Born to Die has been written by Tiegan Byrne, a name which maybe familiar to Big Finish listeners from her acting credits in Rani Takes on the World or as Runa in the most recent pair of The War Doctor Begins box sets. This adventure marks Tiegan’s Big Finish writing debut after being recruited by script editor John Dorney.

Tiegan explained: “John simply said to me, ‘The story needs to be the Doctor, his companion, a Sontaran and a Rutan on a planet…. Whatever happens is up to you.’ And that was it. It was completely open for me to play with and explore.

“It was definitely a challenge. There were a lot of Doctor Who ‘laws’ and previous storylines which I honestly had little idea about. And I really knew nothing about the Rutans! However, it was the perfect excuse to rewatch lots of classic episodes and listen to Big Finish box sets!

“I loved the freedom and creativity involved writing Born To Die and even more so, finding ways for the story to work alongside the other episodes in the series. John and the other writers were so supportive and helpful, it was an absolute joy.”

Colin Baker said: “I rather like the Sontarans, because they’re single-minded. They don’t detest or destroy everything, they just want to win! I’ve encountered them before, but I’ve never been involved in the whole Rutan internecine squabble, which is refreshing. “It’s also been rather lovely to work with India again, because my relationship with her character is a continuing mystery to me and to the Sixth Doctor.”

India Fisher added: “Charley’s back with the Sixth Doctor, which is really lovely! Colin and I were trying to work out how long it’s been, and he thinks it’s been five or six years, which is scary. But I was really pleased to see the Sixth Doctor and Charley come back, and with the Sontarans again.

“I’d already recorded The Battle of Giant's Causeway with Paul, the Eighth Doctor, so Charley is back to her usual lying through her teeth to the Sixth Doctor, pretending that she doesn’t know who the Sontarans are, which is fun.”

Jon Culshaw said: “Sontarans are one of my favourite enemies of the Doctors. I’ll never forget the first time I saw Linx in the final moments of part one of The Time Warrior. The way Kevin Lindsay played Linx – and later Field Major Styre – what a wonderful Sontaran he made, and I drew on his performance as much as I could.

“To play opposite Dan Starkey and Chris Ryan as well, the beloved Sontarans of this era, was such a thrill. I was quite giddy about that.”

Christopher Ryan, Jon Culshaw, Dan Starkey, India Fisher