15 years on from Paul McGann’s inaugural Doctor Who audio adventure – and 20 years since his debut as the Doctor – we count down our favourite Eighth Doctor adventures, all of which we highly recommend downloading from Big Finish…
3. ‘The Company of Friends’ (2009)
The perfect jumping on point for those unfamiliar with Big Finish or McGann’s Doctor, this collection of four standalone episodes matches Eight with four different companions, all of whom have previously featured or been mentioned in Books, DWM comic strips and other audio adventures.
Each story carries its own tonal identity, with a pure Victorian horror standing side by side with a madcap spoof of the 2000AD/Judge Dredd comic strips, meaning there’s something here to please everyone. Great guest companion turns from the likes of Matt DiAngelo (Hustle, EastEnders) and Jemima Rooper (Atlantis) result in some interesting and diverse character interactions too.
A perfect introduction to Doctor Who on audio, ‘The Company of Friends’ has something to please everyone.
2. ‘Dark Eyes’ (2012)
A more tortured, world weary Eighth Doctor takes centre stage in this colossal adventure, featuring a grief-stricken Doctor uncovering a diabolical Dalek plot in World War 1, which in turn leads him to a conspiracy based around his feisty new companion Molly O’Sullivan, played by Primeval’s Ruth Bradley.
Nicholas Briggs has always written for the Eighth Doctor best, and here he sets our hero on a dark path (as the title ominously suggests), which certainly allows for Paul McGann to explore the character in ways he hasn’t yet been afforded.
Molly makes for a fresh and interesting companion figure, and her back story is fully fleshed out and explored throughout the four hour epic. Toby Jones also makes an appearance throughout as the mysterious lead villain, and he’s utterly brilliant, especially when confronting Paul McGann.
Powerful drama that highlights the multi-faceted character of the Eighth Doctor, ‘Dark Eyes’ is easily McGann’s most accomplished performance as the Doctor.
1. ‘The Chimes of Midnight’ (2002)
‘The Chimes of Midnight’ isn’t just the best Doctor Who story from the Paul McGann era. It isn’t just the best Big Finish audio adventure either. ‘The Chimes of Midnight’ is, simply put, one of the best Doctor Who stories ever made in any medium.
A spooky Christmas murder mystery in which even time itself is a threat, Rob Shearman’s script is incredibly clever, wonderfully dark, and on many occasions, actually quite scary. Paul McGann and India Fisher are joined by a small but talented cast in a claustrophobic and unsettling story, one which tests the TARDIS duo both physically and emotionally, and results in some quite dark reveals.
The sound design adds layers to the already spooky atmosphere the script creates, whilst the direction and performances are sublime from beginning to end. Simply put, it’s a masterpiece, one which we certainly don’t want to spoil at all. Rest assured though, it is a bonafide classic, and easily Paul McGann’s best Doctor Who adventure.
‘The Chimes of Midnight’ is best enjoyed with headphones on at night whilst lying in bed with the lights off.
What’s your favourite Eighth Doctor audio adventure? Let us know below…