Doctor Who has had an expansive history, from what happens in the show to what happens outside the show. In This Past Fortnight in Doctor Who History, we have THREE series of Counter Measures, the return of one of the best, or some may say— the BEST, companions in Doctor Who‘s history. We’ve also got a few heartbreaks in Torchwood, plus the main show. We even have a full season of Torchwood!
As we go through this 60th-anniversary special year, I’ll show you the key moments in Doctor Who’s history – every fortnight for the whole year. What better way to celebrate than that? Check out the last fortnights here!
Doctor Who History: Week Twenty-Seven– 3rd July to 9th July
In 1965, The Watcher was first broadcast, the first part of The Time Meddler serial. This episode had nothing to do with the character, the Watcher, who is a demonstration of the Doctor’s deepest moments, who caused the Fourth Doctor (Tom Baker) to regenerate into the Fifth Doctor (Peter Davison). Moving ahead to 2001, the world mourned the loss of the talented composer Delia Derbyshire, whose work on the Doctor Who theme music continues to resonate with fans. Fast forward to 2019, Big Finish treated us to the release of Rage of the Time Lords with The War Master (Derek Jacobi) and the Eighth Doctor (Paul McGann).
4th July
In 1928, the renowned director Paddy Russell entered the world, leaving an indelible mark on Doctor Who since she later in life became the first female director in the show’s history. Moving ahead to 2016, Big Finish released Broken to the public.
5th July
In 1970, the talented writer Toby Whithouse came into the world with his writing contributions of School Reunion, reuniting Sarah Jane Smith (Elisabeth Sladen) with the Doctor, not the exact one she once knew, this one had regenerated “half a dozen times since we last met”, she met the Tenth Doctor (David Tennant). On the topic of Sarah Jane, Journey’s End was first broadcast. This climactic episode brought tears of joy and sadness, but also the end of Donna Noble (Catherine Tate)— who is returning this year with David Tennant, Rose Tyler (Billie Piper), and Martha Jones (Freema Agyeman)— all the companions from New Who up to that point.
6th July
In 1935, the birth of director Derrick Sherwin marked the beginning of his noteworthy contributions to Doctor Who. Sherwin directed the episode in which K-9 (John Lesson) first debuted. Moving on to 2009, viewers were introduced to the gripping episode Children of Earth: Day One, which captivated audiences with its intense storytelling and compelling performances.
Fast forward to 2017, and Big Finish released The Office of Never Was, an intriguing audio production that expanded the Doctor Who universe with its mysterious narrative with Gareth David-Lloyd as Ianto Jones from the spin-off, Torchwood. Finally, in 2022, Big Finish treated fans to Beyond War Games, talking about what happened before the exile by the Time Lords.
7th July
In 1919, Jon Pertwee was born, eventually becoming one of the most iconic portrayals of the Doctor in Doctor Who, the Third Doctor. (Pertwee is my personal favourite Doctor!) His distinguished performance left a lasting impact on the series. Jumping ahead to 2004, Big Finish released the audio story The Grel Escape, part of the Bernice Summerfield collection. In 2009, viewers were captivated by the broadcast of Children of Earth: Day Two.
8th July
In 2006, the Doctor Who community mourned the loss of actor Peter Hawkins, who voiced the Daleks and Cybermen in the 1960s. The same year, viewers were captivated by the emotional and climactic episode Doomsday. This episode left fans crying about the outcome of Rose Tyler. Rose Tyler, I… Moving forward to 2009, Children of Earth: Day Three. Big Finish, known for its audio stories, delighted fans in 2014 with the release of Counter-Measures: Series 3.
The following year, 2015, saw Big Finish’s release of The Fate of Krelos as part of the Fourth Doctor Adventures. In 2020, Big Finish treated fans to the release of Missy: Series Two, delving further into Michelle Gomez’s character of Missy. Finally, in 2021, Lady Christina: Series Two was released by Big Finish. This offered more exciting escapades with Lady Christina de Souza.
9th July
In 1966, episode three of the serial, The War Machines, broadcast. Big Finish made waves in 2001 with the release of the Bernice Summerfield audio drama, The Extinction Event. The year 2009 brought the Torchwood episode, Children of Earth: Day Four, keeping audiences hooked with its storyline, and the death of the beloved character, Ianto Jones. 2015 brought the release of We Are The Daleks, an audio story with the Seventh Doctor and Melanie Bush. Torchwood fans had a reason to celebrate instead of mourning after 10 years in 2019 as Big Finish released Serenity.
Doctor Who History: Week Twenty-Eight– 10th July to 16th July
10th July
In 1941, Jackie Lane, the talented actor who portrayed the First Doctor companion, Dodo Chaplet, entered the world. In 1965, The Meddling Monk, the second part of The Time Meddler story, was first broadcast. Fast forward to 1969, and actor Jamie Glover was born. Glover later played Willam Russell in the 50th Anniversary special, An Adventure in Space and Time. The year 1970 brought us the birth of John Simm, an actor who would later portray the Saxon Master. As Children of Earth: Day Five aired in 2009, Torchwood Series 3 came to a close.
Three years later, in 2012, Big Finish released of Counter-Measures: Series 1 in 2012. 2013 saw the debut of the audio stories, Persuasion and Mastermind from Big Finish. Big Finish continued to deliver with the release of Counter-Measures: Series 4 in 2015. The year 2018 brought us the Eighth Doctor adventure, Time War: Volume Two from Big Finish. Finally, 2019 marked the introduction of The Eighth Doctor: The Further Adventures of Lucie Miller from Big Finish. This box set opened the doors to new stories featuring the companion, Lucie Miller.
11th July
In 1925, David Graham was born. Graham voiced the Daleks in many of the early serials such as The Daleks and The Dalek Invasion of Earth. He also voiced the Daleks in both Peter Cushing’s Dr. Who films. Just under four decades later, in 1964, Hidden Danger was released. Fast forward to 2014, and Big Finish delighted fans with the release of Breaking Bubbles and Other Stories and The Abandoned. The year 2017 brought us The High Price of Parking, with the Seventh Doctor, Ace, and Mel Bush. In 2019, Big Finish released Memories of a Tyrant.
12th July
In 1980, the talented actor Tom Price was born. Price is known amongst the Doctor Who community for his role as Sergeant Andy Davidson in the Doctor Who spin-off series Torchwood. Director Gordon Flemyng, known for his contributions to directing the Cushing Dr. Who films, passed away in 1995. Big Finish pleased fans with the release of the two audio stories Neverland with the Eighth Doctor, and the Sixth Doctor (Colin Baker) adventure, The Maltese Penguin in 2002.
In 2016, A Life of Crime was released by Big Finish, while 2017 saw the arrival of The Movellan Grave. Big Finish continued to thrill fans a year later with Hour of the Cybermen. Quite a consecutive day by Big Finish, wouldn’t you say?
13th July
In 1985, actor Rebecca Night was born. Rebecca played Romana in the Big Finish Doctor Who Unbound range. Big Finish released The Pursuit of History featuring the Fourth Doctor, Lalla Ward as Romana II, and our favourite robot dog, K9. in 2016, followed by Flashpoint in 2017 and Seabird One in 2022.
14th July
In 2011, Doctor Who fans were introduced to The New World, an exciting episode that started the fourth series of Torchwood, Miracle Day. Big Finish delighted listeners with the release of Tales from the Vault in the same year, offering captivating audio tales.
15th July
In 1963, actor Miles Richardson was born, known for his role as Irving Braxiatel, the Doctor’s brother, in Big Finish. On the topic of Big Finish, in 2010, they released, The Guardian of the Solar System, Situation Vacant, and Cobwebs. A year later, Big Finish released Robophobia to its avid listeners. The Final Phase was released in 2013.
16th July
In 1966, Doctor Who fans were happy since the fourth episode of The War Machines broadcast. Fast forward to 2011, and Big Finish treated fans to the exciting release of the Lost Stories audio adventure, Earth Aid. Then, in 2017, viewers of the Wimbledon Men’s Final had a special treat as they were introduced to the highly anticipated Meet the Thirteenth Doctor segment.
This exciting preview unveiled Jodie Whittaker as the first female incarnation of the Doctor, setting the stage for a new era in the beloved series. The introduction of the Thirteenth Doctor brought a wave of excitement and anticipation among fans, marking a significant moment in Doctor Who history.
Doctor Who History: Conclusion For This Fortnight
All, in all, this fortnight has been quite an eventful one in Who-istory, or Doctor Who history, if you prefer to put it that way. This fortnight was full of heartbreaking moments and heartwarming moments, from Journey’s End reuniting everyone from New Who, and also, Sarah Jane Smith, to the death of Ianto Jones, and Rose being in a parallel world. Another significant event included the introduction of the Thirteenth Doctor in “Meet the Thirteenth Doctor” during the 2017 Wimbledon Men’s Final. Oh, and lastly, we had our Sarah Jane return School Reunion. Rest in peace, Lis.
I’ll be back in a fortnight to tell you more Doctor Who history… With many thanks to the work of the esteemed editors at Tardis Wiki – their work has been particularly integral to our fact-checking of Big Finish release dates.
Doctor Who will air in November 2023 with three special episodes as the show’s 60th Anniversary headliner event. David Tennant returns as the 14th Doctor alongside Catherine Tate as Donna Noble. Ncuti Gatwa’s first episode as the Fifteenth Doctor will air over the festive period, while his series 14 will debut in 2024 with Millie Gibson. Disney+ will be the exclusive home for new seasons of Doctor Who outside of the UK and Ireland.
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