She’s Doctor Martha Jones, who the hell are you? Freema Agyeman returns in her own triumphant trio of audio adventures
It’s been one of the most anticipated and speculated about potential projects for Big Finish for years. And now, after more than a decade away from the TARDIS, the Tenth Doctor’s companion, Martha Jones, is returning to the world of Doctor Who in December, in a brand-new box set of full-cast audio drama from Big Finish Productions to explore Martha’s year walking the Earth. The three stories take place between the television episodes The Sound of Drums and The Last of the Time Lords. They follow Martha’s quest to warn humanity about the Master while spreading hope with tales of her friend, the Doctor.
Also featuring in these adventures is Adjoa Andoh, once again playing Martha’s mum, Francine. Since Doctor Who the legendary British actor has gone to star in the smash-hit Bridgerton and played Richard II at Shakespeare’s Globe among other successes.
Martha is “an ordinary person, trying to do extraordinary things”
Freema Agyeman discussed pulling Martha’s worn down combat boots back on at last. “We really didn’t know what Martha was going through during that year on Earth – we see her embark on it, and we see the conclusion of it, but it’s so interesting to really see her as an ordinary person, trying to do extraordinary things. She has incredible independence and strength so I think she can rely on that, but it’s been great to see how she does ebb and flow throughout that journey.”
Producer David Richardson shared his own excitement for getting to hear Martha’s odyssey come to life. “I love Martha Jones and I love tales of an apocalyptic Earth, so when we secured Freema for this box set I was immediately drawn to the idea of Martha’s year on an Earth subjugated by the Master. The Doctor has lost! The Jones family in peril! Toclafane sweeping the skies, and a mission to travel the world, sharing tales of a Time Lord who defeats the monsters. There was so much dramatic potential in this story world and our writers have had a lot of fun with that.”
In other news, New Amsterdam is back
Martha fans may also be pleased to know that New Amsterdam, the American medical drama in which Freema Agyeman co-stars as Dr. Helen Sharpe is back for a new series tonight on Sky Witness. The first episode depicts the unprecedented stress and danger the staff of New Amsterdam Hospital face battling the pandemic. It’s on at 9pm tonight, and watch the first five minutes on the official YouTube channel here:
Doctor Who: The Year of Martha Jones
The Last Diner by James Goss
Silver Medal by Tim Foley
Deceived by Matt Fitton
The Year of Martha Jones is now available to pre-order as a collector’s edition CD (at £19.99) or digital download (at £16.99). Both are exclusive to the Big Finish website.
Big Finish is currently operating a digital-first release schedule. Factors beyond Big Finish’s control may delay the mail-out of collector’s edition CDs. But all purchases of this release unlock a digital copy that can be immediately downloaded. They can also be played on the Big Finish app from the release date.
