Launching in March 2024, weekly episodes will be introduced by Colin Baker.
Audio producers Big Finish have been in the Doctor Who business for a remarkable 25 years. During that time, they’ve worked with countless Doctors and companions, expanding the series’ in almost every conceivable direction.
Over the years, they’ve given us more of fleeting on screen incarnations, such as the Eighth, Ninth and War Doctors. They have also created memorable new companions such as Charley Pollard, Evelyn Smythe and Valarie Lockwood. Their stories have also righted a few wrongs along the way too for characters who got short shrift on screen.
Big Finish audio dramas were first issued on cassette, before expanding into CD, vinyl and download formats. Some have aired on the radio and even been available to stream. However, they haven’t fully embraced the world of podcasts… until now.
The Into the TARDIS podcast
To mark 25 years of this output, Big Finish Productions, in association with BBC Studios, Zebralution Podcast, Apple and Acast, are excited to announce Into the TARDIS, which will showcase fan-favourite stories from Big Finish’s back catalogue.
The stories will be presented in episodic instalments released weekly on Saturdays – like the original serialised broadcast of classic Doctor Who stories on the BBC. Each episode will feature a brand-new introduction read by Colin Baker (who played the Sixth Doctor on TV and continues to do so for Big Finish), as well as behind-the-scenes interviews.
Each weekly instalment will run for approximately 30 minutes. The first story to be serialised will be ‘Death and the Queen’, starring David Tennant and Catherine Tate.
Big Finish chairman Jason Haigh-Ellery said:
“As part of the celebration marking 25 years of Big Finish Doctor Who audio drama productions, I am delighted to announce that Big Finish are partnering with BBC Studios, Zebralution, Apple and Acast to launch Into the TARDIS – the first officially licensed Doctor Who audio drama podcast. This is an initiative that we have been working on for some time and I am particularly excited about, as it will bring Big Finish’s work to a far wider audience.”
Into the TARDIS will be available via all podcast platforms, and all listeners will be able to stream it for free with ads.
Users of Apple Podcasts will have the additional option of subscribing for £2.99 a month. This grants early access to episodes and ad-free listening. A 3-day free trial of this subscription will also be available.
This new podcast venture is the first of various projects to celebrate the 25th anniversary of Doctor Who at Big Finish – we’ll keep you posted.