Power of 3

Under the microscope today is a novel by the godfather of Doctor Who fiction, Mr Terrance Dicks. Today, Catastrophea, his Third Doctor and Jo Past Doctor Adventure for BBC Books, is examined. We're delighted to feature never before seen (or in this case heard!) material from Terrance's archive, courtesy of his widow Elsa and biographer Simon Guerrier. Editor Steve Cole drops by too, to reveal how this novel was commissioned.

Our new irregular series speaking to the Scots who've made Doctor Who on TV continues. We're today joined by Saul Metzstein, who directed five of Matt Smith's stories in Series 7, as well as three of the shorts. Plus, he talks about directing hit TV show Slow Horses.

The Second Doctor, Jamie and Zoe find themselves in a dead end town on an alien world, in Colony of Lies. Author Colin Brake returns to join us once more, as we take a look at his BBC Past Doctor Adventures novel. Plus, we reveals where Dimensions in Time stands in EastEnders canon, and teases what he may have done if he had taken the script editor's job in Doctor Who if Series 27 had gone ahead!

You may not have realised this, but the Power of 3 is a Doctor Who podcast based in Scotland. We're kicking off an irregular series discussing the show with the Scots who have worked on it, with a conversation with concept artist Peter Mckinstry. Peter's book, The Art of Time Travel, has recently been released, and in his only podcast interview, he joins us here on the Power of 3 to discuss his work on the TV show, from Series Two through to Series Five. Peter also tells us how his fant-art-stic book came about. Plus, Steve Cole pops by to tell us about his work on the book too.

What's that you say, child? You need to know about Damnation, erm, Salvation? Well, my boy, it's a good job the Power of Four podcast is here, is it not? They're bringing you a look at the creation of this book featuring myself, with the editor Stephen Cole, and that charming young man who wrote it, young Steve Lyons. Now, off you go and listen to it on your musical boxes or vinyls playing device. Go on, shoo, shoo!

As the nights are cold and dark, what could be a better time to listen to a story set in a spooky old house at night? Craig and Kenny discuss Big Finish's masterpiece, erm, Master, from 2003. And they're joined by producer Gary Russell, writer Joe Lidster, actress Charlie Hayes, and you will obey him... Mr Geoffrey Beevers!

We're back with the Eleventh Doctor on his adventures with Amy and Rory. Today we put Extra Time under the microscope, as the Doctor and his friends battle to ensure England win the World Cup. (The Twelfth Doctor would not have helped here!) We have an exclusive interview with author Richard Dungworth, who kindly replied to some emailed questions, which we've had read out on his behalf by our friend James Hadwen-Bennett. Plus, we have two readings from the book.

So, 2025... that was an eventful one in Doctor Who terms, wasn't it? We lost a Doctor, apparently gained a new one, had a spin-off show to watch, a new Doctor arrived at Big Finish, missing episodes were rumoured to be returning, and a host of great merchandise was released. John, Kenny and Steevie go through some of these big Who news stories and discuss them. What was your Who highlight of 2025? Tell us on our social media!

It's our final episode of 2025 - and we end with the Tenth Doctor taking on an old foe. Today's book club sees us joined by writer David Llewelyn, as he discusses The Taking of Chelsea 426, an adventure set in the gap year, as the Doctor travelled solo after losing Donna. As well as hearing from David, we have two excerpts from the official audiobook, read by Christopher Ryan, plus reviews and ratings.

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.