Doon Mackichan’s Big Finish debut

In today’s brand-new Doctor Who audio episode, the Ninth Doctor (Christopher Eccleston) takes Rose Tyler (Billie Piper) into deep space, where they find the long-lost mapping ship the Vesterbold. Its crew are all gone, except for one… 

The mysterious Dr Vivian Rest is voiced by Doon Mackichan, the BAFTA-winning actress known for TV shows including Smack the Pony, Good Omens, and Toast of London, as well as The Sarah Jane Adventures: The Nightmare Man. Here, she makes her Big Finish debut, and reunites with Christopher Eccleston, who she starred alongside in the 1999 film With or Without You. 

Mackichan said: “It was fantastic working with Chris, and I love working in the audio medium. This story’s definitely got a claustrophobic feel, where everyone’s trapped and can’t get off, and the dark forces are at play.” 

The time travellers also encounter the Knights of Atlas, a spacefaring gang of warriors who have their own sights set on the Vesterbold. Ben Arogundade plays the knights’ leader Sir Cal, Sam Stafford is his squire Mervyn, and David Shaw-Parker voices the wise man Holbrook. 

Doctor Who – The Ninth Doctor Adventures: Dark Tides is now available to purchase for just £9.99 (download to own) or £11.99 (download to own + collector’s edition CD), exclusively here. Please note: the collector’s edition CD is strictly limited to 1,500 copies and will not be re-pressed. 

A long-lost ship, the Vesterbold, has returned to normal space. And the Knights of Atlas seek her treasure. But two strangers have joined their expedition – the Doctor and Rose, who warn of danger. 

For the Vesterbold has drifted free of the Dark Tides at the edge of the universe. And she may have brought something back with her. Not even the bravest knights are ready for the evil which lies inside... 

Billie Piper added: “This feels like very familiar Doctor Who 2005 territory to me. It reminded me of episodes like The Girl in the Fireplace, with the clockwork men. I absolutely love the character of Vivian – it’s really fun to have a sassy female character, she reminds me of Cassandra from The End of the World.” 

Praise for the previous Ninth Doctor Adventures release, Thirteen O’Clock: 

“Deliciously creepy, building up the tension wonderfully, indulging in all the best horror tropes, and landing some excellent kills. 5/5”
Who Review 

“If we keep getting writing of this calibre … this series will keep marching forward, entertaining and enthralling us in equal measure.”
Big Blue Box Podcast 

“The story draws considerable suspense from the sense that it’s building to something huge. 4/5”
SFX 

“Nothing short of dazzling”
Doctor Who Magazine 

Dark Tides is the seventh of twelve new audio adventures for the Ninth Doctor and Rose. A complete series multibuy bundle of all twelve releases is also available to pre-order at the specially discounted price of £102 (download to own), exclusively from the Big Finish website. 

Additional three-release multibuy bundles are available from just £27 (download to own) and £33 (download to own + collector’s edition CD). 

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