Infinite Potential: Where Could Big Finish Take New Who? (Part 1)

DWTV contributors propose ideas for other potential New Who audios.

Today brought the rather exciting news of the latest Big Finish product. UNIT: Extinction, featuring Kate Stewart and her team, is the first time the popular audio drama company have written a story solely for the revival. Whilst the story itself sounds absolutely fascinating, there was something which caught the intrigue of fans even more: the possible implication that this might mean that Big Finish now, or in future, have the ability to tap into more of the vast resources of the New Who universe. So join me and collection of other writers from the site as we discuss which ideas we think would work best.

The Time War

– Mark McCullough.

The Time War is something which hold a lot of significance with the Whoniverse. However, due to its vast nature it is something which cannot be served justice without blowing the budget of an entire series. The Nightmare Child, the Could-Have-Been King and the Horde of Travesties are all entities which sound fascinating but are largely inappropriate for the current format of New Who. That is why I feel that an audio based approach would be a perfect marriage for the scale of the Time War.

As well as a multitude of fascinating themes to draw form, there is also a rich collection of already loved characters to utilise. The General is someone who could provide a strong protagonist to a story which focuses on the corrupt nature of the planet as described by RTD. It is also an excuse to bring back some of the fondly remembered Time Lord characters who may have been deemed too obscure for television by current showrunner Moffat. We could perhaps even learn what happened to the Master upon his return to Gallifrey in The End of Time, before her escape prior to Series 8. The possibilities are endless.

If Big Finish does decide to go down the line of the Time War, there is one grumpy old war veteran I would hope would be included. Yes it may be too much to hope for to have Sir John Hurt star in a series, but that won’t stop me hoping. For a character that has been received so well in his only televised adventure, and was actually improved upon in novel form in Engines of War, it could only be an instant success. A Time War series set on Gallifrey starring the War Doctor, Cinder, the General and Rassilon, why wouldn’t it be an unprecedented success.

The Paternoster Gang

– Jack Hudson.

The idea of a ‘Paternoster Gang Adventures’ spin-off has long been mooted among fandom, and has even been pitched to the BBC by Steven Moffat! However, over three years later a series has yet to appear on television. But who needs the BBC with Big Finish’s latest revelation of possible post-2005 audios. Vastra, Strax and Jenny are three of the best-loved characters of recent times and, if Kate Stewart is to get her own series, a Paternoster series is certainly more than feasible.

The trio adore working together and with Neve McIntosh and Dan Starkey both being on record as seasoned Doctor Who fans, it is very likely they would jump at the chance to do audios with Big Finish. Of course, the nature of an audio also removes the discomfort of Neve and Dan’s prosthetics that may have been too much for them to put up with on a series for TV. When I watch an episode featuring the Paternoster Gang I always feel like they are getting up to many adventures off-camera; this would finally give us a chance to see some of them. Such a series could take inspiration from Sherlock Holmes and give us a brilliant detective series in Victorian London.

I’m sure you are all noticing a similarity with one of Big Finish’s most popular series. For me, a possibility of a cross-over with Jago and Litefoot is very exciting! This series could offer so much, a chance to explore Vastra and Jenny’s relationship in a way that maybe cannot be done in the main show, or a chance to show another side of Strax (surely a story which reunites him with other Sontarans is a must?). There really is so much potential in this idea, and it is certainly what I’ll be crossing my fingers to be announced in the coming weeks.

New Who Doctors

– Lewis Hurst

Perhaps the most exciting thing (in my opinion) about Big Finish seemingly obtaining the New Who license is perhaps the return of our favourite New Who Doctors! The 9th Doctor! The 10th Doctor! The 11th Doctor! Even the 12th Doctor when he’s not too busy saving the universe on our TV screens! The 9th Doctor’s era was sadly cut short by a series, or two, or three, or four. Now with the Big Finish audios, he could return for more adventures! Sadly Christopher Eccleston seems less likely, but hopefully a convincing sound-a-like can be found to portray him. Just imagine Nine dashing around time and space for new adventures with Rose and Captain Jack.

Also, we’d also see the return of the insanely popular 10th Doctor as portrayed by David Tennant! The 10th Doctor and Rose! The 10th Doctor and Martha! The 10th Doctor and Donna! 10 on his own! 10 perhaps changing his mind and taking Lady Christina De Souza on as a companion. The possibilities for 10 are endless. Here’s hoping Big Finish can catch on to this potential and tell lots of new and exciting stories with the 10th Doctor!

And while we’re at it, let’s have more of the 11th Doctor. 11 and the Ponds can go for new adventures, with River and maybe Canton in tow. We could also be treated to more adventures of 11 and Clara (a TARDIS team that was perfect but cut brutally short). And of course, perhaps the most exciting thing is more adventures with the 12th Doctor to fill out the long wait between series from December to August. And you must admit, more adventures with the New Who Doctors can only be a huge bonus to fans.

Old Faces, New Enemies, New Friends

– Mark McCullough

There really isn’t a lot to say here other than it opens a window of infinite possibilities. We could have any of the classic Doctors facing off against some of the brilliant new creations from the revived series. However the scope is much wider than this, why limit it to just enemies? Following the tragic death of Elizabeth Sladen, The Sarah Jane Adventures was quite rightly cancelled. One down side of this decision was that some excellent characters were lost to the Whoniverse, namely Clyde, Rani and Luke. Many fans have since called for them to return, citing their potential as companions. Perhaps an audio story is the best route to follow in order to achieve this?

In order to emphasise some of my points I ask you to imagine any of the following:

• The First Doctor facing an intellectual War against the Silence
• The Second Doctor encountering the Siltheen
• The Third Doctor helping the Judoon hunt an escaped convict
• The Fourth Doctor on an adventure with Sarah Jane and Luke with the latter having to keep his true identity hidden
• The Fifth Doctor placed against the Weeping Angels
• The Sixth Doctor in a story with the Ood
• The Seventh Doctor against the Dream Lord
• The Eighth Doctor with Clyde and Rani against the Trickster.

And if that is not enough for you, sleep safe in the knowledge that the union of the Kandyman, Abzorbaloff and Chloe Webber is now a distinct possibility. I don’t think the universe can cope.

Join us for part 2 tomorrow.