Brigadier Winifred Bambera returns for a 1990’s set UNIT spin-off series with Big Finish.
As revealed in the most recent edition of Doctor Who Magazine, UNIT – the Doctor’s sometime military allies and employers – are getting another audio series. In addition to the exploits of Kate Stewart, Osgood and co, UNIT: Brave New World will chronicle the 1990s exploits of the organisation.
Returning to the character she created for 1989’s Battlefield, Angela Bruce will reprise her role as UNIT commanding officer Brigadier Winfred Bambera. The character has appeared on audio before, in a 2011 Lost Story from the planned Season 27, however this is the first time she will lead her own series.
With Doctor Who on a creative high for its final television season, if failing to impact the ratings, Ben Aaronovitch’s Battlefield offered a slight reinvention of UNIT. Under the command of Bambera, the organisation is a properly European affair, sporting the blue berets of the UN and a variety of accents. Cast as a counterpoint to Nicholas Courtney’s old soldier Brigadier Lethbridge-Stewart, Angela Bruce’s Bambera highlighted this iteration of UNIT as diverse and open to all; a message as important now as it was then.
UNIT: Brave New World
Expect heroics, high stakes and havoc across the globe – and beyond – as the ever-resourceful Brigadier Bambera assembles her new team, including sarcastic second-in-command, Sergeant Jean-Paul Savarin (Alex Jordan) and tough scientific advisor, Dr Louise Rix (Yemisi Oyinloye).
The first volume of three stories, set for release in June 2022 are Rogue State by Robert Valentine, Time Flies by Alison Winter and Dark Side of the Moon by Alfie Shaw. The second follows in November 2022.
With no other details available as yet, we can only speculate as to whether any other familiar voices will appear. If the stories are set post-Battlefield, there’s scope for a Lethbridge-Stewart appearance as the character is now voiced by Jon Culshaw. Equally, Sylvester McCoy or Sophie Aldred could well guest-star.
As the series develops, we hope there’s scope for Bambera to pop up in other ranges too. We’d love to hear her meet Paul McGann’s Eighth Doctor!
Brigadier Bambera speaks
On her return to the role, Angela Bruce said:
“If I wasn’t Brigadier Bambera as she is now in this wonderful box set, I’d marry her. I would. I’d marry her. I find her irresistible. Within one character, you get to have all the control and all the power that you have ever desired. I feel deep joy in bringing her back.
It’s really nice being thought of. It’s really nice that Big Finish have thought, ‘Brigadier Bambera, we haven’t heard anything from her for a while.’ And you go, ‘Oh really, you’d like to hear from me? You’d like to write something for Brigadier Bambera?’ YES! Bring. Her. On.
You’re meeting Bambera – and me – at a time when I’m full. Bambera’s happy in her own skin. And so am I. So this is the right time to meet her again. I think fans will love these new UNIT adventures. It’s brought that hunger back in me. Brigadier Bambera’s getting stronger every day.”
Producer Emily Cook adds:
“Brigadier Bambera is back! A series of UNIT adventures led by Bambera is something I know many fans have been anticipating for a long time. (Rightly so – it’s an obviously brilliant thing to do.) And finally, here we go!
This is a distinct new era for UNIT. Brave New World is set in the late 1990s. The Cold War is over, the geopolitical landscape is in flux and the Millennium is fast approaching. Brigadier Bambera is deemed the right candidate to lead UNIT into the 21st century. But in this brave new world, the stakes are higher than ever…
“It’s been incredible fun developing this series and exploring Bambera’s life beyond Battlefield. Like Bambera, Angela herself is a phenomenal character to work with. We’ve had the most wonderful, lively days in studios. It’s so thrilling to see Bambera in action again. And that’s the joy of Big Finish. These brilliant characters get the spotlight they deserve!”
If you’re keen to brush up on your Brigadiers, Battlefield opens Doctor Who‘s Season 26. It’s currently available on Limited Edition Blu-Ray and the standard edition arrives on Monday 27th January 2022.
And both volumes of UNIT: Brave New World are available to pre-order from Big Finish.