It’s a retro-futuristic chiller for the Ninth Doctor and Rose as they encounter the mysterious Dark Tides.

Freed from the confines of Rose’s home on the Powell Estate, where the first half of the series has taken place, the latest Ninth Doctor adventure takes us out into the universe.

While in the future, this story is set in one of humanity’s numerous dark ages where technological advances gave way to superstition – the perfect place setting for a creepy tale of myth and legend.

Dark Tides

For a while now, Tim Foley has been Big Finish’s go to writer of gothic tinged tales, penning the superb Fifth Doctor epic Hooklight, as well as returns for the infamous Time Lord criminal Morbius in both the Dark Gallifrey and War Doctor ranges.

Here, he applies a similar tone as Rose and the Doctor join an expedition seeking a lost ship. Adrift at the edge of the universe, the Vesterbold has returned and a Knight of the Atlas seeks its treasure.

The quest is undertaken by the arrogant Sir Cal (Ben Arogundade), assisted by his trusty Wiseman Holbrook (David Shaw Parker) and nervy squire Mervyn (Sam Stafford). The dynamic between the three plays out interestingly, with the Knight touting a historical claim on the ship. What’s also fascinating is how these archaic space farers are reliant on technology that they no longer understand or know how to fix!

However, the real star of the piece is Doon Mackichan (Good Omens) as Dr Vivian Rest. Giving a terrific performance, she’s the impossible sole survivor of the Vesterbold who’s more than a match for both the Doctor and Sir Cal!

In Summary

While Christopher Eccleston’s Doctor puzzles out the mystery, this is a great tale for Rose. She instantly pals up with the put-upon but likeable Mervyn and chafes against the sexism of the supposedly chivalrous Knights.

The TARDIS barely escaped Earth in 2005, but ‘Dark Tides’ provides a great space bound adventure which slots in perfectly. Featuring Rose’s first spacewalk this is a creepy and claustrophobic tale, and audio Doctor Who on top form. More like this please!

Doctor Who – The Ninth Doctor Adventures: Dark Tides is available on CD or download to own from Big Finish now.

Catch up on our reviews of The Ninth Doctor Adventures.

Next Time: False Friends

Minnie and Gary are trapped on a planet of robots, a fake Earth, and they’re the only humans – hoping no-one spots their humanity. They summon the one person they know will answer their call for help.

But can the Doctor and Rose save Gary and Minnie from this false Earth – and who has built this very bad copy of human civilisation in the first place?

‘False Friends’ comes from writer Timothy X Atack and stars Chirstopher Eccleston and Billie Piper, with Máiréad Tyers (Extraordinary). The guest cast also includes Nicole Davis, Glen McCreedy and Joe Pitts.

Doctor Who – The Ninth Doctor Adventures: False Friends is available to pre order from Big Finish now and released in October 2026.