After first unleashing chaos in the 2007 Doctor Who TV story Utopia, broadcast exactly 15 years ago today, the War Master (Sir Derek Jacobi) is back once again and his heinous crimes are finally about to catch up with him. 

In this brand-new box set of full-cast audio dramas, the villainous Time Lord faces certain death in a mysterious forest, travels with his former companion Cole Jarnish (Jonny Green), and forms an uneasy alliance with a stranger named Fenice (Jo Joyner).  

Then, in the box set’s time-twisting finale, the War Master drags the Tenth Doctor (David Tennant) back into the Time War — what terrible fate could possibly force them together?  

The War Master: Self-Defence is now available to own as a collector’s edition 4-disc CD box set (+ download for just £24.99) and as a digital download (for just £19.99), exclusively here. 

The accomplished guest cast also includes  Big Finish newcomers Phil Dunster (Ted Lasso, Humans), Robyn Addison (Doc Martin, Survivors), Adetomiwa Edun (Young Wallander, Cinderella), and comedian Josh Berry, plus Sara Powell (Ghosts, Doctor Who) and Ariyon Bakare (His Dark Materials, Doctor Who)

When the Master finds himself trapped in the Forest of Penitence, it kicks off a chain of events that will force him to revisit his past misdeeds.  

From colony worlds ruled through fear to pastoral planets fleeing the Time War, the Master has spread his influence far and wide. His terrible reputation precedes him across the universe… and now he must be made to pay the price. 

The Master’s only hope of salvation lies with the Doctor. But this Doctor already knows his enemy’s fate. 

The four exciting adventures in this box set are as follows:  

The Forest of Penitence by Lou Morgan 

Waking in an unusual forest with no memory of how he arrived there, the Master has little choice but to seek help from other survivors. But what is it they’ve all survived? 

The Players by Una McCormack 

On the planet Trabus, the Master discovers a society where nobody is innocent and the only true crime is to be a less successful villain than those around you. 

Boundaries by Lizbeth Myles 

As his companion Cole attempts to save a world, the Master discovers an extraterrestrial entity that threatens to spread across the globe. 

The Last Line by Lizzie Hopley

At the mercy of an ancient and powerful race, the Master calls upon his oldest friend in his hour of need. The problem is he doesn’t recognise this incarnation of the Doctor… while the Doctor knows this Master all too well. 

Sir Derek Jacobi said: “It’s lovely to be reunited with David Tennant. Having been brought up on Doctor Who as a child — it was thrilling to actually be a part of it in Utopia. 

“It’s a joy to play the Master because he is very layered. He’s not just this evil creature. He has many emotions which he indulges. 

“And it’s nice to see the Master on the defensive and not being quite so sure of himself. He’s having a bad time and getting hurt himself – rather than hurting others. I thought that was very interesting. I’ve enjoyed every minute of it.” 

The War Master: Self-Defence is now available to own for just £24.99 (collector’s edition CD box set + download) or £19.99 (download only) from the Big Finish website.  

Big Finish listeners can save money by ordering The War Master: Self-Defence and the second 2022 War Master release (title TBC) together in a bundle for just £48 (collector’s edition CD box set + download) or £39 (download only). 

All the above prices include the special pre-order discount and are subject to change after general release. 

Big Finish is currently operating a digital-first release schedule. The mail-out of collector’s edition CDs may be delayed due to factors beyond our control, but all purchases of this release unlock a digital copy that can be immediately downloaded or played on the Big Finish app from the release date.