Mags returns with the Seventh Doctor for Big Finish
Thursday, 22 November 2018 - Reported by Marcus
Jessica Martin / Sylvester McCoy (Credit: Big Finish)
Seventh Doctor Sylvester McCoy is joined by Jessica Martin reprising her role of Mags for a new series of audio adventures from Big Finish.
In this trilogy of tales the punk werewolf circus performer, first seen in 1988’s Doctor Who story The Greatest Show in the Galaxy, joins the Seventh Doctor to embark on a positively gothic series of adventures. They’ll encounter werewolves, vampiric creatures and angry mobs of villagers, ticking every hammer-horror convention with a Doctor Who twist.
The Monsters of Gokroth by Matt Fitton will be released in April 2019. An Alien Werewolf in London by Alan Barnes will be released in May 2019, and The Moons of Vulpana by Emma Reeves will follow in June 2019.
Jessica Martin, actress, singer, impressionist and illustrator, who plays Mags, talked about returning to the role on audio:
It’s wonderful. I can’t quite believe it, I have to retrospectively thank John Nathan-Turner and Steven Wyatt who wrote The Greatest Show in the Galaxy, which spawned so many wonderful characters. It’s great to be back all these years later.
In today’s society we’re always talking about people who are outsiders, people who suffer with the darkness within… it’s something that everyone can relate to. The wonderful thing about these new stories is that they truly expand the character of Mags.
Jessica Martin has not only returned to the character for these audio adventures, but also has illustrated new comic adventures for Mags, in a new story from Titan Comics, Hill of Beans, written by Richard Dinnick. In today’s society we’re always talking about people who are outsiders, people who suffer with the darkness within… it’s something that everyone can relate to. The wonderful thing about these new stories is that they truly expand the character of Mags.
Script-editor and writer of many of the Doctor Who audio adventures created by Big Finish, Alan Barnes, told us about bringing back Mags as a fully-fledged companion
When we first met Mags the werewolf in The Greatest Show in the Galaxy, she was the travelling companion of another space adventurer, the Captain. She was such an engaging character that it seemed unfair that she didn't go off with the Doctor in the TARDIS at the end, which would have been so 'right', dramatically speaking. It would have opened up some really interesting story possibilities, too: how would it work, having someone who might turn into a savage beast as a companion?
So reuniting Mags with the Doctor was on my 'to do' list for years and years, and I was determined to make it happen before I stopped being script editor of the Main Range. And thankfully, the stars aligned!
Director, Samuel Clemens (making his directorial debut in these releases), tells us more about the storiesSo reuniting Mags with the Doctor was on my 'to do' list for years and years, and I was determined to make it happen before I stopped being script editor of the Main Range. And thankfully, the stars aligned!
Each episode is very unique and shines a light on a different horror genre, from werewolves to monsters to vampires! They have all been very different and a real challenge but very exciting to record because the writing is so good.
Jessica stepped straight back into the role she made so memorable thirty years before. She is such great fun and brings a real ease and lightness to the role but underpins it with a darkness that lurks beneath.
Sylvester is always the consummate professional and incredibly fun to be around. He always has lovely little ideas that he slips into the role and his delivery is so unique, playful and beguiling. He always surprises you. Putting the Doctor and Mags back together has been very special and these three adventures explore some universally interesting themes, whilst being fun, dark and ultimately a thrilling ride to go on.
These three Doctor Who Main Range adventures will be available at £14.99 on CD or £12.99 on download on their release in April, May and June 2019, all available from bigfinish.com. All CD purchases unlock a download option via the Big Finish app and the Big Finish website. Jessica stepped straight back into the role she made so memorable thirty years before. She is such great fun and brings a real ease and lightness to the role but underpins it with a darkness that lurks beneath.
Sylvester is always the consummate professional and incredibly fun to be around. He always has lovely little ideas that he slips into the role and his delivery is so unique, playful and beguiling. He always surprises you. Putting the Doctor and Mags back together has been very special and these three adventures explore some universally interesting themes, whilst being fun, dark and ultimately a thrilling ride to go on.