Doctor Who: The Ninth Doctor Adventures

The Ninth Doctor Adventures, announced in August 2020, is a Big Finish Productions audio play series based on the television series Doctor Who. It sees the return of Christopher Eccleston reprising his role as the Ninth Doctor and will span four boxsets comprising an entire audio season that was released between May 2021 and February 2022. A second audio season of four more boxsets followed in 2022 and 2023. A third audio season of four followed in 2023 and 2024.

History

The Ninth Doctor, as portrayed by actor Christopher Eccleston, first appeared in 2005 for the relaunch of Doctor Who. Eccleston is notable for portraying The Doctor for one series before departing. Since, Eccleston had vowed never to return to the science fiction series, even declining to portray the character in the fiftieth anniversary special "The Day of the Doctor" due to his feelings that the story "didn't do the character any justice" and felt the BBC still owed him an apology.
In 2018 the actor stated about his exit, “What happened around Doctor Who almost destroyed my career... I gave them a hit show and I left with dignity and then they put me on a blacklist. I was carrying my own insecurities as it was something I had never done before and then I was abandoned, vilified in the tabloid press and blacklisted.”
As of August 2020, Eccleston, having felt healed from meeting fans at conventions and their feelings towards his portrayal of The Doctor, ultimately agreed to participate with Big Finish after discussions with Big Finish co-chairman, Jason Haigh-Ellery. Eccleston, in response to his return, stated “After 15 years, it will be exciting to revisit the Ninth Doctor’s world, bringing back to life a character I love playing.”
A second season was announced on 13 September 2021. Subsequently, a third season was announced on 9 March 2023, while a fourth series featuring his series one companion Rose Tyler was announced in 2025.

Production

Nicholas Briggs revealed that he would direct some episodes of the series and that other directors would also be involved. He also revealed he has written a story but was not sure if the BBC would accept it. Christopher Eccleston posted a picture on Instagram showing him holding the script, which revealed title of the first episode, Sphere of Freedom, and writer Nicholas Briggs.