File:Meet the new First Doctor Adventures team

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Climb aboard the TARDIS and meet the team behind the new First Doctor Adventures at Big Finish Productions.

As previously announced, Stephen Noonan today makes his debut as the Doctor in two exciting stories, The Outlaws (a four-part adventure) and The Miniaturist (a two-part adventure), with Lauren Cornelius as plucky companion Dodo Chaplet.

Producer Mark Wright said: “We’ve been working away behind the scenes for months, and I’m thrilled to finally reveal our brilliant new First Doctor, Stephen Noonan. His preparation for playing the Doctor has been immersive and awe-inspiring. Stephen’s performance is uncanny, going to great lengths to honour the memory of William Hartnell while bringing his own interpretation.” Director Nicholas Briggs added: “This is the beginning of a new era for the First Doctor with Big Finish. Stephen’s performance is, in my view, breath-taking and beautiful, authentic yet somehow brand-new, delivering deliciously Hartnell-esque belligerence, humour and charm in this box set, and offering up all sorts of exciting prospects for future adventures. It’s not simply an impersonation, it’s a full and rounded, detailed performance that I can’t wait for listeners to be thrilled by. “Stephen Noonan has done some staggeringly detailed work to recapture the authenticity and spirit of the original Doctor, William Hartnell, whose success in the role is one of the main reasons the show is still with us today.” Stephen Noonan said: “When Nicholas Briggs emailed to calmly offer me the role after I had auditioned, my initial reaction was one of extreme trepidation, considering it to be something of a sacred undertaking. “I’m excited and daunted in equal measure to be following in the footsteps of William Hartnell. I hope we’ve done the great man justice and that you enjoy the new adventures to come.”

Lauren Cornelius agreed: “Recording on The Outlaws has been so much fun. Although there are dramatic and sad moments, the writer has so cleverly infused a lot of humour into it.

“We get to see Dodo’s cheeky side a lot more and how brazen she is. She gets herself into a bit of trouble and has to wriggle herself out of some tricky situations.

“It’s daunting taking on the role of a companion, and obviously for Stephen [taking on the role of the Doctor], but we’re really enjoying building Dodo’s and the Doctor’s relationship and seeing it grow.”

Glynis Barber added: “Stephen is doing such an amazing job. I felt like I had to rise to his performance because it’s quite dramatic. The scenes between our characters are great fun. They go from fighting to being charmed by each other.”

Rufus Hound said: “The joy of playing the Monk is that he’s a creature of absolute self-service so whenever I approach the script, I’m always wondering, ‘what’s in this for him?’ What’s odd in this story is that he’s essentially become Robin Hood. But when the Doctor turns up, everything becomes infinitely more complicated.”

Annette Badland said: “The Miniaturist is a lonely soul and looking to see how the world works. She is the baddie but she’s also someone seeking out a better way of being.

“I’ve really enjoyed working with Stephen and Lauren. He is excellent as the First Doctor. It’s an onerous task but he’s stepped right up to the plate.” Doctor Who fans can now buy Doctor Who — The First Doctor Adventures: The Outlaws at just £19.99 (for the collector’s edition CD + download) or £16.99 (for the digital download only). Big Finish listeners can save money long-term by purchasing this series within a bundle of 14 Classic Doctor Who box sets due in 2022 for £274 (on CD + download) or £237 (download only). Similarly, a bundle containing 10 Classic Doctor Who 2022 box sets is available for £190 (on CD + download) or £165 (download only). Alternatively, listeners can purchase both The First Doctor Adventures: The Outlaws and The Second Doctor Adventures: Beyond War Games together in a bundle on CD + download (for just £38) or on download only (for just £33). All the above prices include the special pre-order discount and are subject to change after general release.