Radio Free Skaro #1041 - Staircase to Heaven

Happy Doctor Who Day, everyone! The Three Who Rule celebrate the 62nd birthday for our favourite television show as only Doctor Who fans can, by morosely speculating on the show's increasingly grim prospects in light of an ever-changing media landscape. Fun! Plus we look into Rachel Talalay's and Dalek 63-88's latest lovely Youtube videos, the newly released schedule for Surf and Turf, audio fun with The Wheel in Space on vinyl and various Big Finish bits and bobs, and Day Three of our Torchwood: Children of Earth retrospecticus! Links: Support Radio Free Skaro on Patreon Interview with BritBox CEO, signals BritBox not interested in co-producing Doctor Who (paywall) New Bad Wolf private holdings company created for 2026 Doctor Who special Deadline: Traditional U.S. Networks Swoop For British TV As Content Sales Top $1B The TARDIS lands at Stonehenge for Doctor Who Day Tom Baker reflects on time in TARDIS after receiving MBE Rachel Talalay: My trips on 4 TARDISES. Q&A and more. Part 1 Dalek 63-88: The Forgotten 60s Dalek: Uncovering Dr. Barnardo's Hidden Dalek Story Missing classic adventure 'The Wheel in Space' comes to vinyl on February 16 Big Finish: Doctor Who – The Eighth Doctor Adventures: Causeway out now Big Finish: Doctor Who: Anniversary – A 2005-2025 Doctors Collection released Review: Torchwood: Children of Earth, Day Three Children of Earth scripts on BBC Writer's Room Radio Free Skaro Wednesday Cutaway – The Ballad of Jack and Ianto Radio Free Skaro presents Bridging the Rift

The War Between the Land and the Sea is premiering Sunday, December 7! While that throws a wrench in our usually stable release plans, we're certain we can all cope through the first three weeks of December. In other news, the Three Who Rule calm the waters on missing episode rumblings, a follow-up on Tubi disintegrating Classic Doctor Who from its listings, Gallifrey One news, more staircase intrigues, and the Pondcast, a new podcast featuring none other than Karen Gillan and Arthur Darvill reminiscing about their time on Doctor Who! But the real highlight is a descent into 2009 with the second part of our re-examination of Torchwood: Children of Earth! Links: Support Radio Free Skaro on Patreon Broadcast dates revealed for 'The War Between the Land and the Sea' Special re-edited edition of The Sea Devils heads to BBC iPlayer and BBC Four on 7th December Gallifrey One discussion panels now open for sign-up; Paul McGann no longer attending Matthew Waterhouse added to Gallifrey One guest list Doctor Who Prop Hunt post on the staircase prop Tiny Time Lord Trouble Children in Need sketch Neil Cross, Toby Whithouse Doctor Who scripts added to BBC Writers Room site Coming soon: The Pondcast with Karen Gillan and Arthur Darvill Doctor Who legend Tom Baker, 91, dons iconic Fourth Doctor costume as he receives MBE in style Big Finish: Miles Taylor IS The Eleventh Doctor Big Finish: The Thirteenth Doctor Adventures: Lionesses in Winter out now Big Finish: The Thirteenth Doctor Adventures: Ride or Die due Jan 2026 Where We Stand, Where We Fall: The politics of Doctor Who by Liz Myles available for pre-order First look at Doctor Who star Sophie Aldred in Adrian Tchaikovsky's graphic novel Salvation's Child Review: Torchwood: Children of Earth, Day Two Children of Earth scripts on BBC Writer's Room Radio Free Skaro Wednesday Cutaway – The Ballad of Jack and Ianto Radio Free Skaro presents Bridging the Rift

The Three Who Rule take on the big questions this week, including whether or not to call the Sea Devils "Homo Aqua," possible BBC broadcast plans for The War Between the Land and the Sea, the existence of 4K 35mm transfers of telecined old TV shows, and most importantly the spreading media virus known as the Spiral Staircase, which has driven Steven further around the bend than usual! Plus Tubi intrigue regarding the status of Classic Doctor Who, Doctor Who Magazine issuing massive pieces about Carole Ann Ford and Terry Nation, and most importantly, the first of our five-part re-evaluation of Torchwood: Children of Earth!  Links: Support Radio Free Skaro on Patreon Mark Strickson announced as guest for Gallifrey One Creatures in TWBTLATS to be known as "Homo Aqua" UNIT quiz site reveals seven minutes of deleted scenes from Season 2 Doctor Who Magazine #623 Doctor Who Magazine Special Edition Doctor Who: Legends released Classic Doctor Who leaving US Tubi soon? Big Finish: Doctor Who: Anniversary – A 2005-2025 Doctors Collection available November 2025 Pauline Collins 1940-2025 Review: Torchwood: Children of Earth – Day One Children of Earth scripts on BBC Writer's Room Radio Free Skaro Wednesday Cutaway – The Ballad of Jack and Ianto Radio Free Skaro presents Bridging the Rift

The moment has arrived! That is, an actual announcement of Doctor Who's future from the BBC (and not the outgoing Disney+) in the form of a last hurrah from Russell T Davies and Bad Wolf by way of a Christmas special in 2026, along with official confirmation of Turf and Surf hitting the iPlayer this Christmas and Disney+ in February. What does this portend for both the present and future of Doctor Who? The Three Who Rule put on their television detective hats and as usual solve nothing, as do many entertainment journalists including friend of the show Kyle Anderson, and lesser lights such as Variety, Deadline, and The Hollywood Reporter. Plus the usual Big Finish cover over-analysis, a smidgen of Can*Con, and the conclusion of our four-part Classic Series Commentary for "The Sun Makers"! Links: Support Radio Free Skaro on Patreon BBC Confirms future of Doctor Who, splitting from Disney, and a new Christmas special in 2026 The War Between the Land and the Sea' comes to BBC One and BBC iPlayer in December, Disney+ in 2026 Deadline: Why Disney Ditched 'Doctor Who' Nerdist: Kyle Anderson's take on the separation of Disney and the BBC Variety: 'Doctor Who': Disney+ Exits Partnership With the BBC as 2026 Christmas Special Confirmed Deadline: Disney+ Officially Exiting 'Doctor Who' Partnership With BBC After Two Seasons Hollywood Reporter: Disney+ Ends 'Doctor Who' Partnership, BBC Commits to Continue Series Entertainment Weekly: Disney+ drops Doctor Who — here's what that means for the long-running show's future The Secrets Behind the SCARIEST Moments of Doctor Who – The Whoniverse Show Big Finish Paul Spragg Memorial Short Trips Opportunity 2025 winner announced Big Finish Doctor Who: Halloween – Sea Smoke and Other Stories released When the Stars Screamed: A Dalek Anthology Charity Book available As King of Kensington turns 50, it shows the challenge of keeping classic Canadian TV in circulation Nabil Shaban obituary by Toby Hadoke Commentary: The Sun Makers Part Four

After a week of not-news coverage where Chris and Warren wandered the Earth and comedian, Who historian and legend Toby Hadoke ably guested, the Three Who Rule are reunited and tackle a shedload of news, including a scoop about The War Between the Land and the Sea airing at different times on the BBC and Disney+, Carole Ann Ford letting loose on the unused Season 2 finale of one Doctor Who, Jane Tranter explaining how TV works in 2025 (not so well!), tons of Big Finish, and most importantly, Part the Third of our Classic Series Commentary for The Sun Makers!  Links: Support Radio Free Skaro on Patreon SCOOP: BBC to air The War Between The Land and The Sea in December; Disney+ in February Carole Ann Ford describes unused Doctor Who finale scene Broadcast Now profile on Jane Tranter and Bad Wolf Jane Tranter addresses Doctor Who future (from Broadcast Now profile) BFI Screening of Blake's 7 Series 2 episodes on November 8, now sold out Character Options Doctor Who The Master and TARDIS Vortex Edition Figure Set Big Finish: The Worlds of Doctor Who – The War Master: His Greatest Trick out now Big Finish: The Third Doctor Adventures: Operation: Vengeance out now Big Finish: The Third Doctor Adventures: The Imposters due February 2026 Big Finish: The Fourth Doctor Adventures: The Ministry of Death due March 2026 Big Finish: The New Adventures of Bernice Summerfield: The Dalek Eternity 2 out now Big Finish: Star Cops: Conflict starts January 2026 BBC Archive: 1964: From Script to Screen – Making a Television Drama Nabil Shaban 1953-2025 Commentary: The Sun Makers Part Three

With the Three Who Rule down to one as both Warren and Chris are gallivanting in parts known and unknown this weekend, and with both the Doctor Who Season 13 Collection and the Blake's 7 Series 2 Collection releases imminent, this week Steven turns the entire episode to a chat with friend of the show Toby Hadoke! Toby recounts working on several extras included across both Blu-ray sets, and also the recent positive hubbub regarding missing Doctor Who episodes generates some excited chatter. Links: Support Radio Free Skaro on Patreon Doctor Who Collection: Season 13 Blake's 7: The Collection – Season 2 Toby Hadoke's Happy Times and Places

The potential imminent return of some missing Doctor Who episodes is top of mind this week, thanks to an interview with John Franklin, Sue Malden, and Professor Justin Smith from Film is Fabulous! on Tim Burrows' excellent Missing Episodes Podcast. The Three Who Rule preview the episode and talk of the "several missing episodes" that are in collections right now, as well as telling you how you can help the Film is Fabulous! project. Also, the Series 10 soundtrack is coming, Pete McTighe will be at Gallifrey One, and it's Part Two of our Classic Series Commentary for "The Sun Makers"! Links: Support Radio Free Skaro on Patreon Missing Episodes Podcast interview with John Franklin of Film is Fabulous! Film is Fabulous now a charitable trust, able to accept donations Film is Fabulous mentions many missing Doctor Who episodes are in hands of collectors Pete McTighe announced as guest at Gallifrey One Season 10 soundtrack announced by the BBC, release date not given Prince William tours TARDIS set at Bad Wolf Studios in mid-September Doctor Who Magazine #622 released Diamond Comics restructuring likely to affect Doctor Who Magazine North American distribution The Graham Williams Years – The DNA of Doctor Who kickstarter, funded within a day Rob Shearman interview with Big Finish about Jubilee & Chimes of Midnight novelizations Big Finish Torchwood series to end in 2026; one last episode, Legacy, to be released later Big Finish The Seventh Doctor Adventures: Wicked! released Big Finish: The First Doctor Adventures: Beware the City of Illusions, due Mar 2026 'Red Dwarf' Coming To Channel 4 In Landmark UKTV Deal Sacha Dhawan and Anjli Mohindra married in lavish wedding in Tuscany John Woodvine died, aged 96 Commentary: The Sun Makers Part Two

Wild speculation abounds as rumours of the BBC and Bad Wolf "it's not you, it's me" -ing each other surface given the somewhat mid (as the kids say) reception to the latest iteration of Doctor Who, The Three Who Rule have theories a-plenty as to the show's next steps, anchored by nothing but their half-formed notions of media literacy (and some inside knowledge). Besides that, we have more exciting Big Finish previews, a Verity! mention on UK game show "The Chase" and the first part of our Class Series Commentary for seminal 1970s serial "The Sun Makers!" Links: Support Radio Free Skaro on Patreon Film is Fabulous now able to accept donations as a charitable trust Film is Fabulous on Doctor Who missing episodes Verity! appears as a clue to a question on The Chase BBC seeks to exit agreement with Bad Wolf? Legendary Location Hunting with Tia Kofi – The Whoniverse Show The Missing Episodes Podcast returns after a long hiatus The Peter Purves podcast debuted Big Finish: Doctor Who – The Ninth Doctor Adventures: The Last Days of the Powell Estate out now Big Finish: Doctor Who – The Ninth Doctor Adventures: Dare You due Dec 2025 Big Finish: Doctor Who – The First Doctor Unbound: Return to Marinus due Jan 2026 Titan Comics: Doctor Who: The Prison Paradox, issue 1 due Nov 5 Titan Comics: Doctor Who: The Prison Paradox, issue 2 available for pre-order Commentary: The Sun Makers

In a show of mercy by the wayward forces of the universe, the news list is short and sweet this week as we delve into new Gallifrey One guests, Ncuti Gatwa's Scottish BAFTA nomination, our usual forensic examination of Big Finish covers, and our feature, an interview with Doctor Who writer Beth Axford about her latest work, the Official Doctor Who Quiz Book and well as her upcoming work of fiction, Doctor Who: Firefall! Extra special Canadian content contained therein!  Links: Support Radio Free Skaro on Patreon Sarah Sutton, Alexander Devrient announced for Gallifrey One 2026 Ncuti Gatwa nominated for BAFTA Scotland Audience Award for Doctor Who Big Finish Call Me Master: Monsters released Big Finish Bernice Summerfield: The Dalek Eternity 1 released Big Finish The Worlds of Doctor Who – Space Security Service: Bret Vyon Lives! due Jan 2026 Big Finish Companion Chronicles: The Legacy of Time due Feb 2026 Interview: Beth Axford The Official Doctor Who Quiz Book Doctor Who: Firefall

It's an soundtastic week for Doctor Who with not only a bumper crop of Big Finish announcement but also BBC audiobook excitement, comic book to audio adaptations, plus some expensive dollies, comic books in digital form and (back to audio) an interview with Michael Stevens, the senior content producer at BBC Audiobooks! It's almost too much aural content to handle! So handle it!  Links: Support Radio Free Skaro on Patreon Doctor Who Season 13 Collection UK release date: October 20 Tom Baker video from BFI Terror of the Zygons event BBC Three repeating Doctor Who on Saturdays from Sep 27, starting with Matt Smith's run Fifteenth Doctor Sixth Scale Statue Meep 6″ Titan Vinyl preorder Doctor Who: The Vampire Plants & Other Stories: Doctor Who Audio Annual Audio CD – Unabridged due Dec 4 Doctor Who The Mind Trap: 2nd Doctor Audio Original Audio CD by John Peel – Unabridged due Jan 1 Doctor Who: Star Flight: 1st Doctor Audio Original Audio CD by Paul Hayes – Unabridged due Mar 5 Big Finish The Lost Stories: Alixion released Big Finish: Dark Gallifrey: Master! Part Three released Big Finish: Doctor Who: Empty Vessels due December Big Finish The Second Doctor Adventures: The Potential Daleks due Dec 2025 Big Finish Doctor Who: Christmas – It's a Wonderful War and Other Stories coming for Christmas Doctor Who Titan Comics collection coming to Neon Ichiban RTD to receive Outstanding Contribution to Television at the Welshies Oct 5 10 Years of Bad Wolf event at Wolf Studios on October 16, tickets sold out Chris Chibnall: In Conversation Oct 2 in Salisbury 'Into the Whoniverse' Panel Series at the Comic-Con Museum Oct 18 Interview: Michael Stevens – Senior Content Producer at BBC Audiobooks