Power of 3

Last week, we learned of the very sad news of the passing of Justin Richards. Justin is best known to Doctor Who fans as a novel writer, book editor, script writer and script editor with Big Finish, but he was also an accomplished children's novelist too. To pay tribute to Justin, we speak to Peter Anghelides, Steve Cole, Gary Russell and Lisa Bowerman, who all knew him and worked with him in diff...

Last week, we learned that sad news that Justin Richards, former Doctor Who books editor, and prolific novelist, had died. Justin was a powerhouse in the worlds of Doctor Who literature, writing for the majority of the Doctors, for the BBC, Virgin and Penguin, as well as crafting a number of factual books. We pay tribute to him with a look at his 50th anniversary novel, Plague of the Cybermen. Jus...

We've now featured around half of the New Adventures novels on the Power of 3, as we speak to the writers (where possible) about their books which were too broad and too deep for television. In today's episode, we look at the 36th New Adventure, which was written by Daniel Blythe. He discusses his second book in the range, after The Dimension Riders, and we also feature the DWM prelude, readings f...

Who remembers Destiny of the Doctors? No, not Destiny of the Doctor (singular), the joint BBC AudioGo/Big Finish series of productions for the 50th anniversary. Doctor Who and computer games have never been an easy mix, from The First Adventure and Warlord on the BBC Micro, through to Doctor Who and the Mines of Terror on the Commodore 64, and then Dalek Attack on various early 90s machines. Rathe...

The founder and Reeltime Pictures joins us again, and this time he's front and centre to discuss the company's history. From in-depth interviews, to full-cast dramatic productions, Reeltime has done them all over the years. Keith shares some fascinating insight into some of the earliest interviews, recruiting Nick Briggs to front the series, and how he and others went about shooting Wartime, the f...

It's time to say so long, farewell, to Ace, for the third time, after Survival and Love and War. We're delighted to be joined by Kate Orman, as she talks her way through the writing process, and shares her thoughts on the cover. As ever, we feature readings from the novel, plus the Doctor Who Magazine prelude.

We've got a tripled BAFTA Award winner as our guest this week! We're delighted to welcome writer Bob Ayres to the Power of 3, as we mark the release of his first work for BBC Audiobooks. Bob - the younger brother of sound genius Mark Ayres - discusses writing for the Eleventh Doctor, in Circle of Memory. Plus, we feature a five minute sample from the episode, read by Dan Starkey, courtesy of our f...

We know that the word "parasite" is an insult used by the Chelonians in the New Adventures, but this has nothing to do with our favourite cybernetic tortoises. We're looking at Jim Mortimore's third book for the New Adventures range, following Lucifer Rising (with Andy Lane) and Blood Heat. We feature an all-new interview with Jim, as well as some archival interviews with the writer of this novel,...

"As part of securing the next phase of the show for future generations, and in line with the BBC's Charter and Agreement requirements, the BBC will put Doctor Who out to competitive tender this year." And with those words, the era of RTD2 is officially over. The triumphant return, heralded in time for the 60th anniversary, has come to an end. There will be no 2026 Christmas special. We gather our...

Falls the Shadow is undoubtedly one of the most controversial of all New Adventures. Known as the longest novel in the series, and also for its violence, Daniel O'Mahony has re-read his novel, and joins us to discuss it. We make no apologies for the fact this is one of our longest-ever episodes - apt, for such a length book!

‘After the neutronic war, our Dalek forefathers retired into the city, protected by our machines.’ The Black Archive returns, as it delves into the facts of The Daleks (aka Serial B/The Mutants/Beyond the Sun/The Dead Planet). We speak to writer Oliver Wake to discuss his first entry in the Black Archive, the ongoing series of monographs on individual Doctor Who stories from our friends at Obverse...

We return to our look at the New Adventures range as we put Mark Gatiss's second Doctor Who adventure, St Anthony's Fire, in focus. Featuring archive interviews with the writer (we did try and get a new conversation with him, but he's just been so busy!), we find out what happens when the Seventh Doctor, Ace and Bernice encounter a religious cult. We feature the prelude, excerpts from the novel, p...

We take a look at another 'lost' story featuring Richard E Grant's Doctor from Scream of the Shalka. Paul Cornell's story for Christopher Eccleston's Ninth Doctor in the 2006 Doctor Who Annual, The Masks of Makassar, started life as his proposed sequel to the animated adventure. We take a look at the story - with a full reading of the annual adventure - and see how it would have worked as an anima...

We're taking a look at one of the first Eleventh Doctor novels published by BBC Books, as we turn the clock back to 2010. Night of the Humans was one of three original novels featuring the Doctor and Amy Pond, as they ventured out into the universe together. We're delighted to be joined by writer David Llewelyn, as he talks us through his process for writing this book - and mentions a party which...

We conclude our mini-series of episodes celebrating the Third Doctor, as we return to the original Power of 3 format. Steevie, Kenny and Dr John take a look at Speadhead from Space, The Daemons and Planet of the Spiders, and share their thoughts on each. Which is the favourite? They'll share their thoughts - do you agree? Let us know!

On 20 May 1996, Doctor Who's third leading man passed away. In this bonus episode of the Power of 3, we remember Jon Pertwee, whose five years in the title role took Doctor Who to levels of popularity unseen since the show's 60s heyday. We are joined by a host of friends, including a very special guest who discusses Jon's personal legacy for them - and how Tom Baker gave their career a boost.

The Power of 3 is remembering the Third Doctor, Jon Pertwee, who passed away this week, 30 years ago. We kick off our commemoration with a look at the most Third Doctor of all Third Doctor novels, Mark Gatiss's love letter to the 1971-73 period, with the Doctor, Jo and the UNIT team - as well as the Master. We feature archive quotes from Mark, as well as the memories of book editor Steve Cole.

In our two-part look at the work which has gone in, to bring the TV Movie to 4K and blu-ray, we speak to more people involved in the process. Last week Paul Vanezis told us the full story of his work to restore the film, and this time, we're joined by David Palfreyman, who worked on the film scans, and Mark Ayres, who has restored the sound. And now, we're all ready for the BFI Screening!

Remember when Doctor Who was the number one show on TV, and everyone loved David Tennant and Billie Piper? We turn back the clock 20 years, as we travel with the Tenth Doctor and Rose to Africa, as we look at the original novel The Art of Destruction. Writer Steve Cole joins us to discuss this book, with audiobook readings from Don Warrington.

We're just a few weeks away from the release of the Doctor Who TV Movie in 4K and blu-ray restored form. Joining us is the man who has overseen the work, Paul Vanezis, for a rare podcast interview. Prepare for some incredibly in-depth information on the process of bringing the film to UK standards, which will blow your mind. Please note: This episode is also this week's edition of Pieces of Eighth...

The Ninth Doctor, Rose and Captain Jack are our focus this week, as we take a look at the fourth New Series Adventure. The Deviant Strain - taking its name from the cover typeface - was released in 2005, and was written by the range editor Justin Richards. We feature an archive chat with Justin, which is read for us, while Steve Cole tells us what it's like to edit the editor! We have our usual ex...

A Doctor Who story set in Scotland, that isn't Terror of the Zygons?! What?! In the first of an occasional series, the Power of 3 takes a look at Big Finish stories which are set north of the Border, in Caledonia. Today, John and Kenny discuss Medicinal Purposes, a Sixth Doctor adventure set in Edinburgh, featuring Leslie Phillips and some wee laddie called David Tennant. Plus, we're joined by the...

The Seventh Doctor and Ace face a deadly, unthinking foe with an appetite for destruction - the Krill! We find out all about the genetically engineered superweapon, as Mike Tucker joins us to discuss his PDA, co-written with Robert Perry. It's Krill or be Krilled - we also briefly discuss its audio sequel, Dust Breeding. You can hear about the making of Dust Breeding on the Big Finish podcast - ht...

At last - the word is out, and Character Options have revealed their figure line-up for 2026. Al Dewar is back with the Power of 3, the original home of action figure talk with the man himself, as he talks us through the Fourth Doctor, Mr Ring-A-Ding, the Wirrn, Liz Shaw and the Primord, plus the Cybermen - and also, the Yeti! AND! Al reveals the figure he originally planned for the collect and bu...

New Target novelisations are out! Hurrah! We start our look at these new paperbacks with a look at the Ninth Doctor novelisation of Aliens of London. We speak to writer Joseph Lidster, editor Steve Cole, and feature an excerpt from the audiobook release. The paperback and audiobook are out now!