Doctor Who - Series 9 Character Returns/Torchwood Comes To Big Finish

With filming for the third block now completed for the upcoming ninth series of Doctor Who, production for the fourth block - comprising of episodes 7 and 8 has now begun and there's some familiar faces to expect in it.

With UNIT already appearing in the opening two parter opener, The Magician's Apprentice/The Witch's Familiar, it's been confirmed that not only will Jemma Redgrave and Jaye Griffiths also appear in this current block, but they're also going to be joined by Ingrid Oliver, reprising her role as the maybe not dead Osgood. Last seen being killed by Missy in the previous series finale, Death In Heaven, executive producer Steven Moffat had this to say about the character's return ....

“Osgood is back, fresh from her recent murder at the end of last series. We recently confirmed that Osgood was definitely dead and not returning - but in a show about time travel, anything can happen. The brilliant Ingrid Oliver is back in action. This time though, can the Doctor trust his number one fan?”

Much as I liked Osgood in her previous two appearances, I am a little surprised that she's returning for this story. Now it could turn out that Missy might have killed a Zygon posing as her last year (which leads to another thing in a moment) or that the 'Osgood' we see in this story for whatever purposes actually is a Zygon. Which leads to the next return.

And they're back. Last seen in The Day Of The Doctor, along with UNIT and Osgood (is she dead/isn't she dead?), the Zygons will also be appearing in this two part story, which has been confirmed to be written by Peter Harness (Kill The Moon) and directed by Daniel Nettheim (Glue, Line Of Duty). The two part story will also feature Cleopatra Dickens, Sasha Dickens, Abhishek Singh, Todd Kramer, Jill Winternitz, Nicholas Asbury, Jack Parker and Aidan Cook.

Meanwhile for Torchwood fans - great news, it's coming back - in audio form, that is. Big Finish have roped in John Barrowman to record six new adventures. The new series of audio dramas will each focus on different members of the Torchwood team, exploring the impact that a mysterious event has on them. This kicks off with The Conspiracy by David Llewellyn, which is released September 2015. The remaining five will be released in 2016. Still with this series getting a licence for the popular audio company and an upcoming Kate Stewart series, I wouldn't be surprised if we do get that tiny bit closer to Doctors from 2005 onwards materialing on audio within the near future.

Series 9 Press Release: http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/doctorwho/entries/6fec5341-a0c9-439e-9c75-34e0cae1af56
Torchwood Press Release: http://www.bigfinish.com/news/v/torchwood

Series 9 of Doctor Who continues filming and will air on BBC1 and BBCAmerica from Autumn 2015.