We already knew that Big Finish were bringing two iconic Doctor Who comic strip stories to life as audio plays – and now some exciting new details about these releases have emerged.

Rhianne Starbuck will play Sharon, companion to the fourth Doctor (Tom Baker) in Doctor Who: The Comic Strip Adaptations, set for release in March 2019.

Originally introduced back in 1980 in the comic story ‘The Star Beast’, the character of Sharon was officially Doctor Who‘s first ever non-white companion – it’d be several decades before the television series would follow suit and cast a person of colour in that role.

“She’s kind of my dream character [because] she’s very similar to my life story,” said actress Starbuck, who’s lending her voice to the character.

“[Like Sharon,] I never had a father figure growing up. She’s Northern, she’s mixed race, just like myself. And a really fun character to play!”

Alongside meeting Sharon in ‘The Star Beast’, The Comic Strip Adaptations will find the Doctor encountering the Iron Legion, an army of robotic Roman legionnaires, and one of the deadliest and most adorable villains ever – Beep the Meep!

These audio adventures are adapted from the comic strips by Pat Mills and Dave Gibbons that originally featured in Doctor Who Magazine (back when it was named Doctor Who Weekly).

Doctor Who: The Comic Strip Adaptations will be released as a 5-disc CD box set for £23 or on download at £20 from bigfinish.com.