The Doctor and Yaz take a festive trip back in time to the 12th Century and the court of King Henry II.
Since Doctor Who’s 2005 return, most series have showcased the flexible format with a story set in present, followed by trips to the past and then the future. Or the other way around.
Big Finish’s new Thirteenth Doctor series continues that pattern. Following their vampire hen do shenanigans and visit to Velazarr, ‘Lionesses in Winter’ finds Yaz and the Doctor back in British history.
Lionesses in Winter
Lisa McMullin’s story takes us Christmas, circa 1183, with a bunch who just happen to be the English royal family. It begins as King Henry II enjoys a frosty reunion with his estranged wife Eleanor of Aquitaine, who he’s just released from banishment after she led an insurrection against him.
Enter the Doctor, who the regal pair already seem to know, although they recognise her as cousin Brunhild. Then Yaz – lost the maze until she’s brought to safety by Prince Phillip. Except there isn’t a Phillip in the family…
The tale goes on to blend the domestic and the spooky, as this spectral Prince appears at the window and demands to be let in. Singing a carol that has yet to be written. Soon the time-travellers, plus the King’s ward Alys are on the case, investigating her relationship with an imaginary boy who lived in the mirror of her nursery.
The Doctor and Yaz dynamic runs at full steam here and, as ever, it’s great fun. Mandip Gill gets the space to play the dependable companion we were told Yaz was, but didn’t always get to see on screen. For her part, Jodie Whittaker is commanding and enjoys some great moments, especially in the story’s denouement.
Leading the guest cast, Kevin Mathurin and Debra Baker entertain as the sparring royal couple. Dolly Webb sparkles as Alys who manages to get her head around time travel to assist the Doctor and gains a new perspective along the way. Playing Prince Phillip, Ammar Duffus is impressively sinister too.
In Summary
With festive ghostly goings-on and its dysfunctional family dynamic, ‘Lionesses in Winter’ rolls out at a zippy pace. Although primarily standalone, there are beginnings of a story arc with something coming after the Doctor. In the story’s quieter moments, there’s also time to reflect on the enduring pain of child loss and how parents carry it throughout their lives.
After all that hanging about at New Year on the telly, the Thirteenth Doctor finally has her own Christmas tale. While it might not topple ‘The Chimes of Midnight’ from its top spot, this is another great addition to our festive Doctor Who playlist.
The Thirteenth Doctor Adventures: Lionesses In Winter is out now from Big Finish. It’s available as a digital download to own, or as a download to own with Collector’s Edition CD.
Next Time: ‘Ride or Die’
The series continues in the New Year with ‘Ride or Die’ from writer Rochana Patel.
The Doctor and Yaz have been sent a list of coordinates… each one pointing to a location in time and space where people are disappearing – but why?
The trail leads to a war-torn world, where conscripted humans battle the terrifying Banshee. Can the Doctor end this conflict before she loses her best friend?
Joining the regulars, the guest cast includes Ako Mitchell, Harry Ryan, Lauren O’Leary, Giulia Innocenti, Jason Forbes and Maddison Bulleyment.
Doctor Who – The Thirteenth Doctor Adventures: Ride or Die is out in January 2026 and available to pre order now from Big Finish.