Hornets' Nest

Hornets' Nest is the umbrella title of a five-story audio drama arc released in the closing months of 2009 in CD and digital download formats by BBC Audio.

The arc marked the return of Tom Baker to the role of the Fourth Doctor for the first time since Destiny of the Doctors in 1997. Baker was the only surviving classic series Doctor actor who had not previously participated in reprising the character for BBC Audio or Big Finish Productions. This also marked Baker's first performance in an original audio drama as the Doctor since Doctor Who and the Pescatons (on LP) and Exploration Earth (on radio), both in 1976.

Richard Franklin also appears, reprising the role of Mike Yates, which he played during the Third Doctor era. This was his first opportunity to play opposite the Fourth Doctor.

The series was collected into a five-disc box set, released 9 February 2010. Overall sales of the series were high enough that AudioGo has continued with similar five-episode series in subsequent years. (Demon Quest, Serpent Crest)

Between 21-25 February 2011 The Guardian newspaper gave away free downloads of all five Hornets' Nest stories.

Additionally, the series has been broadcast on BBC Radio 4 Extra numerous times, beginning in December 2011. In 2015, it was re-released in The Nest Cottage Chronicles box set.

A vinyl version of the series was released by Demon Records on 6 May 2022.

Description
Mike Yates is called to Nest Cottage in Sussex, where he finds the Fourth Doctor holding vigil in a house infested with Hornets. With the help of Mike (and the Doctor's irascible housekeeper Mrs. Wibbsey), the Doctor goes in search of the Hornets' origins.

Cast

 * Tom Baker
 * Richard Franklin
 * Susan Jameson

Featuring

 * Daniel Hill
 * Clare Corbett
 * Christian Rodska
 * Susie Riddell
 * Michael Maloney
 * Jilly Bond
 * Stephen Thorne
 * Rula Lenska