Key Takeaways
- Three original Doctor Who actors are coming back as part of the Companion Chronicles range.
- Big Finish announces four new spinoffs featuring first Doctor adventures in dramatized readings.
- The four spinoffs features the First Doctor’s companions Vicki, Susan, Stephen and Dodo Chaplet.
Three Doctor Who actors who appeared in the first Doctor Who series are making a comeback. The trio will appear in the franchise’s new spinoffs.
Doctor Who is one of the iconic science fiction series in Britain. It first aired its first episode on November 23, 1963. After six decades, the franchise lives on and will be celebrating another milestone anniversary later this month. Four new spinoffs are in the works, featuring three actors who appeared in the first series.
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Big Finish Production is producing four new Doctor Who spinoffs as part of the Companion Chronicles range. It just announced Families, a brand-new box set of dramatized readings focusing on the “plucky adventures” of the First Doctor, then portrayed by William Hartnell. So, it’s not surprising that it will include three stars from the original Doctor Who series — Carole Ann Ford, Maureen O’Brien and Peter Purves. The trio will reprise their roles as Susan Foreman, Vicki and Steven Taylor, respectively. Stephen Noonan and Lauren Cornelius will also be joining the cast as the Doctor and Dodo Chaplet. “The writers have cooked up beautiful tales for Susan, Vicki and Stephen, played by the wonderfully talented original actors, and we’re re-introducing Dodo… I sincerely hope everyone enjoys what we have to offer – here’s to more years of Companion Chronicles!” said Dominic G. Martin, per Digital Spy.
The first adventure, titled The Temple of Light, features Vicki in an “entirely unfamiliar civilization.” The event is set when time has stopped and the Tardis has frozen. The other adventure, Stardust and Ashes, follows Susan as she revisits an incident from the past where the companion and her “traveling family” are at “the mercy of machine intelligence.” Susan will share the lessons she learned from the said incident. Steven’s story is set during the medieval era. Steven and the Doctor land in Normandy and are set to sail to England. However, it will not be a smooth journey because Steven will be involved in a case of mistaken identity. The fourth story, The Y Factor, sees Dodo (originally played by Jackie Lane) and the Doctor fighting an “alien fungus” that can manipulate thoughts, making the battle even more challenging.
Since the four spinoffs are about the First Doctor’s adventures, bringing the characters from the original Doctor Who series makes sense. All of them sound interesting, but Ford’s story will likely tug at one’s heartstrings because she portrays Susan, who is the Doctor’s granddaughter and first companion. It’s refreshing to revisit her adventure with the Doctor because the duo is family, and she brings out a different side of the Doctor. In fact, Susan is instrumental in the Doctor’s interactions with humans. The Y Factor featuring Dodo is a gripping storyline because it appears to be a mind game. Also, the original Dodo passed away in 2021, so Cornelius’ take on the character is something to watch for. The spinoff appears to be an answer to Ford’s request. She previously stated that she wanted to return to the franchise for its 60th-anniversary special. Ford is the only surviving main cast member from the original series.
Doctor Who streams on Disney Plus.
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Source: Digital Spy