Big Finish Productions marks 50 years of the Sontarans with an epic four-part audio drama series, Sontarans vs Rutans, which begins today at The Battle of Giant’s Causeway.
There are ragged rocks, reunions and Rutans in a brand-new full-cast audio drama for the Eighth Doctor (Paul McGann), Charley (India Fisher) and C’Rizz (Conrad Westmaas), released today.
Doctor Who – Sontarans vs Rutans: The Battle of Giant’s Causeway, written by Lizzie Hopley, is now available to own for just £10.99 (collector’s edition CD + download) or £8.99 (download only), exclusively from www.bigfinish.com.
A temporal tidal wave leads the Doctor, Charley and C’rizz to the Giant’s Causeway, Ireland 55BC, where the TARDIS drains of power and they encounter Sontarans who believe they’re Roman Legionnaires. What has caused this and what is the strange secret in the rocks?
Producer David Richardson said: “I realised the 50th anniversary of “The Time Warrior” was approaching and that we were long overdue a big, epic foray into the Sontaran/Rutan war.
“Writer Lizzie Hopley sets up the saga with an alien clash set back in history… As well as bringing Sontarans and Rutans to Earth it is, of course, notable for the reunion of that lead cast…
“When you’ve got that much instant and easy chemistry it just makes everyone’s job very straightforward. There was a lot of laughter and love.”
Actor Conrad Westmaas, returning to play chameleon-like alien companion C’rizz two decades on from his debut, said: “This isn’t something any of us saw coming but – 20 years after they were first thrown together – the Eighth Doctor, Charley and C’rizz are back for their most explosive, action-packed adventure yet!
“Lizzie really ‘gets’ this trio, and from the word go the three are caught up in a Sontaran vs. Rutan crossfire at a very bloody and mystical point in Earth history.”
And writer Lizzie Hopley added: “I must boast that this was partly my idea. I’ve written for the Eighth Doctor and Charley before and when it came to this story, I just felt someone was missing – a very important someone.“The Rutan character was new for me to explore. That’s why C’rizz was so important to this story. They’re shapeshifters and he can identify with that. What’s it like to empathise with a Rutan? Yikes!
“Conrad is an actor capable of such complexity, he has this unique blend of naivety and darkness whilst understanding humour. He is a gift to write for.”
Joining the regular cast in this exciting adventure are stellar guest actors Michelle Fox (Three Little Birds), Amanda Hurwitz (Derry Girls), and John Banks (Emmerdale).
Doctor Who – Sontarans vs Rutans will be released in monthly parts between January and April 2024, with a story which weaves through the lives of the Third, Sixth, Eighth and War Doctors.
The series cast also includes Tim Treloar (the Third Doctor), Colin Baker (the Sixth Doctor) and Jonathon Carley (the War Doctor), with Dan Starkey playing a variety of Sontarans.
The complete Doctor Who – Sontarans vs Rutans series bundle is available to pre-order for £40 (collector’s edition CD + download) or £32 (download only), from www.bigfinish.com. All the above prices include the special pre-order discount and are subject to change after general release.
