Big Finish Productions, in association with BBC Studios, has announced Christopher Eccleston will reprise his role as the ninth Doctor for Big Finish Doctor Who audio stories.

“After 15 years it will be exciting to revisit the Ninth Doctor’s world, bringing back to life a character I love playing,” Christoper Eccleston said in the Big Finish press release.

First seen on screen in 2005, Christopher Eccleston’s Ninth Doctor introduced a whole new generation of sci-fi fans to the TARDIS, Time Lords and sonic screwdriver.

Fans were dismayed when Eccleston quit after only one spectacular series of Doctor Who but now he’s back in a brand-new series of twelve full-cast audio adventures in time and space, due to be released across four box sets, starting with volume one in May 2021.

Story details, writers and additional guest cast are being kept under wraps at present but it’s worth noting that Billie Piper, John Barrowman, Camille Coduri and Noel Clarke have previously recorded audios for Big Finish.

Big Finish’s Chairman, Jason Haigh-Ellery said: “I first talked to Christopher about returning to the role of the Doctor at the Gallifrey One convention in February this year. Christopher said he was enjoying meeting the fans and was pleased that his Doctor was remembered so fondly. He indicated he would be open to discussing a project with Big Finish.”

Each of the four volumes in Doctor Who: The Ninth Doctor Adventures will be released as a 4-disc collector’s edition box set or download containing three brand-new full cast audio adventures, plus a selection of behind-the-scenes extras.

All four volumes are available for pre-order in three formats – collector’s edition CD, digital download or limited edition gatefold triple LP vinyl.