Jodie Whittaker and Mandip Gill begin their audio drama adventures with a new series for the Thirteenth Doctor and Yasmin Khan.
It’s been nearly eight years since Jodie Whittaker was first announced as the Doctor, revealed in a specially shot promo which aired after the 2017 Wimbledon Men’s Final.
Her tenure as the Doctor on screen lasted for three seasons and a few specials, slightly disrupted by a global pandemic, and wrapping up in 2022’s BBC Centenary Special ‘The Power of the Doctor’. Of course, she also popped back up for Ncuti Gatwa’s recent exit too.
Throughout her time, Whittaker’s Doctor was accompanied by several companions and allies. However, the one friend consistently by her side was Mandip Gill’s Yasmin Khan.
Now, the pair pick up their adventures on audio with a new series of twelve stories. In terms of continuity, it slots in between end of series 12 and before the events of Flux. Released bi-monthly across the next two years, they alternate with the new Ninth Doctor and Rose Tyler series which begins in August.
The Thirteenth Doctor Adventures: ‘Vampire Weekend’
It’s Gina’s hen-do and her Maid of Honour has booked a large manor in the Peak District. All her friends should be here – including Yasmin Khan, who’s been mysteriously quiet whilst away on her travels.
But Yaz is bringing a guest. Someone who isn’t invited. Someone who might prove a little disruptive.
The Doctor is joining the celebrations. Unfortunately, so is an ancient enemy…
In the guest cast of Vampire Weekend are Daniel Walford as Daryl, Anna Crichlow as Zoya and Kat, Jeremy Ang Jones as Mason, and Mandi Symonds as Gina’s mum.
The story comes from writer Tim Foley, and director Ken Bentley.
Jodie Whittaker said:
“I like anything to do with vampires – one of my favourite films is Let the Right One In – so it’s nice to be a part of a different genre.
“And what was so fun about this story is the amount of dialogue that the Doctor and Yaz have together. Often in the TV episodes, particularly when we had a lot of characters on screen, it was very action-packed, but it wouldn’t always be dialogue-heavy, whereas I’ve really loved all the duologues that we’ve had.”
Mandip Gill added:
“I absolutely loved playing these characters again. I get asked, did we miss them, but I feel like they’ve never really left. When I first read this script, it was really exciting. I get to drive a lot of the story, and it’s about Yaz’s personal life, which is good.
Mandip Gill has voiced a special trailer for the production…
Doctor Who – The Thirteenth Doctor Adventures: Vampire Weekend is out now. It’s available as a digital download to own, or as a download to own with Collector’s Edition CD, only from Big Finish.