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BBC Books to publish four Target Doctor Who novels featuring the Fifteenth Doctor

BBC Books to publish four Target Doctor Who novels featuring the Fifteenth Doctor

‘Space Babies’, ’73 Yards’, ‘Rogue’ and ‘The Church on Ruby Road’ will publish on 8th August in paperback and audiobook.


Space Babies

BY ALISON RUMFITT

Target - Space Babies

In space, something can hear you scream. And that something is coming. 

On her first adventure in outer space, Ruby learns that the universe is bigger, more colourful, and crazier than she could ever have imagined. She also learns that even the Doctor can feel afraid – and that certain nightmares are all too real…

A new voice to Doctor Who fiction, Alison Rumfitt, presents the Target novelisation of Russell T Davies’ first space adventure for the Fifteenth Doctor and Ruby Sunday.

Alison Rumfitt is a writer and cultural critic. Her two horror novels TELL ME I’M WORTHLESS and BRAINWYRMS push the boundaries of both taste and form to the shock of readers everywhere. She has written for LITTLE WHITE LIES and DAZED, and interviewed the new Doctor Ncuti Gatwa for ROLLING STONE. She’s considered herself a fan of Doctor Who ever since her father played her the theme song to scare her when she was about five years old.

You can pre-order SPACE BABIES on paperback and audio here


73 Yards

BY SCOTT HANDCOCK

Target - 73 Yards

How long is 73 yards? Haunted by a sinister presence, Ruby must cope with losing the Doctor and the life she once knew. With her new life without her best friend becoming bleaker by the day, something terrifying is unleashed, and it’s up to Ruby to stop it. 

This eerie episode from Russell T Davies is novelised by series script editor Scott Handcock. Scott is a writer, producer and director, best known for his work on a range of horror and science-fiction series from Big Finish Productions including DOCTOR WHOTORCHWOOD and THE CONFESSIONS OF DORIAN GRAY. Since 2006, he has lived in Cardiff, most recently working for Bad Wolf on the latest series of Doctor Who and its spin-off TALES OF THE TARDIS.

You can pre-order 73 YARDS on paperback and audio here


Rogue

BY KATE HERRON & BRIONY REDMAN

Target - Rogue

Doctor Who does Bridgerton with an alien twist in a sparky novelisation from original scriptwriters Kate Herron (LOKI/SEX EDUCATION) and Briony Redman.

Earth’s Regency era – a time of culture, extravagance, sumptuous balls… and aliens? While Ruby is a popular new addition to the Duchess of Pemberton’s ball, the Doctor’s world is about to be forever rocked by a dashing visitor from space. With many party-guests facing an identity crisis like no other, it is up to the Doctor and Ruby to stop the menacing Chuldurs’ plot.

Doctor Who presents a classic tale with an alien twist in a thrilling novelisation from the episode’s scriptwriters, Kate Herron and Briony Redman.

Briony Redman is a BAFTA Rocliffe-winning writer and comedian who works across film, television, theatre and comics. Briony met writing partner, Kate Herron, while doing short films and they bonded over a love of sci-fi and weird comedy. Briony is an experienced improviser who performs with Dungeons & Dragons comedy show, QUESTING TIME. This is their first book.

Kate Herron is a writer and filmmaker from London, working across film, television and comic books. She directed and exec-produced the entire first season of LOKI (Marvel and Disney Plus), directed the first season of SEX EDUCATION (Netflix), and is about to direct on THE LAST OF US (HBO). Kate has worked with her writing partner, Briony Redman for over a decade. Most recently they created a comic for Skybound entertainment company (THE WALKING DEAD), and both wrote together on Ncuti Gatwa’s first season of Doctor Who. This is her first book. 

You can pre-order ROGUE on paperback and audio here


The Church on Ruby Road

BY ESMIE JIKIEMI-PEARSON

Target - Ruby Road

Chance. Misfortune. Coincidence. These are the weapons of choice for the Doctor’s latest enemies. And those enemies are very, very hungry…

For Ruby Sunday, this Christmas Eve is a birthday she’ll never forget. It’s the day she joins the Doctor onboard a Goblin ship. The day she learns of dangers from beyond the universe. The day her life really begins… or, perhaps, the day it ends. 

The Target novelisation of the first full adventure featuring the Fifteenth Doctor, played by Ncuti Gatwa, and the introduction of his new best friend, Ruby Sunday played by Millie Gibson. Russell T Davies’ original script has been novelised by up-and-coming literary talent Esmie Jikiemi-Pearson.

Esmie Jikiemi-Pearson is a science-fantasy author and co-founder of the organisation Impact of Omission, as featured in the Guardian, Huffpost, and the Channel 4 Documentary WHERE’S MY HISTORY? with footballer and anti-racism campaigner Troy Deeney. Winner of the inaugural Gollancz and Rivers of London BAME SFF Award in 2020, now known as the Future Worlds Prize, her writing is invariably about Black people dismantling space empires, travelling through time, and saving the world – often simultaneously. 

You can pre-order THE CHURCH ON RUBY ROAD on paperback and audio here


SPACE BABIES73 YARDSROGUE and THE CHURCH ON RUBY ROAD will publish on 8th August in paperback and audiobook.

Doctor Who: The Church on Ruby Road Takes Silver on Christmas Day

Doctor Who: The Church on Ruby Road Takes Silver on Christmas Day

A lot has changed since official figures came in. #CallTheMidwife is now the most-watched on the 25th December as a HUGE 3.3m caught up in the week after. #DoctorWho rose to 2nd place with another huge addition! #Ghosts finalised with a great 6.62m!

Consolidated, The Church On Ruby Road has overtaken both The King and Strictly Come Dancing to become the 2nd most-watched programme on Christmas Day with 7,487,000. Call The Midwife, also broadcast on Christmas Day, was just ahead with 7.66m.

Overall, Doctor Who was the third most-watched title of the week (25th-31st December) across all channels and streamers – only behind the New Year’s Fireworks and Call The Midwife. Strictly Come Dancing Christmas Day special consolidated to 6,596,000 and The King with 6,746,000 on BBC One.

The official top ten for Christmas Day 2023 can be seen below.

A chart shows the top ten shows on Christmas Day according to their official audiences according to BARB. Their overnight audience is also shown.

BBC Books to publish novelisation of ‘The Church on Ruby Road’

BBC Books to publish novelisation of ‘The Church on Ruby Road’

The Church on Ruby Road

Long ago on Christmas Eve, a baby was abandoned in the snow. Today, Ruby Sunday meets the Doctor, stolen babies, goblins and perhaps the secret of her birth…

BBC Books have announced the Target novelisation of THE CHURCH ON RUBY ROAD, the first full adventure featuring the Fifteenth Doctor, played by Ncuti Gatwa, and the introduction of his new best friend, Ruby Sunday played by Millie Gibson. Russell T Davies’ original script has been novelised by up-and-coming literary talent Esmie Jikiemi-Pearson.

Little is known about Ruby Sunday as she was abandoned on Christmas Eve as a baby. Now living with her mum, Carla and grandmother, Cherry her world is about to be turned upside when she encounters the Doctor and the two set off on their first adventure together…


Esmie Jikiemi-Pearson is a science-fantasy author and co-founder of the organisation Impact of Omission, as featured in the Guardian, Huffpost, and the Channel 4 Documentary ‘Where’s My History?’ with footballer and anti-racism campaigner Troy Deeney. 

Winner of the inaugural Gollancz and Rivers of London BAME SFF Award in 2020, now known as the Future Worlds Prize, her writing is invariably about Black people dismantling space empires, travelling through time, and saving the world – often simultaneously.


THE CHURCH ON RUBY ROAD by Esmie Jikiemi-Pearson is out in hardback on 25th January 2024.

It is available to pre-order here

Doctor Who turns the London Eye blue for world premiere

Doctor Who turns the London Eye blue for world premiere

To mark the highly anticipated arrival of the Christmas special of Doctor Who, the Fifteenth Doctor Ncuti Gatwa and Millie Gibson, who plays the Doctor’s latest companion Ruby Sunday, turned the lastminute.com London Eye blue.

Accompanied by Radio One Presenter Yinke Bokinni, the stars set off a bespoke light display before attending the world premiere of the Christmas special at the prestigious British Film Institute alongside Showrunner Russell T Davies and celebrity guests.

The custom Doctor Who inspired light display at the London Eye replicated the blues, purples and golds of the time Vortex – the dimensional plane where the TARDIS travels through time and space. The TARDIS itself also made a cameo appearance to the delight of fans.

The activation is part of Doctor’s Who’s takeover of London’s South Bank, as fans can also visit a bespoke 180-degree interactive sculpture, showcasing David Tennant’s fourteenth Doctor, seamlessly regenerating into the Fifteenth Doctor, Ncuti Gatwa.

Joel Collins, Executive Producer at Bad Wolf said,

“We are delighted to share the first full adventure with this new exciting Tardis team- the phenomenal Ncuti Gatwa and Millie Gibson. This special has all the beauty and scale synonymous with a Russell T Davies script and a Bad Wolf production along with a sprinkle of Christmas magic – lighting up both the screen and the London Eye!”

Sarah Bold, Head of Scripted at BBC Studios said,

“What an incredible way to celebrate Doctor Who’s 60th year and the launch of our brand new Doctor Ncuti Gatwa and companion Millie Gibson. Lighting up an iconic British landmark with an iconic British brand.”

Doctor Who’s Christmas special, The Church on Ruby Road, airs December 25th at 5.55pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer, and streams on Disney+ globally outside of the UK and Ireland.

The Goblins are coming for Christmas!

The Goblins are coming for Christmas!

Here’s Our First Look at The Church on Ruby Road, the Doctor Who Christmas Special 2023

The Goblins are coming for Christmas! 🧌🎄 Listen to THE GOBLIN SONG from ‘The Church on Ruby Road’ – available to stream now!


‘The Goblin Song’


Doctor Who returns to screens on Christmas Day and, to celebrate, a fiendishly catchy song from the festive special is being released as a single, ahead of the big event.

‘The Goblin Song’ is an original composition created specifically for the Fifteenth Doctor’s festive debut by composer Murray Gold and writer Russell T Davies.

The single’s music video shares exclusive content from the eagerly awaited special as Fifteenth Doctor Ncuti Gatwa takes his first adventure through time and space in the TARDIS.


“I don’t like these goblins and you won’t either but they have agreed to donate everything from their song to BBC Children in Need so let’s not give up on them” – Murray Gold


Doctor Who Christmas special time slot confirmed by BBC

Doctor Who Christmas special time slot confirmed by BBC

Millie Gibson as Ruby and Ncuti Gatwa and The Doctor looking at one another in the Doctor Who Christmas special.

The Doctor Who Christmas special is almost here, and now we’ve officially got a time – so start getting prepared!

The special, titled The Church on Ruby Road, will air from 5:55pm on Christmas Day.

Ncuti Gatwa will make his first full episode appearance as the Fifteenth Doctor, and will be joined by Millie Gibson as Ruby Sunday, with the pair encountering “mythical and mysterious goblins”.

As the episode title suggests, the special will also delve into Ruby’s backstory, after she was abandoned as a baby on Christmas Eve.

Now living with her mum, Carla, and grandmother, Cherry, her world is about to be turned upside when she encounters the Doctor, and the two set off on their first adventure together.

Ncuti Gatwa as the Doctor in Doctor Who wearing a brown leather jacket

Another exciting announcement involved the casting of Davina McCall as herself, and we can’t wait to see what she’s set to bring to the episode.

Michelle Greenidge will join the cast as Ruby’s mum Carla, Angela Wynter as Ruby’s grandmother Cherry and Anita Dobson as Mrs Flood.

Doctor Who showrunner Russell T Davies said:

“From day one in this job, I wanted Doctor Who back on Christmas Day. And with Ncuti, Millie, Davina and the Goblin King, I hope it’s a feast for all the family!”

The last Doctor Who episode to air on Christmas Day was 2017’s Twice Upon a Time, the final outing for Peter Capaldi’s Twelfth Doctor.

The Church on Ruby Road will air on Christmas Day at 5:55pm. 

(With thanks to Radio Times)

The Doctor lands on Christmas Day in The Church on Ruby Road

The Doctor lands on Christmas Day in The Church on Ruby Road

BBC Studios

Long ago on Christmas Eve, a baby was abandoned in the snow. Today, Ruby Sunday meets the Doctor, stolen babies, goblins and perhaps the secret of her birth…

Christmas has come early as brand new images are released from the Doctor Who Christmas special – The Church on Ruby Road. As the Fifteenth Doctor, played by Ncuti Gatwa, takes over the TARDIS for his first epic adventure he will be joined by Ruby Sunday, played by Millie Gibson, as she makes her debut as the Doctor’s companion.

Airing on BBC One and BBC iPlayer, the episode sees the Doctor come face-to-face with the mythical and mysterious goblins as his life collides with Ruby Sunday, played by Millie Gibson.

BBC Studios
BBC Studios

Little is known about Ruby Sunday as she was abandoned on Christmas Eve as a baby. Now living with her mum, Carla and grandmother, Cherry her world is about to be turned upside when she encounters the Doctor and the two set off on their first adventure together…

Alongside Ncuti Gatwa and Millie Gibson is Davina McCall who will be playing herself as she joins the cast alongside Michelle Greenidge as Ruby’s mum Carla, Angela Wynter as Ruby’s grandmother Cherry and Anita Dobson as Mrs Flood.

BBC Studios

Davina says:

“It is beyond an honour to be asked to appear in not only Doctor Who but also Ncuti’s first episode as the new Doctor. It was such an extraordinary experience and Russell has written you all a Christmas delight! Now I just can’t wait for everyone to see it!”

Russell T Davies, Showrunner adds:

“From Day One in this job, I wanted Doctor Who back on Christmas Day! And with Ncuti, Millie, Davina and the Goblin King, I hope it’s a feast for all the family!”

BBC Studios

Doctor Who returns on Saturday 2 December at 6.30pm on BBC One and iPlayer with Special Two: Wild Blue Yonder featuring David Tennant as the Fourteenth Doctor and Catherine Tate as Donna Noble.