Big Finish Confirm The Fourth Doctor Adventures Will Continue in 2017!

Nick Kitchen is a writer at Kasterborous Doctor Who News and Reviews - All the latest Doctor Who news and reviews with our weekly podKast, features and interviews, and a long-running forum.

You might have read recently that BBC Worldwide has granted a new five year license to Big Finish that extends they’re ability to produce Doctor Who stories to 2021. This happy news has already yielded some exciting announcements from Big Finish, especially concerning the Fourth Doctor! This Big Finish Roundup is all about the “genuine article himself! Let’s dig in!

Tom Baker Confirmed for Season 6 in 2017 and Series 5 Details!

Big Finish has confirmed that the Fourth Doctor Adventures will continue for a sixth season in 2017 that is firmly set in the first part of Classic Who’s Season 18. According to David Richardson (producer):

“Some of the stories are set between The Leisure Hive and Meglos and some between Meglos and Full Circle – with John Leeson returning as K9 in the second batch of tales. And yes – in a first for the range – the stories will also feature Peter Howell’s version of the theme!“

More in depth info is (expectedly) a bit scarce at the moment,  but we’ll bring it to you as it becomes available. Be looking for Season 6 in 2017!

In the meanwhile, we do have some more details on next year’s run of Fourth Doctor stories, featuring a full run with Lalla Ward as Romana and John Leeson as K-9! Big Finish has released the full list of titles for the eight part run:

The Wave of Destruction
The Labyrinth of Buda Castle
The Paradox Planet
The Legacy of Death
The Gallery of Ghouls
The Trouble With Drax
The Pursuit of History
Causalities of Time

The last two in list are a two parter written by Big Finish’s Nicholas Briggs. Briggs has said that he’s revisiting some old ideas and characters (Cuthbert and assistant Mr. Dorrick) with the adventures:

“I’d always intended to continue the story of Cuthbert and Dorrick and the mysterious Conglomerate, but when we lost dear Mary Tamm all plans for that storyline were put aside. However, with Lalla signing up to these stories I decided to return to some of my original ideas, melded them with some new thoughts, and the result is the huge season finale. It’s quite a ride! Could it be that the past is finally catching up with the Doctor and Romana?”

The season has a fantastic guest cast as well, featuring talents like Toby Hadoke, Emma Campbell, Kate Bracken, and others, and appears to be shaping up to be a cracking time. Series 5 and 2017’s Series 6 can be preordered via subscription here. 

Reactions to Big Finish’s Doctor Who Extension

Big Finish has also shared some comments they’ve received from fans regarding the licence extension, as well as the reaction from BIg Finish producers. They can be read in their entirety here, but here are the best bits. 

Nicholas Briggs, Executive Producer:  “It’s really exciting for us to be continuing with Doctor Who for at least another five years, but I must say what’s been really thrilling is the mass of enthusiasm this has created among our loyal listeners. So many people have been in touch with Big Finish and with me, personally, to offer their support and congratulations. Those positive thoughts from everyone make all the difference and give me the main reason for continuing with this epic adventure we’ve been on since 1999.”

Jason Haigh-Ellery, Producer: “We are delighted with the overwhelmingly positive response our renewal announcement has received. Thank you to all those that have sent us emails and messages of congratulation. The five year licence is the longest extension given by BBC Worldwide to Big Finish and we are delighted by the confidence that they have shown in us.”

For those of us who aren’t into doing the mental math, fan Glen Stobbart breaks it down for us:

“That means at least 21 years of Big Finish. Well done guys. Great to have you around.”

Personally speaking, noting the extension and the recent news of Kate Stewart’s U.N.I.T. range, I’m hoping that more modern Who comes to Big Finish.  An Eleventh Doctor range anyone? Or is that just me? A man can hope!

Obviously those of us in K-Towers are stoked about the renewal and the plans for more Tom Baker adventures. The real question, however, lies with you, dear readers! Are you excited for more Fourth Doctor Big Finish adventures? Let us know!

The post Big Finish Confirm The Fourth Doctor Adventures Will Continue in 2017! appeared first on Kasterborous Doctor Who News and Reviews.