DALEKS!!!!!!

Ahem! Excuse the exclamation marks, but the latest issue of Doctor Who Magazine has announced some rather exciting news.

It all started last October when Mark and I were about to head to Waterstones Gower Street for a Doctor Who event with Jenny Colgan. On the way, we received an email from Big Finish script editor Alan Barnes. Would we be interesting in writing another drama for the main range of Doctor Who audios? We both ummmed a bit. The deadline Alan had given was a wee bit on the tight side and both individually and as a writing partnership we already had a lot on.

Then we spotted a small, six letter word at the foot of the email.

Daleks.

We were being asked if we fancied writing for the Doctor Who monster.

For a Doctor Who writer this is like being asked if you want to borrow the Crown Jewels to wear in the bath. Ish. Well, whether it is or it isn’t, it’s one of those moments that don’t come along often. So we bit Alan’s arm off there and then.

The result is called Masters of Earth and, starring Colin Baker and Nicola Bryant, it’s out this November. We can’t say much more other than the fact that its set during the Dalek occupation of Earth as seen in the 1960s classic, The Dalek Invasion of Earth.

On a slightly bitter-sweet note, we were also excited that Masters of Earth would be followed by The Rani Elite in November, starring the late great Kate O’Mara as the villainous Time Lady. Of course, Kate passed away earlier this year, but as Doctor Who Magazine reveals, the amazing Siobhan Redmond has been cast in the role.

If you pick up Doctor Who Magazine this month (which you should – and not just for the rather wonderful review of Wit, Wisdom and Timey-Wimey Stuff either) make sure you read the Kate O’Mara tribute. I briefly met Kate last year at the Doctor Who Anniversary Celebration in Excel and, while obviously frail, she seemed to be relishing her appearances at the event, still wearing a very Rani-esque leather outfit to boot!