May 26th, 2020
23 comments
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Revamped Doctor Who Audio Ranges from Big Finish
Commencing January 2022, Big Finish will relaunch its regular Doctor Who release schedule as a series of dedicated ranges for each of the first twelve incarnations of the Doctor.
For more than two decades, Big Finish has been producing brand new Doctor Who audio adventures starring the actors who originated the role on TV; Tom Baker, Peter Davison, Colin Baker, Sylvester McCoy, Paul McGann, David Tennant and John Hurt.
In recent years, many new ranges have been introduced to the release schedule, incorporating all of the Doctors’ eras from 1963 to 2017. As the company looks to the future, a revised schedule will see a number of new range additions.
Senior Producer David Richardson said: “There are so many exciting new directions ahead. Where did the First Doctor and Dodo go next after leaving the planet of The Savages? What happened to the Second Doctor after The War Games? What new adventures await the Third Doctor and Sarah Jane Smith? What happened on the Seventh Doctor’s Last Day? The adventures are only just beginning…”
The original Big Finish audio drama range – now called the Monthly Adventures – represents a continuous, unbroken run of new Doctor Who audio adventures, one every month, since 1999. This range, of late featuring adventures for the Fifth, Sixth and Seventh Doctors, will end with release number 275. Thereafter, there will be a regular rotation of releases, with each Doctor starring in their own box sets of adventures throughout the year.
Big Finish chairman and executive producer, Jason Haigh-Ellery said: “One comment we hear more often from new listeners is that they find it hard to know where to begin with our back catalogue of Doctor Who adventures. This change to our release schedule will make it easier for people to start. With a range for each Doctor, there will be a natural ‘stepping on point’ for fans.”
Creative director and executive producer, Nicholas Briggs, added: “As well as making our ranges much less confusing for Big Finish beginners, these changes will allow us more exciting new possibilities and creative freedom.
“By freeing the Fifth, Sixth and Seventh Doctors from the constrictions of the Monthly Adventures schedule, and giving them their own distinct ranges, we will be able to introduce more surprising cast combinations, different story lengths, and more story arcs.”
Big Finish listeners keen to complete their collection of Monthly Adventures should read the following:
- A 3-release CD / download subscription will be available, starting from #271, #272 or #273, which should enable the majority of subscribers to extend their subscription to the end of the range. Three-release subscriptions are priced at £32.50 for collector’s edition CDs and £27.50 for downloads.
- Any existing subscribers who find themselves unable to purchase #274 or #275 via a combination of the 12/6/3-release options should contact [email protected], who will be able to process their orders offline.
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The Fishmonger
May 30th, 2020 - 11:48amI’m hoping that the first lines of this press release is a hint that they may have secured Matt Smith and Peter Capaldi, (probably not Eccleston but here’s hoping) so we get more of them and David Tennant. If this is the case, i’d be fully on board.
While Jacob Dudman does a great job in the Doctor Chronicles, they are narrated stories. For full cast dramas I think you need the actual Doctor actor in there where possible.
Doctor Mysterio
May 26th, 2020 - 7:31pmThey are right, there are a lot of ranges and a lot of confusion. I wonder if there’ll be a little reorganisation of what is already available as BF moves towards more modern digital distribution.
Tbh I have already switched some time ago to digital versions for all releases I’ve purchased (apart from main range ones). I just didn’t have the room for any more CD’s. I’ll stick it out to the 275 now though – bet they’ll have some fab stories lined up to round these arcs off. A shame there was never a Tom story in the monthly range though.
The Ergon
May 26th, 2020 - 9:25pmIts always a space issue with CDs.Big Finish is the only form of CDs i would own now. I,ve tried them on digital but its not the same. I miss the picture sleeves etc.. I readjust and try to create space for all my collections and i know where to draw the line and say no to certain items of merchandise.
me
May 26th, 2020 - 6:08pmthe problem for me is that there is so many doctor who stories from big finish i can never remember which ones i got and which ones i haven t got, the numbering system was good for me i have never missed a cd from the first one with the box sets i know i am missing some but i do not know the titles
Nick
May 26th, 2020 - 1:38pmShame, an era is over. Having collected the monthly releases since 1999, the adventures that work the best are the ones with an epic feel that have a strong narrative which captures the audience. Some of the more recent monthly adventures over the last few years have really lacked this. Have to say with some of the monthly productions really lacking the dynamism and sparkle of the earlier releases in terms of plot and scope. So I have been cautious about buying the monthly releases of late and purchased the boxsets like the Fourth Doctor adventures. Personally – I do not have a problem with the recasting of the roles – I really like the Third Doctor adventures. Tim Treloar does a brilliant job as the Third Doctor. As for Jon Culshaw as the Brig – fantastic! I think these adventures sound really authentic and are great productions.
Doug Who
May 26th, 2020 - 12:48pmAn interesting development and I suppose it makes it a bit easier to pick and choose. Depends how many sets are released each month but could be a rather expensive business. I already limit myself to a few ranges for that reason.
Personally I don’t buy the recast Doctors releases and I remember the days when BF said they would never do that. Times change I suppose. I’ve given them a try but they’re not for me and in particular the Third Doctor does not convince. As long as the original actors are with us (and I hope that’s a long time) I’ll stick with those.
sick of lockdown
May 26th, 2020 - 6:32pmthe box sets are always more expensive then the monthly range
Bundy
May 26th, 2020 - 8:38pmlol – I remember the FAQ from those days; would never recast, don’t need Tom, don’t need Davros – but then who could tell back then what was to come.
Hope 275 is a sequel to the Sirens of Time.
Doctor Mysterio
May 26th, 2020 - 9:58pmSpoilers, Bundt, but there has already been a sequel to Sirens!
Whorules
May 26th, 2020 - 10:16pmIt was Gary Russell who absolutely ruled out recasting. Have to say it’s not for me. But people seem to like them so fair play
AT
May 26th, 2020 - 11:50amNothing about this announcement appeals to me. It reeks of price hiking for every release and worse more distasteful recasting, (a new Second Doctor in a 6B Series & Sadie as Sarah-Jane with the rubbish fake Third Doctor). Big Finish are already churning out some poor quality box sets and this looks set to become the norm. Removing your core product is a huge mistake. A shame but the beginning of the end for me.
The Ergon
May 26th, 2020 - 1:01pmWho do you think would make a good replacement third Doctor? If anybody was going to be cast as Sarah Jane, it may as well keep it in the family having Sadie aboard (Even though Lis Sladens voice is inimitable) in the same way i think David troughton would be perfect to voice the second or Sean Pertwee doing the third. I wouldn,t by those as they are cast now although i,m sure these have their fans.
The Outcast
May 26th, 2020 - 1:34pmWho says it won’t be Frazer Hines doing his 2nd Doctor impression for Season 6B stories?
Personally, I think Big Finish still puts out a lot of good stuff, especially the War Master stuff, which has been consistently great so far, with the exception of perhaps volume 3, which was still pretty good.
Doctor Mysterio
May 26th, 2020 - 10:01pmI still think there’ll be all tastes catered for, don’t worry. And an excellent back catalogue.
Alan Silvester
May 26th, 2020 - 10:22pmYes, like you AT, I am more than a little worried by this announcement. I do not like the “recast” adventures either, and can only see a crude pricing increase behind this move. I will need to be convinced, other I too fear it is the beginning of the end for me and BF.
Kevin225
May 26th, 2020 - 10:46amDoes that mean that there will be no ‘Monthly/Main Range’ equivalent releases from March 2021 (number 275) until the relaunch in January 2022?
The Outcast
May 26th, 2020 - 1:36pmI’d imagine next year will see the start of the boxset ranges for 5, 6 and 7 as well as the last three stories of the Main Range. But I could be wrong.
Kevin225
May 26th, 2020 - 7:44pmBut it says that the relaunch is January 2022?
The Ergon
May 26th, 2020 - 9:17pmThese are planned so far in advance. From March to april 2021 which is as far as it goes at present theres ‘Stranded 2’,The lost stories ‘return of the cybermen’ and ‘The Doomsday contract’, Master! and the First doctor Adventures 5 amongst a few others.
Kevin225
May 26th, 2020 - 9:57pmYes, but nothing that is either a Main Range/Monthly equivalent or replacement (i.e. nothing 5th, 6th or 7th).
Doctor Mysterio
May 26th, 2020 - 10:08pmNothing else yet. You may also find that some releases are delayed or rescheduled due to the current lockdown, so that window may be filled later.
The Ergon
May 26th, 2020 - 11:50pmThere are some monthly titles due out early in 21 TBA.
The Ergon
May 26th, 2020 - 10:41amThere are lots of intriguing possibilities here where the series could diverge even though it looks like the prices are being hiked up in conjunction. I,d be interested to see who,d voice second, thats if it isn,t just another impersonator or Fraser hines. I personally would like those First doctor adventures with david bradley to continue though with the actors who played the identifying parts in An adventure in space and time, who it revealed during the publicity shots, for Ben, polly, Dodo and Steven. Saying that I,d love Jackie lane to return.