revenge of Wormwood (BOX SET)
Paul Spragg
Scott Talbot DW | THE WAR MASTER STAR COPS: BLOOD MOON 1
RogUe EncoUnters (BOX SET) I Was Killed Yeaterday
Lizzie Worsdell
Graphic Design: DW | THE AUDIO NOVELS THUNDERBIRDS
Mark Plastow The Box of Terrors DLO Danger and Deception DLO
Copy Editor:
ISSUE 177
BIGFINISHPROD
| PAGE 23
THE BIG FINISH MAGAZINE
NOVEMBER 2023
ISSUE 177