May 19th, 2026 no comments

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Big Finish The War Doctor Rises Fear of the Light

The War Rani

Jonathon Carley and Siobhan Redmond star in The War Doctor Rises: Fear of the Light, a box set of full-cast audio drama, available now.

The War Doctor (Jonathon Carley) returns today for his latest epic audio adventure. This time, he’s joined by a fellow Gallifreyan, and it’s one he’s got history with – the Rani is back!

Siobhan Redmond (known for TV series including Two Doors Down and The High Life) provides the voice of the scheming scientist for the first time since 2015. In this three-part story scripted by Rochana Patel, the Rani has a plan to rebuild a universe devastated by the Time War, and she needs the Doctor’s assistance to put it into action.

While he’s not so keen on this idea, the Doctor needs the Rani’s help too, to escape extermination from the Daleks (Nicholas Briggs), and so the two enter an unsteady alliance. In these dark days, can the two Time Lords stand together, or will they become enemies once more?

The War Doctor Rises: Fear of the Light is now available to purchase for just £19.99 (download to own) or £29.99 (download to own + three-disc collector’s edition CD), exclusively from www.bigfinish.com. Please note: the collector’s edition CD box set is strictly limited to 1,000 copies and will not be re-pressed.

The three thrilling instalments in Fear of the Light are:

The Twilight Enclave

Fleeing from the Daleks, the Doctor sends a distress call, in desperate need of rescue…

…and it’s answered by one of his oldest friends, and deadliest foes…

The Rani.

The Frozen Wastes

The Doctor must consider the unthinkable.

Can he set their differences aside, and work with The Rani, on a project that could change the future of the universe…?

The Burning Lands

The Rani stands on the brink of success.

The future of the universe is about to change…

The box set’s guest cast includes Barnaby Edwards as Malvore, an augmented Tetrap, and Thomas Arnold and Ony Uhiara as different incarnations of the Time Lord Vaylen.

Lead actor Jonathon Carley said: “It’s a tough dilemma for the War Doctor in this one! From the first scene when the Rani contacts him, I genuinely got goosebumps. Siobhan has been superb from the word go. I thought, she’s not just the Rani, she’s my Rani now!”

His co-star Siobhan Redmond added: “What a joy it is to be back. I’ve been unavoidably elsewhere detained for ten years, and I’m back raring to go. I’m delighted by the Rani in these episodes – she’s one step ahead, as usual. I’d forgotten just how heady and delightful it is to be allowed to be the Rani, because she’s so clever and so naughty, and has no empathy. Glorious combination.”

Praise for the previous The War Doctor Rises volume, Cybergene:

“One of the best releases in this series, and an absolute must-listen for Cyber-fans everywhere.” – Doctor Who Magazine

“Jonathon Carley does a brilliant job as the War Doctor … the whole team knocked this one out of the park.” – The Rabbi from Another Planet

“If you love the Cybermen, this one’s definitely for you!” – CultBox

Big Finish listeners can save money by purchasing Fear of the Light in a bundle with 2026’s second War Doctor Rises box set (Title TBC), due for release in December 2026, for just £38 (download to own) or £56 (download to own + collector’s edition CD box set).

Categorised under: Big Finish, CD, spin-offs