397: Optional Extras 16 - The Fourteenth Doctor and The Meep

It's our 400th episode, and we're marking it with Daleks! We welcome the Emperor Dalek himself, Nicholas Briggs, to discuss his 2013 novel The Dalek Generation. And we also talk about raisins too!

Are you missing the FIfteenth Doctor already? Fear not - we're able to help you out, as we discuss the latest original Doctor Who novel from BBC Books, Fear Death By Water. We speak to editor Steve Cole and author Emily Cook, and courtesy of our friends at BBC Audiobooks, bring you a sample of Susan Twist's reading.

When BBC Books launched the PDAs, there was a real system shock for readers of the Virgin New Adventures range. All of the developments and ongoing story arcs were gone, and this was a Seventh Doctor stripped back to his TV origins. The Hollow Men was the second novel to feature this incarnation from BBC Books, and we speak to editor Steve Cole, and co-author Martin Day, about this adventure.

Who was surprised this week with the reveal of the latest in Character Options' action figure range of exclusive Vortex figures? We speak to Al Dewar about the creation of the Meep and the Fourteenth Doctor (without coat!). And Al also reveals the limited edition variant that never was, and a couple of potential Fifteenth Doctor variants for the future!

BBC Three recently broadcast a ninth episode of Doctor Who Confidentially Unleashed Work Experience, celebrating 20 years of Doctor Who being produced in Wales. Dave, Steevie and Kenny give their thoughts on the episode, and also air their thoughts on the proposed new Doctor Who cartoon series for CBeebies. And we want drawings from our listeners about what Dave and Steevie will look like in their future space clothes. Send your pictures to [email protected] and Peter will pass them on!

The Sixth Doctor is back - and he's up against one of his oldest foes. Killing Ground, by Steve Lyons, features the Doctor with his new travelling companion Grant Markham, as they encounter the Cybermen. Steve joins us for a discussion about the book, and how he featured a new monster for the BBC Books range, months before it had been published. Plus, we have two readings, complete with authentic Revenge of the Cybermen-style voices!

Logopolis - the final adventure of the Fourth Doctor - is put under the microscope in the latest release from the Black Archive. We speak to Jonathan Hay about writing this examination of Christopher H Bidmead's first Doctor Who script. Find out more and order a copy from publishers Obverse Books at https://obversebooks.co.uk/product/76-logopolis/

Are you afraid of things that go bump in the night? Those mysterious sounds you hear after midnight? Then get ready to join the Fifth Doctor, Tegan and Nyssa, as they encounter Fear of the Dark. We speak to author Trevor Baxendale about his popular novel.

And that's it - the era of another Doctor is over and done with. Ncuti Gatwa - Doctor no more! John, Steevie and Dave gather to share their thoughts on the Doctor Who season finale, with Wish World and The Reality War. Stand by for joy at the return of Jodie Whittaker, shock at the regeneration, and speculation ahoy as to how they thought the story was originally going to end, and piece together their evidence.

We head into a mini-era of Fourth Doctor PDAs, as we feature the first of four novels written for the range by Chris Boucher. Former range editor Steve Cole joins us as we discuss this novel, featuring the Doctor and Leela. And we could only find ONE quote from the late author, alluding to this book!