Early next year, River Song will finally meet the Master in the third series of Doctor Who audio spin-off The Diary of River Song. But it’s not just one incarnation that she has to face: it’s four!
A few months ago, Michelle Gomez let it slip at a convention that Missy will be meeting River in her audio spin-off, The Diary of River Song. At the time, that sounded like some of the biggest news that they could have leaked. After all, Missy was previously exclusive to the Peter Capaldi era, and so far, Big Finish have only concentrated on events and characters that feature up to the end of Matt Smith’s. So River meeting Missy was huge news.
But not as huge as the official announcement. Because, as revealed by Big Finish today, River’s not just meeting one incarnation of her husband’s greatest enemy. She’s meeting four…including, perhaps most surprising of all, Eric Roberts!
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Producer David Richardson gives us an idea of what to expect.
"Yes, it’s the first time Eric Roberts has returned to the role since the TV movie in 1996, and the first appearance of Michelle Gomez as Missy in a Big Finish production. With Derek Jacobi as the War Master and Geoffrey Beevers as the decayed Master, it’s an unmissable line-up!"
Eric Roberts
With the exception of John Simm, that’s all the surviving Masters from the TV series! It’s quite a surprise for River to meet so many at once. Let alone Eric Roberts, an incredibly surprising choice!
Executive producer Jason Haigh-Ellery reveals more of what it’s like getting Roberts to work at Big Finish.
"Working with Eric was a complete joy. Firstly, he is such a nice man and so easy to communicate with. Secondly, he likes to work and he likes to work fast. Scenes whizz by and we are all enjoying yourselves so much that you forget you are directing an Oscar nominee with over 450 movies under his belt (which should be intimidating – but isn’t). He’s very down to earth – no ego or vanity involved. I hope we work together again soon!"
This is quite an announcement for Big Finish. Eric Roberts hasn’t been in the TV series for over two decades. For some fans, he’s might not be a favorite, either. After all, the TV Movie has always been very divisive for fans. But it’s still incredibly exciting news, and it sounds like he’s very enthusiastic about reprising the role. We’re very excited to hear more from him, as well as Gomez, when they meet River next year.
Series Five of The Diary of River Song will be released on CD and download from Big Finish in January 2019. Series Four, which is set to feature the Fourth Doctor, will be released in August this year.
Next: Retro review: The Poison Sky (Tenth Doctor story)
Are you excited about this news? Is there a particular favorite Master of yours in this box set? What do you think River will make of the Doctor’s arch-enemy? Leave your thoughts in the comments below!