In 1996, Daphne Ashbrook starred alongside Paul McGann in the Doctor Who TV Movie. Thirty years later, she’s set to reunite with him in a brand-new box set of full-cast audio drama. 

In the Time War Uncharted series so far, the Eighth Doctor, travelling with his great-grandson Alex (Sonny McGann) and starship pilot Cass (Emma Campbell-Jones), has been exploring a strange new universe, while trying to avoid the escalating conflict between the Time Lords and the Daleks. Through this all, he has had multiple encounters with Hieronyma Friend. 

This shady temporal diplomat takes the form of many of the Doctor’s past companions, though he’s somehow failed to notice this. In the next volume, Branches, the Doctor finally twigs what’s going on, and Daphne Ashbrook is the latest actor to voice the mysterious character. 

Ashbrook said: “It was wonderful to be working with Paul again. The script was beautifully written and it was so much fun to play a villain to his Doctor. It does make me long for the days when I can be his friend – no pun intended! 

“Thirty years it’s been since we shot the Doctor Who movie – I’ve recently watched it for the first time in many years, and I couldn’t believe how young we all were. Paul’s a fabulous actor, and he loves doing these audio dramas. His talent and the scripts Big Finish write for him is a match, and it’s kept his character going. He’s been able to experience much of what other Doctors got to experience on TV – what a gift, and it’s wonderful to be a part of that.” 

Doctor Who – Time War Uncharted: Branches is now available to pre-order for just £24.99 (download to own) or £30.99 (download to own + collector’s edition CD box set), exclusively here. Please note: the collector’s edition CD box set is strictly limited to 1,500 copies and will not be re-pressed. 

The four new episodes starring the excellent Eighth Doctor are: 

The Only Girl in the World by John Dorney 

Searching for Cass, the Doctor and Alex find themselves on board an odd slave spaceship with a version of their friend from the Uncharted universe – the swashbuckling and dangerous Cassie. 

Cassie is seeking revenge for the destruction of her homeworld – believing her destiny is to stop Mr Karl, the ruthless killer who obliterated it. But if that is her destiny, why is it so hard to fulfil? 

False Dawn by Alison Winter 

A galactic quarantine order has the Doctor investigating an invasive species that is rapidly spreading across the uncharted universe and infiltrating multiple dimensions. As the walls between worlds weaken, even the TARDIS struggles with keeping everything on the inside. 

Council of Susan by Tim Foley

Looking for a way through a dangerous Barrier, the Doctor and his friends stumble upon an unusual organisation. The Council of Susan is stationed by a wormhole – and they know all about the mysterious time traveller known as ‘Grandfather’. Are the Doctor and Alex due for a family reunion? Or will a darker presence try its best to sever all family ties? 

All Over by Patrick O’Connor 

Out on the ice lies an empty blue box. Luckily, there’s someone out here who can drag it to safety – that’s what Friends are for, after all. In a rundown house at the edge of the Uncharted, someone will face her destiny. It’s time for myths to be exposed and everything to end. 

The cast of Time War Uncharted: Branches also includes Carole Ann Ford as Susan, the Doctor’s granddaughter, and Nicholas Briggs as the Daleks, as well as Kate Harbour, Akbar Kurtha, Susan Penhaligon, Jane Asher, Amy Rockson, Olivia Woolhouse, and Robert Fitch. 

Doctor Who – Time War Uncharted: Branches is now available to pre-order for just £24.99 (download to own) or £30.99 (download to own + collector’s edition CD box set), exclusively from www.bigfinish.com. 

All the above prices (including pre-order and multibuy bundle discounts) are fixed for a limited time only and guaranteed no later than 31 July 2026. 

Please note that 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.