Doctor Who: The Fifth Doctor meets Cicero in an unusual crossover
By James Aggas
In September, the Fifth Doctor will meet major Roman historical figure, Cicero. But this is more than just your regular historical, as it crosses over into another Big Finish series…
Big Finish released some rather interesting news today. In September, the Fifth Doctor, Tegan and Nyssa will arrive in ancient Naples in Doctor Who audio Tartarus by David Llewellyn. There, they’ll meet Cicero – politician, lawyer, orator and a very interesting historical figure altogether. Naturally, this makes a story where he and the Doctor meet each other a perfect idea!
But Big Finish are doing more than just tell another historical with this one. Because this isn’t the first time that they’ve told stories with Cicero.
In February 2017, Big Finish released a pilot episode for a completely original series: Cicero, naturally inspired by the real life historical figure. The story was successful enough to lead to a full series, also written by David Llewellyn.
Samuel Barnett stars in the title role, and that’s the role he’s reprising in Tartarus. So essentially, we’re actually getting a bit of a crossover between Big Finish series with this one.
Samuel Barnett has previously played Cicero in Big Finish’s own original series based on the historical figure.
(Photo credit: Big Finish Productions.
Image obtained from: Big Finish Productions.)
An unusual crossover
Samuel Barnett gives an indication of what we can expect when the Doctor meets someone as unique as Cicero:
"There is a precedent in Doctor Who of the Doctor visiting real life occasions, locations and people that are familiar to us in history. The Doctor meeting Cicero lets us see Cicero’s skills as an orator that will hopefully help to save the day…"
So, unsurprisingly, Cicero himself will have a major role in this story. But how? And is the threat purely historical, or is there something more other worldly that the Doctor and Cicero have to face?
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While the latter option is more likely – especially since pure historicals weren’t exactly a common feature after the First Doctor’s era – on the other hand, this wouldn’t be the first pure historical that the Fifth Doctor’s had, especially from Big Finish. Regardless, it’s fascinating to see two Big Finish series cross over so directly like this, and it’s certainly made me even more curious about checking out Cicero, which I’ve heard many excellent reviews of.
Tartarus will be released in September on CD and download, and will begin a new season of audios for the Fifth Doctor, Tegan and Nyssa. This release will be followed by Interstitital / Feast of Fear by Carl Rowens / Martyn Waites in October, and Warzone / Conversion by Chris Chapman / Guy Adams in November.
Next. Why the reunion between Paul McGann’s Doctor and Eric Roberts’s Master is huge. dark
Have you listened to Big Finish’s original series Cicero? Are you excited by such an unusual crossover? Which historical figures do you want to see explored in Doctor Who? Let us know in the comments below.