475: Optional Extras 23 - Series 4 Approvals

The final Black Archive release from Obverse Books is now available - Mawdryn Undead. We speak to writer Kara Dennison about why she chose this often overlooked Fifth Doctor adventure to put under the microscope. You can order a copy here - https://obversebooks.co.uk/product/80-mawdryn-undead/ Plus, we reveal what's coming next year from Obverse as the Black Archive continues in 2026, its tenth year of publishing. Follow Kara on her blog - https://karadennison.blogspot.com/

Given how few full Doctor Who novels there are set at Christmas, we today speak to the writer of a very wintry book. Joining us from across the pond is Lloyd Rose, discussing her Seventh Doctor PDA The Algebra of Ice, which features Ace and the Brigadier. Please excuse the quality of the interview, as the conversation with Lloyd took place using a traditional phone line, which we've tried to clean up as best as we can. Please, we feature a pair of readings from the novel, as usual.

Today marks the final episode of The War Between the Land and the Sea. And to commemorate it, we look at the first performed Sea Devil story! We speak to producer Gary Russell and writer David Bailley about Big Finish adventure Professor Bernice Summerfield and the Poison Seas, and the difficulties of bringing Sea Devils to life on audio.

As we prepare for the final encounter between the Earth Reptiles and humanity in The War Between the Land and the Sea, we're heading back to Big Finish territory. We take a look at the making of Bloodtide, the 22nd Big Finish Doctor Who release, which pitted the Sixth Doctor and Evelyn Smythe against the Silurians - and a Myrka. Joining us to discuss it are writer Jonathan Morris, producer/director Gary Russell, actors Miles Richardson and Helen Goldwyn, plus musician and sound designer Alistair Lock.

We travel back to 2009 today, to talk about the plastic fantastic. We're joined by not just Character Options's Al Dewar but Dave Turbitt, who was at BBC Licensing at the time. They talk us through the creative process for David Tennant's final season as the Doctor.

Today, we met writer Al Ronald, who's recently had three releases from Big Finish. He's written a Paternoster Gang, for the Seventh Doctor and Ace, and also a Comedy Playhouse release. Oh, and he's Scottish...

We're celebrating a Doctor Who Christmas story from Big Finish today, with a Doctor whose TV reign was not as long as it should have been. No, we're not discussing THAT one, we're looking at Blood on Santa's Claw and Other Stories. We're joined by writer Nev Fountain.

If there's one item a Doctor Who fan needs every year, it's the annual! We speak to Paul Lang, the writer and designer of the Official Doctor Who Annual, about this year's publication. And he teases what's coming next year too!

We make a rare trip into Paul McGann territory today, for a look at the BBC Eighth Doctor Adventure Vanderdeken's Children. Christopher Bulis returns for another appearance as he shares his memories of writing this novel. Chris previously spoke to Kenny on Pieces of Eighth about this book, but this is an all-new interview with him, plus we also hear from editor Steve Cole and cover artist Colin Howard.

Our 12 Krynoid Pods of Christmas has begun! We're counting down to December 25 with a podcast each day - some short, some long, to help pass the time before Santa arrives. Today, Al Dewar from Character joins us to discuss the latest release - the Wrarth Warriors, from The Star Beast.