Tommy Knight returns as Luke Smith in audio spinoff
Rani Chandra’s back, and so are Clyde Langer and Luke Smith, in three brand-new full-cast audio adventures in the Rani Takes on the World series, released today by Big Finish Productions.
A little earlier than originally advertised, Anjli Mohindra, Daniel Anthony and Tommy Knight are back as the Bannerman Road team they played on TV in The Sarah Jane Adventures. But things are not the same as they were.
“Last night I dreamed I went to Bannerman Road again. I walked up the driveway, unchained the door, and climbed the stairs to the attic. To find her there, standing alone in the darkness. Looking just as she had done all those years ago.”
Rani Chandra (Anjli Mohindra), Clyde Langer (Daniel Anthony) and Luke Smith (Tommy Knight) are reunited. Rani Takes on the World: The Revenge of Wormwood contains three brand-new audio adventures continuing the story of the characters first seen on television in The Sarah Jane Adventures.
Returning to the character of Luke Smith for the first time since 2020’s digital short, Farewell Sarah Jane, actor Tommy Knight said: “It was so exciting to hear that more stories and adventures were coming out of Bannerman Road. It made me so excited to get back into the booth, bring a little bit of Luke back out of me. It was a big part of my life growing up and I don’t think I’ll ever really forget how amazing that whole experience was.”
(Tommy Knight had already made a sneaky appearance at the end of the video promo for volume one, but now he is returning for a whole new adventure in The Revenge of Wormwood.)
In The Revenge of Wormwood, Samantha Bond (best-known for her iconic roles in Pierce Brosnan’s James Bond films and Downton Abbey) returns as Mrs. Wormwood – leader of malevolent aliens, the Bane.
The Worlds of Doctor Who – Rani Takes on the World: The Revenge of Wormwood is now available from www.bigfinish.com.
The three audio adventures in the box set are:
“Time Schisms!” by Lizbeth Myles
Podcast fan Anna thinks there’s a time traveler working in her local post office. So, who else should she ask to investigate other than Rani Chandra? Unconvinced at first, Rani is shocked when an old friend warns her off. If UNIT don’t want her looking into it, there must be something to the phenomena… But will Rani’s quest for the truth drive a wedge between her and Luke?
“The Star-Crossed Diversion” by Alison Winter
After falling asleep on the night tube, Rani and Clyde wake in a nightmare – a future in which the Bane have succeeded in taking over the Earth. Humans are docile cattle, the planet’s resources sold to the highest bidder. Bane Uncle Crispin believes all opposition has been crushed, but the new arrivals are ready to fight. Are they the last hope of resistance? And how can Rani and Clyde ever return home?
“The Ghost of Bannerman Road” by Jonathan Morris
13 Bannerman Road. The place where it all began, where Rani, Clyde and Luke fought alien menaces with Sarah Jane. Now it’s locked up, derelict and under the watch of UNIT, because top scientists are mysteriously disappearing, and items of alien technology are being stolen from laboratories. An old friend is planning to make her return… and Rani and Clyde have to face their own ghosts.
Producer Emily Cook said: “I was chuffed with the reaction to the first Rani set. I was so excited for it to be released because it was an entirely new range, and I hoped it would strike a chord with fans, especially fans (like myself) who grew up watching The Sarah Jane Adventures as children. I received so many lovely messages after its release. I’m thrilled that people found it so moving and engaging.”
Russell T Davies, creator of The Sarah Jane Adventures, said: “I can’t actually remember how the audio series came about, if it was Big Finish who came to me with it or if it was the producer Emily Cook. I think it was Emily!
“Anyway, we got in touch with Anjli, Daniel and Tommy who all agreed to take part. It’s fantastic that Anjli can do this because she’s such a leading actor these days. I’m delighted for her. I’ve been following her and always congratulate her. Her continued success is just one of the great pleasures in my life.
“There were many stories being bandied about for this new box set so I had a Zoom with the writers and gave them a lot of suggestions as to how things should go. I’ve always loved the relationship between Daniel and Anjli as Clive and Rani. I had a lot to tell the writers and it was a fun session. I actually thought, ‘I should do calls like this more often,’ as they are a really nice bunch!
“And then, I left them to it. And I’ve got to say, I’m delighted by the end result.”
