Christopher Eccleston shares first image as he steps back into Doctor Who role at Big Finish

We’ve known since August (here) that Christopher Eccleston was set to return to the iconic role of The Doctor in Big Finish’s Doctor Who audio adventures and now we have our first look at the actor as he’s apparently started recording!

On top of this, if you look closely at the image you’ll be able to gleam some information from the cover page of his script: The first episode is called Sphere of Freedom and it’s written by Nicholas Briggs. It features a skilled chef from the Sphere of Freedom, enlisted by the Doctor to stop a dastardly plan. Oh, and the first volume appears to be called Ravagers.

Its also been speculated that the adventures will feature the Doctor travelling alone without Rose… so when this takes place in his tale is up for guessing, but I’d tend to believe it might be before he even meets Rose, so somewhere between the 60th-anniversary episode, The Day of the Doctor and Eccleston’s first episode, Rose.

When or wherever it takes place, I’ll be there – in fact, I have my vinyl release of the first episode ordered since August and will be picking the rest up as they come out.

Anyway, here’s the man himself getting ready to step back into the TARDIS:

He’s back! https://t.co/I4XiXBpcrL pic.twitter.com/YMIHwRMS6Y

— Big Finish 🎄 (@bigfinish) December 14, 2020

Big Finish Productions, in association with BBC Studios, today announces the long-awaited return of Christopher Eccleston to the popular role he originated on television.

First seen on screen in 2005, Christopher Eccleston’s Ninth Doctor introduced a whole new generation of sci-fi fans to the TARDIS, Time Lords and sonic screwdriver.

Now he’s back in a brand-new series of twelve fantastic full-cast audio adventures in time and space, due to be released across four box sets, starting with volume one in May 2021.

Christopher Eccleston said: “After 15 years it will be exciting to revisit the Ninth Doctor’s world, bringing back to life a character I love playing.”

Story details, writers and additional guest cast are being kept under wraps at present but this Doctor Who audio series promises to be, once again, the trip of a lifetime.

Doctor Who fans worldwide can now pre-order all four volumes, which are available in three formats – collector’s edition CD, digital download or limited edition gatefold triple LP vinyl. Shop the range HERE!

Big Finish’s Chairman, Jason Haigh-Ellery said: “I first talked to Christopher about returning to the role of the Doctor at the Gallifrey One convention in February this year. Christopher said he was enjoying meeting the fans and was pleased that his Doctor was remembered so fondly.  He indicated he would be open to discussing a project with Big Finish.

“And then the pandemic happened and time moved both quickly and very slowly. Over recent months, ideas have been exchanged and discussions had. I am so pleased that Christopher has decided to return to the role with us – and I’m excited to welcome him to the Big Finish family as we discover the new adventures of the Ninth Doctor.”

Big Finish’s Creative Director, Nicholas Briggs, added: “Working with Chris was a very special time for me. The beginning of my Doctor Who TV career. So, writing for and directing him feels incredibly exciting. He’s such a powerful performer and it’ll be amazing to work with him again.”

Each of the four volumes in Doctor Who: The Ninth Doctor Adventures will be released as a 4-disc collector’s edition box set or download containing three brand-new full cast audio adventures, plus a selection of behind-the-scenes extras.