Doctor Who: The Diary of River Song – New Details and Casting

By Barry Rice | Jul 28, 2015

Big Finish has been on a roll lately with their new Doctor Who spin-offs — the first to ever use characters from the revived series. First up was the new UNIT series with Jemma Redgrave and Ingrid Oliver returning as Kate Stewart and Osgood, then there was the new Torchwood series with John Barrowman and Gareth David-Lloyd (so far), plus the Winston Churchill spin-off and Classic Doctors, New Monsters featuring the Fifth, Sixth, Seventh, and Eighth Doctors facing off against the Weeping Angels, Judoon, and more.

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But among the most eagerly anticipated releases is the upcoming Doctor Who: The Diary of River Song, featuring Alex Kingston returning to her famous Doctor Who role. Today Big Finish released full details on the four-hour production, including writers and cast. The Diary of River Song will be made-up of four different stories, each by a different writer:

Doctor Who: The Diary of River Song starring Alex Kingston and Paul McGann, coming in January 2016.

(Credit: Big Finish)

The Boundless Sea by Jenny T. Colgan
Drawn out of self-imposed academic exile by an archaeological dig, River crosses paths with British Consul Bertie Potts – leading to a secret buried in a lost tomb…

Alexander Vlahos, known for his lead role in Big Finish’s Confessions of Dorian Gray series and as Mordrid in the BBC series Merlin, will guest-star in The Boundless Sea as Bertie. Script editor Matt Fitton had nothing but praise for writer Jenny T. Colgan:

"“Jenny has been on my writing wish-list for a while, and she’s created a funny, thrilling and scary adventure to kick start River’s journey.”"

Related: River Song and Other New Series Characters Return for Big Finish!

I Went to a Marvellous Party by Justin Richards
River is invited to the most exclusive gathering; right in the middle of Hyperspace! Hosts Gifford and Isabella hold a connection to the mysterious Rulers of the Universe; but with a murderer on board, is River too late to discover the truth?

One of my favorite actors, former Star Trek: Deep Space Nine and current Game of Thrones star Alexander Siddig guest-stars as Gifford in this second story, alongside Sense and Sensibility‘s Imogen Stubbs as Isabella.

Signs by James Goss
River is on the trail of mysterious, planet-killing SporeShips. Her only aid is a handsome time-travelling stranger with a connection to her future – her husband, Mr Song.

Alex Kingston and Samuel West as River and Mr. Song. (Credit: Big Finish)

Yep, it’s time to meet one of River Song’s other husbands, played by the talented and prolific Samuel West!

The Rulers of the Universe by Matt Fitton
The Eighth Doctor is drawn into events, as River must contend with a secret society and a face-off with an ancient alien force – with her future husband caught in the middle!

And now enter River’s future husband, the Doctor! Paul McGann guest-stars as the Eighth Doctor in this last story.

Related: 8 More Doctor Who Characters Who Need Big Finish Spin-Offs

This is shaping up to be a must-buy release from Big Finish; River is already such a rich character, ripe for further adventures, but these new details and casting are just spot-on. The Diary of River Song will be released in January 2016 and can be pre-ordered now. And don’t forget, River Song returns two months later in March’s Doctor Who: Doom Coalition 2 with Paul McGann’s Eighth Doctor!

What do you think? Are you excited for the solo adventures of archaeologist River Song? Sound off in the comments below!

Next: Doctor Who: Could an Animated Big Finish Series Work?

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