{{Short description|Audio plays based on the popular TV series}} {{DISPLAYTITLE:''Doctor Who'' audio productions}} {{good article}} {{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}} [[File:Doctor Who (2020) logo.svg|thumb|The ''Doctor Who'' logo used as of 2022]] A number of officially licensed '''audio productions''' based upon the long-running British [[science fiction on television|science fiction television]] series ''[[Doctor Who]]'' have been produced over the years. ''Doctor Who'' stars an alien known as [[the Doctor]], who has the ability to change their face and appearance when they die. They travel in time and space in a ship known as the [[TARDIS]]. The series began in 1963, though was cancelled in 1989. Following a failed revival via a [[Doctor Who (film)|1996 TV movie]], the show was revived in 2005.
Though a few scattered releases existed throughout the 1960s, a major release for ''Doctor Who'' audio productions did not exist until the 1976 release of ''Doctor Who and Pescatons''. Later radio stories were released during the 1980s and 1990s. During the 1980s, fans began to produce their own fan-made audio productions, with many becoming highly popular. One of the most popular of these groups, the Audio Visuals, had its members eventually obtain a license from the BBC, ''Doctor Who''<nowiki/>'s parent company, in the 1990s. These fans founded the company [[Big Finish Productions]], which ended up officially producing audio dramas for the franchise following the 1999 release of their first officially licensed audio drama, ''[[The Sirens of Time]]''. Another member of the group ended up founding [[BBV Productions]], which produced unofficial audio dramas based on characters from the series. Several other official audio productions have been produced based on the franchise.
Initial radio releases garnered high popularity with fans, and many fan-made audio groups have become highly popular and influential within the community. Big Finish has similarly been described as popular among fans, with its style of story credited with influencing the tone of the show's 2005 revival. One of its audio releases, 2003's [[Jubilee (audio drama)|''Jubilee'']], was later adapted into the 2005 television story "[[Dalek (Doctor Who episode)|Dalek]]".
== Early productions and radio stories == ''Doctor Who'' is a British [[science-fiction television]] series that began in 1963. It stars an alien known as [[the Doctor]], who has the ability to change their face and appearance when they die. They travel in time and space in a ship known as the [[TARDIS]].<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Nicol|first=Danny|date=May 1, 2020|title=''Doctor Who'', Family and National Identity|journal=Entertainment & Sports Law Journal|volume=18|issue=4|pages=1–11|via=[[EBSCO Information Services|EBSCO]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Grady|first=Constance|date=2023-12-13|title=''Doctor Who''{{'}}s big twist betrayed the show's oldest rule|url=https://www.vox.com/culture/24000340/doctor-who-the-giggle-david-tennant-russell-t-davies|access-date=2025-05-21|website=[[Vox media|Vox]]|language=en-US}}</ref>
One of the earliest audio releases for the franchise was an abridged version of the soundtrack of the 1966 film ''[[Daleks' Invasion Earth 2150 A.D.]]'' was aired on radio in the same year as its release. Though an original radio series starring [[Peter Cushing]] as [[Dr. Who (Dalek films)|his film role]] was reportedly in the works, with a [[Pilot episode|pilot]] recorded, the pilot was never broadcast and is believed to have been lost.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Walsh |first=John |url=https://www.google.com/books/edition/Dr_Who_The_Daleks_The_Official_Story_of/ZvtlEAAAQBAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=movietime+daleks+invasion+earth&pg=PA153&printsec=frontcover |title=Dr. Who & The Daleks: The Official Story of the Films |date=2022-12-20 |publisher=Titan Books (US, CA) |isbn=978-1-80336-089-8 |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":1" /> An abridged episode of 1966 serial [[The Chase (Doctor Who)|''The Chase'']] was released by Century 21 Records in the same year.<ref name=":1">{{Cite book |last=Valdron |first=D. G. |url=https://www.google.com/books/edition/The_Last_Pirate_s_History_of_Doctor_Who/OLOGEAAAQBAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=pescatons+-wikipedia&pg=PA65&printsec=frontcover |title=The Last Pirate's History of Doctor Who: exploring the hidden corners and overlooked worlds of the Whoniverse |date=2022-03-15 |publisher=Fossil Cove Press |isbn=978-1-990860-31-7 |language=en}}</ref> After this, ''Doctor Who'' saw no further audio releases for nearly a decade. In 1974, an audio production starring [[Jon Pertwee]] as the [[Third Doctor]] dubbed ''Glorious Goodwood'' was planned to release as a radio sketch, though ended up being scrapped.<ref name=":1" />
The first major ''Doctor Who'' audio production, released on [[gramophone record|LP record]] in 1976, was a children's adventure entitled ''Doctor Who and the Pescatons'' by [[Victor Pemberton]]. This story featured [[Tom Baker]] and [[Elisabeth Sladen]] reprising their on-screen roles as the [[Fourth Doctor]] and [[Sarah Jane Smith]].<ref>{{Cite news |date=2017-03-21 |title=Record Store Day: Our pick of 10 of the best releases |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-39325897 |access-date=2026-03-06 |work=BBC News |language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=McEwan |first=Cameron K |date=9 April 2017 |title=Classic Doctor Who Vinyl Reissued For Record Store Day 2017 |url=https://www.doctorwho.tv/news-and-features/classic-doctor-who-vinyl-reissued-for-record-store-day-2017 |access-date=5 March 2026 |website=Doctor Who.TV}}</ref> This production aimed to branch out into the successful vinyl market at a time of high popularity for the show, though ended up not being very popular.<ref name=":1" /> In 1976, Baker and Sladen reprised their roles in "The Time Machine", an episode of the [[BBC Schools]] series ''Exploration Earth''. It is credited as laying the groundwork for future Doctor Who radio plays produced in the 1980s and 1990s.<ref name=":0">{{Cite book |last=Muir |first=John Kenneth |url=https://www.google.com/books/edition/A_Critical_History_of_Doctor_Who_on_Tele/qMKSCgAAQBAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=%22The+Paradise+of+Death%22+-wikipedia&pg=PA414&printsec=frontcover |title=A Critical History of Doctor Who on Television |date=2015-09-15 |publisher=McFarland |isbn=978-1-4766-0454-1 |language=ar}}</ref>
1985's ''Slipback'' was the next radio production made. Starring [[Colin Baker]] and [[Nicola Bryant]] in their television roles as the [[Sixth Doctor]] and [[Peri Brown]], as well as [[Valentine Dyall]] as antagonist Captain Slarn. This story was written by ''Doctor Who''<nowiki/>'s script editor at the time, [[Eric Saward]]. ''Slipback'' was aired during an 18-month hiatus for the show and thus became highly anticipated by fans. It received highly positive responses from the fanbase, though some felt it was too comedic in nature and conflicted with on-screen canon.<ref name=":0" /> ''Slipback'' was later be novelised by Saward, and was later released in the US. ''Slipback'' was also released on a record album alongside the soundtrack of the 1975 serial ''[[Genesis of the Daleks]]''. Following the series' cancellation in 1989, no more radio productions were produced until 1993.<ref name=":0" /> [[File:Dr Who, John Pertwee (10842597324) (cropped2).jpg|thumb|225x225px|[[Jon Pertwee]] (pictured in-character as the [[Third Doctor]] in 1993) portrayed his on-screen role in several radio productions in the 1990s]] Due to the lack of official releases of ''Doctor Who'' on physical media, fans wanting to rewatch past episodes were forced to resort to unofficial off-air recordings of prior episode airings, as home video releases for the franchise would not occur until the 1990s. Additionally, those wanting further adventures beyond what was on-screen ended up producing fan-made audio drama series. The earliest known fan-made audio production group was dubbed ''Doctor Who Audio Dramas''. Dating back to 1982, the fan group continues to produce fan-made audio dramas, with over 190 episodes being produced over a thirty-year span. Many other groups were formed over the years following ''Doctor Who Audio Dramas''<nowiki/>' founding. One of these groups was the highly popular series known as the Audio Visuals.<ref name=":1" />
A five-part radio serial, ''The Paradise of Death'', was aired in 1993. Written by former script editor [[Barry Letts]], ''Paradise of Death'' starred Jon Pertwee, Elisabeth Sladen, and [[Nicholas Courtney]] in their on-screen roles of the Third Doctor, Sarah Jane Smith, and [[Brigadier Lethbridge-Stewart]], respectively. The story saw the trio deal with an attempted alien invasion via a technologically advanced amusement park. The story was well-received enough to warrant a sequel, ''The Ghosts of N-Space'', in 1996. It was also novelised by [[Virgin Books]] in 1994. The latter story was the final performance of Pertwee as the Third Doctor prior to his death in the same year.<ref name=":0" /> In 1994, [[BBC Radio 4]] in part of the series "[[Whatever Happened to ..?]]" broadcast a comedy drama entitled ''Whatever Happened to Susan Foreman?,'' which gave a tongue-in-cheek style story detailing aspects of character [[Susan Foreman]]'s history.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Bates |first=Philip |url=https://www.google.com/books/edition/Companions/bUNZEQAAQBAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=Whatever+Happened+to+Susan+Foreman?+-wikipedia&pg=PT20&printsec=frontcover |title=Companions: Sixty Years of Doctor Who Assistants |last2=Frankham-Allen |first2=Andy |date=2025-02-20 |publisher=Andrews UK Limited |isbn=978-0-7223-5561-9 |language=en}}</ref>
== 1990s productions ==
=== Audio Visuals and Big Finish Productions === {{Main|Big Finish Productions}} [[File:Nicholas Briggs.jpg|thumb|252x252px|[[Nicholas Briggs]], as pictured in 2008, was an important member behind the founding of Big Finish Productions]] During the 1980s, a group of fans, including [[Nicholas Briggs]], began to produce unlicensed audio dramas called the Audio Visuals. Four "seasons" were released between 1985 and 1991, which starred Briggs as the Doctor. Fueled by the lack of ''Doctor Who'' produced during its 1985 hiatus year, the Audio Visuals produced adventures in an attempt to fill the gap. Following the show's return, a lack of satisfaction with on-screen adventures resulted in a continuation of the Audio Visuals. The Audio Visuals were highly popular with fans, and circulated amongst many of the show's fan clubs during the 1980s.<ref name=":1" /> During the 1990s, Briggs, alongside [[Gary Russell]], went to the BBC and obtained the license for ''Doctor Who'', allowing them to produce ''Doctor Who'' audio dramas officially. Briggs wrote their first official release, ''[[The Sirens of Time]]'', which was released in 1999. Briggs and Russell roped in many writers for other ''Doctor Who'' spin-off material to help with the project, and the group eventually evolved into the company [[Big Finish Productions]].<ref name=":2">{{cite web|url=https://www.digitalspy.com/tv/cult/a831517/big-finish-nicholas-briggs-interview/|title=Celebrating Big Finish: How a gang of fans reinvented Doctor Who for a new audience|last=Jeffery|first=Morgan|date=23 June 2017|access-date=14 November 2022|website=Digital Spy}}</ref>
Following ''The Sirens of Time'', [[Doctor Who: The Monthly Adventures|monthly productions]] were released starring [[Peter Davison]], Colin Baker, and [[Sylvester McCoy]] as their on-screen roles as the [[Fifth Doctor|Fifth]], Sixth, and [[Seventh Doctor|Seventh]] Doctors, respectively. In 2001, [[Paul McGann]] reprised his role in new stories featuring his on-screen role of the [[Eighth Doctor]] for the first time since his appearance in the 1996 TV movie [[Doctor Who (film)|''Doctor Who'']]. Further stories were produced over the subsequent years, alternating between stories featuring the Fifth, Sixth, and Seventh Doctors and new stories continuing the Eighth Doctor's story following the events of the TV movie. During this time, higher-ups at the BBC allegedly "had no idea about the existence of Big Finish".<ref name=":2" /> Following the ''Doctor Who''<nowiki/>'s revival in 2005, Big Finish's stories ended up adapting a story style similar to that of the revival, and Briggs ended up being cast in the revival as the voice of multiple antagonists, including the [[Dalek]]s, [[Cyberman|Cybermen]], and [[Judoon]].<ref name=":2" /> Elements of Big Finish's audios were also be adapted into the revival in-turn, most notably through the direct adaptation of 2003 audio drama ''[[Jubilee (audio drama)|Jubilee]]'' into the 2005 episode "[[Dalek (Doctor Who episode)|Dalek]]".<ref name=":7">{{Cite book |last=Carroll |first=Rachel |url=https://books.google.com/books?hl=en&lr=&id=m4Otkfup39wC&oi=fnd&pg=PA46&dq=%22Big+Finish%22+++%22Doctor+Who&ots=RWRW9IAX7I&sig=4jr2ln8Is6u4lmExGL2a_-LpWqM#v=onepage&q=%22Big%20Finish%22%20+%20%22Doctor%20Who&f=false |title=Adaptation in Contemporary Culture: Textual Infidelities |date=2009-11-30 |publisher=A&C Black |isbn=978-0-8264-2464-8 |language=en}}</ref> In 2007, Big Finish partnered with [[BBC 7]] on a number of new audio plays for radio broadcast, as well as re-publishing a number of old audio plays on radio.<ref name=":2" /> [[File:Big Finish Productions logo 2021.jpg|thumb|The logo for [[Big Finish Productions]] as seen in 2021]] In 2012, Tom Baker reprised his role as the Fourth Doctor for Big Finish, and in 2015, elements from the show's revival were permitted for use in Big Finish audio productions, allowing for audio dramas based on elements such as the character [[River Song (Doctor Who)|River Song]] and spin-off series ''[[Torchwood]]'' to be produced. [[David Tennant]] and [[Billie Piper]] also reprised their on-screen roles of the [[Tenth Doctor]] and [[Rose Tyler]], respectively, for further audio dramas,<ref name=":2" /> with other actors from the revival to reprise the part in Big Finish including [[John Hurt]] as the [[War Doctor]] in 2015,<ref>{{Cite web |date=2015-10-05 |title=John Hurt returns in new Doctor Who audio series |url=https://www.digitalspy.com/tv/cult/a672008/john-hurt-will-reprise-the-war-doctor-in-new-doctor-who-audio-series/ |access-date=2026-03-06 |website=Digital Spy |language=en-GB}}</ref> [[Derek Jacobi]] as his incarnation of antagonist [[The Master (Doctor Who)|the Master]] in 2017,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Fullerton |first=Huw |title=Doctor Who: Derek Jacobi to return as The Master for Big Finish drama |url=https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/sci-fi/sir-derek-jacobi-to-return-as-the-war-master-in-new-doctor-who-audio-series/ |access-date=2026-03-06 |website=Radio Times |language=en-GB}}</ref> [[Christopher Eccleston]] as the [[Ninth Doctor]] in 2020,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Haring |first=Bruce |date=2020-08-09 |title='Doctor Who's' Ninth Doctor, Christopher Eccleston, Returns To Role In Audio Adventures |url=https://deadline.com/2020/08/doctor-who-christopher-eccleston-returns-in-audio-adventures-1203008427/ |access-date=2026-03-06 |website=Deadline |language=en-US}}</ref> [[Jo Martin]] and [[Sacha Dhawan]] as the [[Fugitive Doctor]] and Dhawan's incarnation of the Master, respectively, in 2022,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Carter |first=Justin |date=2022-04-23 |title=Doctor Who Announces New Audiobooks Starring the Fugitive Doctor and The Master |url=https://gizmodo.com/doctor-who-fugitive-doctor-master-audiobooks-announce-1848833459 |access-date=2026-03-06 |website=Gizmodo |language=en-US}}</ref> and [[Jodie Whittaker]] and [[Mandip Gill]] as the [[Thirteenth Doctor]] and [[Yasmin Khan (Doctor Who)|Yasmin Khan]], respectively, in 2024.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hibbs |first=James |title=Jodie Whittaker and Mandip Gill return to Doctor Who for new audio series {{!}} Radio Times |url=https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/sci-fi/jodie-whittaker-doctor-who-audio-newsupdate/ |access-date=2026-03-06 |website=Radio Times |language=en-GB}}</ref> Since its inception, Big Finish had engaged in a number of other audio series based on the franchise, which include adaptations of [[List of unmade Doctor Who serials and films|unmade episodes]] and other media such as [[List of Doctor Who comic stories|comic strips]], an alternate version of the series titled ''[[Doctor Who Unbound]]'', series focusing on supporting characters such as [[Henry Gordon Jago]] and [[George Litefoot]] and the [[Paternoster Gang]], and spin-off productions focusing on their own original creations.<ref name=":1" /> The license for Big Finish Productions has been renewed until 2035, guaranteeing further productions until then.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Flook |first=Ray |date=2026-02-07 |title=Doctor Who: Big Finish Renews Audio Drama License Through 2035 |url=https://bleedingcool.com/tv/doctor-who-big-finish-renews-audio-drama-license-through-2035/ |access-date=2026-03-06 |website=Bleeding Cool |language=en}}</ref>
=== BBV Productions === {{Main|BBV Productions}}
The Audio Visuals was initially founded by fan Bill Baggs, who, in the early 1990s, split off from the group to produce his own company, [[BBV Productions]].<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":3">{{Cite web |last=Griffith |first=Eric |date=2025-11-01 |title=Travel Through Time and Space With Doctor Who: How to Watch Every Single Episode, Plus Specials |url=https://www.pcmag.com/how-to/how-to-watch-every-doctor-who-episode-in-order |access-date=2026-03-06 |website=PCMAG |language=en}}</ref> A number of these productions, particularly from 1997 onwards, were done in audio format,<ref name=":1" /> and though some were officially licensed by the BBC, many were not.<ref name=":3" /> BBV Productions produced a number of stories featuring ''Doctor Who'' characters, including [[K9 (Doctor Who)|K9]], [[The Rani]], the [[Sontaran]]s, and the [[Zygon]]s,<ref>{{Cite book |last=Schuster |first=Marc |url=https://www.google.com/books/edition/The_Greatest_Show_in_the_Galaxy/v8NODwAAQBAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=BBV+Productions+audio+-wikipedia&pg=PA180&printsec=frontcover |title=The Greatest Show in the Galaxy: The Discerning Fan's Guide to Doctor Who |last2=Powers |first2=Tom |date=2014-11-29 |publisher=McFarland |isbn=978-1-4766-1077-1 |language=en}}</ref> taking advantage of the fact their copyrights were not owned by the [[BBC]], ''Doctor Who''<nowiki/>'s parent company, but rather the individual writers who had initially created them. BBV also adapted the spin-off series ''[[Faction Paradox]]'' in some of its audios, and a number of audio dramas were produced for ''The Stranger,'' which starred McCoy and [[Sophie Aldred]] in roles greatly resembling but ultimately distinct from their appearances in ''Doctor Who''.<ref name=":1" /> The BBC was greatly displeased by the BBV and Baggs, and when granting the license to Big Finish, included a clause that meant Baggs could never participate in production of Big Finish's audio dramas.<ref name=":1" />
== Other productions ==
=== ''Death Comes to Time'' === [[File:Stephen Fry at Berlinale 2024 Ausschnitt.jpg|thumb|232x232px|[[Stephen Fry]] (pictured in 2024) portrayed the Minister of Chance, who gained his own spin-off series following the publication of ''Death Comes to Time'']] ''Death Comes to Time'' is a 2001 audio drama produced by the BBC and released on [[BBC Online]]. Released as part of a webcast, the story attempts to create a final adventure for the Seventh Doctor and his companion [[Ace (Doctor Who)|Ace]]. The story notably deviates greatly from established canon, with the Doctor being depicted as an omnipotent ruler of the [[Time Lord]]s, his people, with the Time Lords being capable of altering space and time on a whim. One of his enemies in the story, the [[The Minister of Chance|Minister of Chance]], portrayed by [[Stephen Fry]], was featured in his own original line of audio dramas following this story's release.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-08-10 |title=Doctor Who: The Seventh Doctor's Odd Canon-Breaking Final Story |url=https://bleedingcool.com/tv/doctor-who-the-seventh-doctors-odd-canon-breaking-final-story/ |access-date=2026-03-06 |website=Bleeding Cool |language=en|last=Tantimedh|first=Adi}}</ref> ''Death Comes to Time'' was BBC Online's first drama production and the first officially published ''Doctor Who'' material released by the BBC itself since the TV movie.<ref name=":8">{{Cite news |date=2001-07-13 |title=What's up Doc? |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/1436969.stm |access-date=2026-03-06 |work=BBC News |language=en-GB}}</ref> The story notably [[kill off|killed off]] the Seventh Doctor, contradicting the television movie which depicts the character's on-screen demise.<ref name=":5" />
=== ''The Nest Cottage Chronicles'' === In 2009,<ref>{{Cite web |title=BBC - Press Office - Doctor Who Hornets' Nest comes to a conclusion with a sting in its tale |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/pressoffice/bbcworldwide/worldwidestories/pressreleases/2009/11_november/hornets_nest.shtml |access-date=2026-03-06 |website=BBC |language=en-GB}}</ref> Tom Baker agreed to reprise his role as the Fourth Doctor for a series of audio plays released directly to CD by the BBC titled ''Hornets' Nest,''<ref name=":5">{{Cite book |last=Kistler |first=Alan |url=https://www.google.com/books/edition/Doctor_Who/OXRBBAAAQBAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=Hornets'+Nest+doctor+who+-wikipedia&pg=PA144&printsec=frontcover |title=Doctor Who: A History |date=2013-10-01 |publisher=Simon and Schuster |isbn=978-1-4930-0016-6 |language=en}}</ref> which was written by writer [[Paul Magrs]].<ref name=":6">{{Cite news |last=Dee |first=Christel |date=31 March 2019 |title=Five ‘lost’ Doctor Who episodes come to audio and more in the latest Doctor Who releases from BBC Audio for Spring 2019 |url=https://www.doctorwho.tv/news-and-features/five-lost-doctor-who-episodes-come-to-audio-and-more-in-the-latest-doctor-who |access-date=5 March 2026 |work=Doctor Who.TV}}</ref> Two other series of audio dramas starring Baker, titled ''Demon Quest'' and ''Serpent Crest'', was later released.<ref name=":6" /> This was the first time Baker reprised his role for audio, barring audiobook releases, since he stopped appearing on-screen.<ref name=":5" /> Another audio release, The Winged Coven, was later released in 2019, serving as a sequel to the prior three installments.<ref name=":6" />
=== ''Torchwood'' audio productions === A number of ''[[Torchwood]]'' audio productions were released on radio. The first of these, ''Lost Souls'', was released in 2008 to celebrate BBC Radio 4's "Big Bang Day", a day of special programming commemorating the switch-on of the [[Large Hadron Collider]] at [[CERN]].<ref>{{cite press release |title=Radio 4 has exclusive access to CERN'S Big Bang experiment|publisher=BBC Press Office|date=2008-08-07|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/pressoffice/pressreleases/stories/2008/08_august/07/cern.shtml|access-date=2008-09-11}}</ref><ref name="bbcnews1">{{cite news |title=Torchwood set for 'Big Bang' day|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/7548994.stm|publisher=[[BBC News]]|date=2008-08-08|access-date=2008-09-11}}</ref> CERN was involved in the production of ''Lost Souls'' from its inception; according to writer [[Joseph Lidster]], "they're apparently big ''Torchwood'' fans."<ref name="stage">{{cite web |url=http://blogs.thestage.co.uk/tvtoday/2008/09/torchwood-lost-souls/|title=Torchwood – Lost Souls|accessdate=2008-09-17|authorlink=Mark Wright (writer)|date=2008-09-10|work=[[The Stage]]|publisher=TV Today blog|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080914000740/http://blogs.thestage.co.uk/tvtoday/2008/09/torchwood-lost-souls/|archive-date=14 September 2008|url-status=dead}}</ref> Representatives from CERN read the script to check for scientific accuracy; they also approved the plot, which required "that if the team were going to CERN, something had to go wrong".<ref name="stage" /> However, James Gillies, director of communications for CERN, wrote in an article for Radio 4's website, "The CERN of reality bears little resemblance to that of Joseph Lidster's ''Torchwood'' script."<ref>{{cite web |last1=Gillies |first1=James |title=CERN in Science-Fiction |url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/bigbang/sciencefiction.shtml |website=BBC Radio 4 |publisher=BBC |access-date=28 March 2026 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230209235418/http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/bigbang/sciencefiction.shtml |archive-date=9 February 2023 |url-status=dead <!-- page 1 is live, but Internet Archive is needed for page 2 -->}}</ref> According to John Barrowman, ''Lost Souls'' was the most downloaded radio or television that day on the BBC's [[iPlayer]] site.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/tv/a136046/a-quickie-with-john-barrowman.html|title=A quickie with John Barrowman|accessdate=2008-11-24|author=Neil Wilkes, Nick Levine|date=24 November 2008|work=Digital Spy}}</ref> Three further radio episodes, ''Asylum'', ''Golden Age'', and ''The Dead Line'', were released throughout 2009,<ref name="prequels">{{cite magazine |last=Lewinski|first=John Scott|url=https://www.wired.com/2009/07/children-of-earth-prequels-bring-torchwood-back-to-bbc-radio/|title='Children of Earth' Prequels Bring ''Torchwood'' Back to BBC Radio|magazine=[[Wired (magazine)|Wired]]|date=2009-07-01|accessdate=2018-01-30}}</ref> and were later released on CD.<ref name="audio">{{cite news |last=Dixon|first=Sophie Mae|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/pressoffice/bbcworldwide/worldwidestories/pressreleases/2009/08_august/torchwood_audio.shtml|title=New Radio 4 Torchwood dramas from BBC Audiobooks|publisher=[[BBC]]|date=2009-08-20|access-date=2018-01-30}}</ref>
Three radio plays, ''Torchwood: The Lost Files'', were produced in 2011 to promote the then-upcoming release of ''[[Torchwood: Miracle Day]]''. Initially published on BBC Radio 4 and under three parts— "The Devil and Miss Carew", "Submission" and "House of the Dead"— ''Lost Files'' was later released on CD and [[iTunes]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Tantimedh |first=Adi |last2=Johnston |first2=Rich |date=2011-07-18 |title=Look! It Moves! #107 by Adi Tantimedh: Torchwood On The Radio Again |url=https://bleedingcool.com/comics/recent-updates/look-it-moves-107-by-adi-tantimedh-torchwood-on-the-radio-again/ |access-date=2026-03-07 |website=Bleeding Cool |language=en}}</ref> These radio dramas were notably popular due to including character [[Ianto Jones]], who had been killed off in the television series ''[[Torchwood: Children of Earth]]''. Ianto's presence, and the expansion of his relationship with protagonist [[Jack Harkness]], was credited as significantly boosting listenership. Additionally boosting listenership was concern about ''Miracle Day''<nowiki/>'s production, as many fans were hesitant about the new American production team and thus flocked to the British-produced radio dramas. This resulted in a significantly higher yield of listeners than prior ''Torchwood'' radio dramas.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Porter |first=Lynnette |url=https://www.google.com/books/edition/The_Doctor_Who_Franchise/wldXXOyQoycC?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=%22Torchwood:+The+Lost+Files%22+-wikipedia&pg=PA55&printsec=frontcover |title=The Doctor Who Franchise: American Influence, Fan Culture and the Spinoffs |date=2012-09-18 |publisher=McFarland |isbn=978-1-4766-0091-8 |language=en}}</ref>
=== ''Doctor Who: Redacted'' === In 2022, [[BBC Sounds]] broadcast ''Doctor Who: Redacted'', a 10-episode podcast written by [[Juno Dawson]] and starring [[Charlie Craggs]], Lois Chimimba, and [[Holly Quin-Ankrah]]. Jodie Whittaker also appears, reprising her role as the Thirteenth Doctor from the television series.<ref name=":4">{{Cite news |last=Hogan |first=Micahel |date=29 April 2022 |title='Very gay, very trans': the incredible Doctor Who spin-off that's breathing new life into the franchise |work=[[The Guardian]] |url=https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2022/apr/29/doctor-who-redacted-transgender-podcast |access-date=2022-05-20}}</ref> The story stars a group of three [[queer]] women— Cleo, Abby, and Shawna— who host a paranormal conspiracy [[podcast]] called "The Blue Box Files", with the trio aiming to track down the truth behind the [[TARDIS]], running into a number of established characters while also dealing with struggles in their personal lives along the way.<ref name=":4" /><ref>{{Cite web |last=Fullerton |first=Huw |date=8 April 2022 |title=Jodie Whittaker to star in new Doctor Who audio drama spin-off |url=https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/sci-fi/jodie-whittaker-doctor-who-redacted-audio-drama-newsupdate/ |access-date=2022-05-20 |website=Radio Times}}</ref> A second, six-episode season aired in late 2023 with Dawson once again writing the show and Craggs, Chimimba, and Holly Quin-Ankrah returning to reprise their parts. ''[[The Sarah Jane Adventures]]'' actors [[Alexander Armstrong]] and [[Anjli Mohindra]] join the second-season cast, reprising their roles as [[Mr. Smith (The Sarah Jane Adventures)|Mr. Smith]] and [[Rani Chandra (The Sarah Jane Adventures)|Rani Chandra]], respectively.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Mensah |first=Katelyn |date=2023-09-11 |title=Doctor Who: Redacted podcast returns with Sarah Jane Adventures stars |language=en-GB |work=Radio Times |url=https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/sci-fi/doctor-who-redacted-podcast-season-2-newsupdate/ |access-date=2023-09-15}}</ref>
== Reception and legacy == During a gap year in the show in 1985, the release of ''Slipback'' was described by critic [[John Kenneth Muir]] as receiving an unusually highly positive reception from fans due to the lack of content for the series being produced.<ref name=":0" /> Later productions created during the 1990s similarly garnered high ratings due to the lack of official ''Doctor Who'' content,<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":0" /> and the later production of ''Death Comes to Time'' was done by the BBC in part due to the knowledge there was a large fanbase ready to listen to it.<ref name=":8" /> Due to a lack of ''Doctor Who'' content and a discontent with the content aired following ''Slipback''<nowiki/>'s release, many fan-made audio productions were produced. Many became long running and highly popular; ''Doctor Who Audio Dramas'', for example, has claimed to garner nearly 70,000 downloads a month.<ref name=":1" /> The Audio Visuals, similarly, were founded in response to ''Slipback''<nowiki/>'s release, and garnered a strong response with fans. Up to 600 tapes were produced by the group per adventure, which was high for a non-profit fan project.<ref name=":1" />
Big Finish Productions' audio dramas were similarly well received by fans. ''Bleeding Cool'' author Adi Tantimedh described the audios as being largely for fans and commented that their high quality and ability to draw from a diverse array of source material allowed them be a popular option for fans of the series.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Tantimedh |first=Adi |date=2025-08-30 |title=Doctor Who: Big Finish Has Always Been a Proper Home for Fans |url=https://bleedingcool.com/tv/doctor-who-big-finish-has-always-been-a-proper-home-for-fans/ |access-date=2026-03-07 |website=Bleeding Cool |language=en}}</ref> Big Finish's stories were described by the book ''Adaptation in Contemporary Culture: Textual Infidelities'' as being an influence on the tone of the show's 2005 revival, most notably through the adaptation of ''Jubilee'' into the on-screen episode "Dalek".<ref name=":7" />
==See also== *[[List of Doctor Who: The Classic Series audio plays by Big Finish|List of ''Doctor Who: The Classic Series'' audio plays by Big Finish]] *[[List of Doctor Who: The New Series audio plays by Big Finish|List of ''Doctor Who: The New Series'' audio plays by Big Finish]] *[[List of The Worlds of Doctor Who audio plays by Big Finish|List of ''The Worlds of Doctor Who'' audio plays by Big Finish]]
== References == {{reflist}}
==External links== *[http://www.doctorwho.co.uk Big Finish] *[https://web.archive.org/web/20051108224231/http://www.tertiary.consoleroom.btinternet.co.uk/ Tertiary Console Room] a guide to the audio dramas *[https://www.bbc.co.uk/bbc7/drama/progpages/drwho.shtml ''Doctor Who'' page on BBC 7 drama site]
{{Doctor Who}}
[[Category:Audio plays based on Doctor Who| ]] [[Category:Doctor Who spinoffs|Audio productions]] [[Category:Audiobooks based on Doctor Who]]