Power of 3

Merry Christmas, everybody! There may not be any new Doctor Who on TV this festive season, so we're turning back the clock to look at some of our festive favourites. Steevie and Kenny are joined by a plethora of pals, as they pick their favourite Doctor Who adventures set at Christmas.

Christmas wouldn't be Christmas without The Chimes of Midnight, if you ask any Big Finish fan. And Eighth Dcotor tale Chimes has been given a 2025 makeover in print form by author Robert Shearman, who's also novelised his Sixth Doctor plauy Jubilee, for BBC Books. We're joined by Rob and editor Steve Cole, for a festive treat.

The final Black Archive release from Obverse Books is now available - Mawdryn Undead. We speak to writer Kara Dennison about why she chose this often overlooked Fifth Doctor adventure to put under the microscope. You can order a copy here - https://obversebooks.co.uk/product/80-mawdryn-undead/ Plus, we reveal what's coming next year from Obverse as the Black Archive continues in 2026, its tenth year of publishing. Follow Kara on her blog - https://karadennison.blogspot.com/

Given how few full Doctor Who novels there are set at Christmas, we today speak to the writer of a very wintry book. Joining us from across the pond is Lloyd Rose, discussing her Seventh Doctor PDA The Algebra of Ice, which features Ace and the Brigadier. Please excuse the quality of the interview, as the conversation with Lloyd took place using a traditional phone line, which we've tried to clean up as best as we can. Please, we feature a pair of readings from the novel, as usual.

Today marks the final episode of The War Between the Land and the Sea. And to commemorate it, we look at the first performed Sea Devil story! We speak to producer Gary Russell and writer David Bailley about Big Finish adventure Professor Bernice Summerfield and the Poison Seas, and the difficulties of bringing Sea Devils to life on audio.

As we prepare for the final encounter between the Earth Reptiles and humanity in The War Between the Land and the Sea, we're heading back to Big Finish territory. We take a look at the making of Bloodtide, the 22nd Big Finish Doctor Who release, which pitted the Sixth Doctor and Evelyn Smythe against the Silurians - and a Myrka. Joining us to discuss it are writer Jonathan Morris, producer/director Gary Russell, actors Miles Richardson and Helen Goldwyn, plus musician and sound designer Alistair Lock.

We travel back to 2009 today, to talk about the plastic fantastic. We're joined by not just Character Options's Al Dewar but Dave Turbitt, who was at BBC Licensing at the time. They talk us through the creative process for David Tennant's final season as the Doctor.

Today, we met writer Al Ronald, who's recently had three releases from Big Finish. He's written a Paternoster Gang, for the Seventh Doctor and Ace, and also a Comedy Playhouse release. Oh, and he's Scottish...

We're celebrating a Doctor Who Christmas story from Big Finish today, with a Doctor whose TV reign was not as long as it should have been. No, we're not discussing THAT one, we're looking at Blood on Santa's Claw and Other Stories. We're joined by writer Nev Fountain.

If there's one item a Doctor Who fan needs every year, it's the annual! We speak to Paul Lang, the writer and designer of the Official Doctor Who Annual, about this year's publication. And he teases what's coming next year too!

We make a rare trip into Paul McGann territory today, for a look at the BBC Eighth Doctor Adventure Vanderdeken's Children. Christopher Bulis returns for another appearance as he shares his memories of writing this novel. Chris previously spoke to Kenny on Pieces of Eighth about this book, but this is an all-new interview with him, plus we also hear from editor Steve Cole and cover artist Colin Howard.

Our 12 Krynoid Pods of Christmas has begun! We're counting down to December 25 with a podcast each day - some short, some long, to help pass the time before Santa arrives. Today, Al Dewar from Character joins us to discuss the latest release - the Wrarth Warriors, from The Star Beast.

It's official - Season 21 will be the next Doctor Who release from The Collection. We've used our timescoop to find Tom Harris, our founding father, and bring him from his rose garden of retirement, to join Dave and Kenny, as is our tradition each time a new box set is revealed. What do our team think of these stories? And did they like the trailer? Find out by listening in!

It's been a while since be brought you an original novel featuring the Sixth Doctor - so here we go! We're delighted to be joined by the brilliant Kate Orman, discussion her first - and last! - Past Doctor Adventure from BBC Books. Plus, we feature the usual readings from the novel, plus the contemporary DWM review, and how readers look at it now.

The War Between the Land and the Sea is just a few days away from broadcast. So, before the Sea Devils (Homo Aqua if you prefer - although you're about to hear how inaccurate it is from our resident Latin scholar!) return to our screens, we've taken a look at the previous stories in which the feature. So, what do John, Steevie, Dave and Kenny think of The Sea Devils, Warriors of the Deep and Legend of the Sea Devils?

The Sea Devils return to our TV screens this weekend - but in a new way! The Third Doctor tale is being given a new lease of life through a 90 minute new edit, and Benjamin Cook tells us about it. Plus, Mark Ayres discusses the audio side of things, and how a new score has been created for the story by Lorne Balfe. Plus, Peter Crocker discusses the picture restoration (from a previous episode of the podcast!).

With less than a week to go until the broadcast of the first part of The War Between the Land and the Sea, we look back to a past adventure with the Earth reptiles. Under the microscope today is The Silurian Gift, as we take our first dip into the Quick Reads series. Author Mike Tucker joins us to discuss this fun, fast read - which is still available to buy.

Last week, we brought you a look at the New Adventure, Shakedown. Part of it novelised the video release of the production from DreamWatch Media, written by Terrance Dicks. So, in a sequel to that episode (and in some ways a prequel - it's Doctor Who, of course it can be both!), we speak to director Kevin Jon Davies about creating this adventure with the Sontarans.

We return to the earliest days of BBC Books' Past Doctor Adventures. Today, we take a look at just the third book they published, The Ultimate Treasure. We're delighted to be joined by the joyous Christopher Bulis as he talks us through the process of switching from Virgin Publishing to the BBC.

It's Doctor Who's 62nd anniversary - hurrah! To commemorate the occasion, we take an in-depth look at Dr Who and the Spare-Part People (also known as The Brain Drain, but given Big Finish recently did a Third Doctor tale with that title - totally unrelated - we're using The Spare-Part People!). Originally written by Jon Pertwee and his friend Reed de Rouen, this was pitched around the time of Season 7 to the production office, but never made. We bring you readings of the full plot breakdown, complete with a Radiophonic Workshop score, and our thoughts on the outline. Should it have been developed? Tune in and decide for yourself!

We know that a lot of our listeners are Doctor Who action figure collecting enthusiasts, so we're always pleased to welcome Character Options' Al Dewar to the podcast. As we occasionally do, we encouraged listeners to send in their questions for Al following some social media prompts, and we share some of your questions here, with Al giving his replies. Al wasn't given copies of the questions in advance, so what you hear are his honest instant reactions. So stand by to find out just what the situation is with the TARDIS console room playset Al previously mentioned, some B&M figures we didn't get, and much more! Please note: This was recorded on Tuesday night, and Dave, Kenny and Al were also keeping an eye on the score at Hampden Park, as Scotland won 4-2 against Denmark to qualify for the 2026 World Cup Finals.

He may have gone from our TV screens, but the Fifteenth Doctor still lives on. His adventures continue through BBC Audiobooks, and we're delighted to be joined by the fantastic Dr Una McCormack, who tells us about writing her latest adventure, Counterstrike. Plus, we have an excerpt from the other new release, Firefall.

In our latest episode looking at a Doctor Who novel, we're delighted to welcome Lance Parkin to The Power of 3 for the first time. We discuss how he got his commission to write Just War, the research involved, the writing process, the reaction, the audio version, and so much more, in one of our longest-ever episodes. Plus, Dave Owen reads his original review of Just War from DWM, as well as our usual readings from the book and 2025 reaction to the book.

Who remembers the excitement of 1994, when a new Doctor Who drama without Doctor Who was announced, featuring the Sontarans? And then - GASP! - came the news that this story would then be novelised as part of the New Adventures range, featuring Doctor Who! And it was being written by Terrance Dicks?! Kenny is joined by guest co-conspirator Si Hart, as they look at this book. Plus, we've got readings from archival interviews of Terrance Dicks, performed by someone with plenty of Big Finish and Dead Ringers credits to his name! Yes, it's... well, tune in and hear!

The latest of the Puffin Classics Doctor Who novels is here, and the Doctor encounters... Dracula! We're delighted to welcome back Paul Magrs to discuss writing this book, as he reveals his love of the original novel, and lots more besides. Plus, courtesy of our friends at BBC Audiobooks, we bring you not just the official audio release of this book, but three others!

Remember that time on Doctor Who when Mike Yates died? In our latest book club episode, looking at a Doctor Who novel, we're heading back to the era of the Missing Adventures, and looking at Speed of Flight. We're joined by author Paul Leonard to discuss his 1996 work.

He's back, and it's about time. Well, 18 months or so! Today, we're looking at the latest releast from Obverse Publishing's Black Archive series, as Jez Strickley turns the spotlight on The Mysterious Planet. We discuss the book in depth, and the fascinating themes which emerge about people and place. You can order a copy at: https://obversebooks.co.uk/product/79-the-mysterious-planet/

The Robots of Death return! Decades for Big Finish's excellent spin-off series The Robots, Chris Boucher returned the Fourth Doctor and Leela to Kaldor, for a BBC Past Doctor Adventure. We speak to editor Steve Cole about how the book came about, plus we have archival interviews with the author, including his introduction from the 2014 Monster Collection reprint. Kenny is joined by the Irredeemable Shag Matthews to discuss it.

He's a New York Times best selling author. He's written tie in fiction for Star Wars and Stranger Things. Adam Christopher joins the Power of 3 to discuss his Doctor Who work, which has seen him write for Big Finish (including a script on the most recent War Master set), and now, a BBC Audio. We speak to Adam about growing up with Doctor Who in New Zealand, editing the fanzine Time Space Visualiser, and so much more! (Please note, sound quality drops out for one brief section, and we hope this doesn't spoil your enjoyment of the episode)

The Selacians return to menace the Second Doctor, in today's book club edition. We're taking a look at The Final Sanction, written by Steve Lyons, in which his alien cetations return, to encounted the Doctor, Jamie and Zoe. It's an interesting adventure, which features effective fixed points in time, before fixed points in time were 'a thing', plus we also mention the audio appearances of the Selacians too.

The Eye of the Scorpion was a significant release for Big Finish. It was the first script to be produced, which had been sent through to Gary Russell, back in the days of open submissions. We speak to writer Iain McLaughlin about how it came to be, his love of Egypt, Erimem's adventures in print, and her latest outing, A Pharoah of Mars, by Jim Mortimore. We feature a reading from A Pharoah of Mars too, courtesy of podcast co-conspirator David Steel.

It's official - Disney+ are out of Doctor Who, and it's back in the Beeb's full control. A new Christmas special is on the way for 2026, with a series to follow - Doctor Who is NOT dead! Kenny, Dave and Brandon Peter discuss the latest developments, with guest voices from around the world too!

We're back in the era of the First Doctor, as we take a look at the BBC PDA Ten Little Aliens. Featuring the Doctor, Ben and Polly, we speak with author Steve Cole about this novel with a unique section midway through it, as we experience something similar to a Choose Your Own Adventure-style escapade. Plus, we also have a short excerpt from Pieces of Eighth, as Peter Anghelides explains how he helped work on the book.

It's one of those things we've often heard about - the original version of what became Pyramids of Mars. You know the one - the British Museum, mummies, that kind of thing. Well, today, we're bringing you a look at that story - we've got four readers bringing you each of the episodes, before Steevie, Dave, John and Kenny discuss whether it needed Robert Holmes's rewrite (hint: it did!).

"Hee hee hee! Oh, my dear Doctor, you're such a fool..." Who can forget Anthony Ainley's portrayal of the Master. Once seen, never forgotten, for so many reasons. And now, he's been fully captured in plastic, thanks to Character Options. Al Dewar joins us to discuss the figure, its creation, the accessories, and more.

Our celebrations of all things Season 13 related continue with our latest book club episode. Today, we take a look at the Missing Adventure System Shock, set between The Seeds of Doom and The Masque of Mandragora, featuring the Fourht Doctor and Sarah, plus a guest appearance from Harry Sullivan. We explore the novel through archival interviews, and a chat with Julian Richards, son of author Justin. Plus, there might just be a surprise or two along the way as well!

Doctor Who has always managed to encompass different story telling styles, whether on TV, on audio, or in print. 1001 Nights in Time and Space takes a different look at various Doctor Who stories from over the show's 62 years, as it retells them in new and interesting ways. We're joined by authors Steve Cole and Paul Magrs, to discuss how the book came to be, Paul's illustrations, and storytelling in general. This is a great listen, to two friends having a natter!

With the Season 13 Blu-ray release imminent, we continue our countdown to its arrival. Today, we take a look at the various Charaction Options action figures which have been released from one story in this season, Pyramids of Mars. Character's Al Dewar brings the gift of memories, as he joins us to discuss the Fourth Doctor, Servitor, Pyramids of Mars and Priory playset.

Copies of the Season 13 blu-ray are arriving now, after being dispatched by HMV in the UK! And to tease you with more of the new extras, we speak to Chris Chapman about the documentaries, photo galleries with Derek Handley, and commentaries, documentaries and Behind the Sofa with all-round good guy Toby Hadoke. Plus, Kenny and Dave discuss the Target novelisation covers for various editions of the Season 13 stories!

The countdown has begun - there's less than a week until Season 13 arrives on Blu-ray in the UK. As ever, we preview this eagerly-anticipated release by speaking to some of the people involved in the extras. Today, Peter Crocker tells us about the picture restoration, and Richard Bignell teases some archive gems in the PDF extras.

We return to the Thirteenth Doctor in print for our latest book club edition. Author Una McCormack drops by to discuss writing for the Doctor, Graham, Yaz and Ryan. Plus, we feature excerpts from the official BBC Audiobooks release, performed by Dan Starkey.

We take a look at the latest release in the Black Archive series from Obverse Books in our latest episode. Their first book to feature the Fifteenth Doctor is The Devil's Chord, from season 1/series 14/ season 40 (delete as applicable). Author Dale Smith tells us why he chose this story - but will we get non-diegetic?

Who remembers when the Doctor, Amy and Rory met dinosaurs? Ah yes, when they were on a tramp steamer in Florida, in the Victorian era. What do you mean, you had forgotten about the novel Terrible Lizards? We speak to Jonathan Green about his book.

It's been revealed by lost film specialists Film is Fabulous! that more than two missing episodes of Doctor Who exist in the hands of private collectore. They're expecting to make an announcement on the return of these soon, along with some episodes from season one of The Avengers. Dave and Kenny are joined by Brandon Peters, of The Brandon Peters Show, to discuss

If you're a Doctor Who fan of a certain age, then you'll know exactly who David J Howe is. DWM's Matrix Data Bank consultant, DWAS exec member, co-editor of The Frame fanzine, co-author of The Sixties, Seventies and Eighties books, plus the Handbook series, publisher at Telos Books... Yes, he's done a lot, and doggedly stuck with the show through thick and thin. Now, his autobiography, Who Me!, has been released. He joins us to talk about his life in fandom, and the new book.

The plastic fantastic are back in our high street stores in the UK. The Special Weapons Dalek and an Imperial Dalek feature in History of the Daleks set 20, while there's a trio of metallic fiends from Revenge of the Cybermen in the latest B&M releases. Character's Al Dewar joins us once again to talk us through these fab figures, and tell us about something we sadly won't be getting.

We return to the New Series Adventures range of novels, after spending a while in the classic era. Today, we're joining the Tenth Doctor and Martha in an ecological thriller set in the near future - Snowglobe 7. We speak to writer Mike Tucker, with readings from the original audiobook (still available as a download), from someone called Georgia Moffett. Whatever happened to her?

The range of Target audiobooks from The Daleks through to Rose is now complete, with the release of Doctor Who and the Loch Ness Monster. Michael Stevens, who oversees BBC Audiobooks' Doctor Who output, joins us to celebrate this landmark, bringing with him a host of clips from some of his favourite releases. Joining in the fun are Andrew Smith, who talks about novelising Full Circle, and the legendary Jon Culshaw, who's read many of the audiobook releases. It's a party for your ears!

Big Finish's latest release in the Lost Stories range is Alixion, a story which would have featured as part of the never to be Season 27. Original writer Robin Mukherjee has adapted his original outline for audio, with Sylvester McCoy and Sophie Aldred back as the Doctor and Ace. Robin joins us to discuss the story, how it almost came to be on television and its return to life on audio. Plus, Kenny and Dave discuss the other Lost Stories from this era, which Big Finish have released.

We're back in the territory of the Target novelistations with today's episode. We look at the opening adventure of the Fifteenth Doctor's second and final season, as we discuss novelising The Robot Revolution with Una McCormack. Plus, we have Varada Sethu popping in too, reading an extract from the audiobook.

The mystery is revealed... Just who has changed time and been plaguing the Doctor, Ace and Bernice on their travels? We find out in No Future, as the Alternative Universe Cycle comes to a close. We discuss Paul Cornell's third Doctor Who novel, plus feature the DWM prelude and readings from the book, as well as archival interviews with the author.