Artist Rafe Wallbank is over the moon at being commissioned to create the artwork for the upcoming Big Finish Productions new Thirteenth Doctor series, launching in July, featuring the debut of Jodie Whittaker in the company’s long-running tie-in audio adventures.
“This project features creature design and compositing, grading and retouching of supplied BBC photo assets,” he noted on social media, “and working creatively within a predesigned layout – whilst adding my own embellishments!”
Rafe – the son of another brilliant artist, Pete Wallbank, who has his own much celebrated Doctor Who connections – has been creating digital artwork since 2020, and since then he’s had the opportunity to work on official BBC Doctor Who audio drama releases, amongst other iconic franchises, including James Bond, Mission: Impossible and Star Wars.
Big Finish recently revealed story details are revealed today for The Thirteenth Doctor Adventures: Vampire Weekend, the first full-cast audio drama starring Jodie Whittaker and Mandip Gill, due July 2025.
Jodie Whittaker makes her Big Finish debut as the Thirteenth Doctor, alongside Mandip Gill as her companion Yasmin Khan, in Vampire Weekend, a brand-new full-cast audio adventure written by Tim Foley.
“I’m over the moon to be joining Big Finish for more adventures in the TARDIS,” says Jodie Whittaker. “Recording the Thirteenth Doctor and Yaz is a really lovely thing to revisit.
“One of the things Mandip and I used to love on Doctor Who was getting in, doing a new episode and meeting a brand-new cast. I just can’t wait to step back into the boots, pull on the coat and get cracking. One thing’s for sure, it’s going to be brilliant.”
Mandip Gill added: “Doctor Who has been a huge part of my career and personal life and I am looking forward to seeing how I can further enrich my character through this exhilarating series. To be able to work with Jodie again is a dream come true, we have such a special friendship, I’m sure the recordings will be filled with laughter.”
Yaz has been busy travelling in time and space so is overdue a good catch-up with her friends back in Sheffield, and Gina’s hen do should be the perfect opportunity. The first problem is: the Doctor’s tagging along. The second problem is the vampire. Here’s the story synopsis…
It’s Gina’s hen-do and her Maid of Honour has booked a large manor in the Peak District. All her friends should be here – including Yasmin Khan, who’s been mysteriously quiet whilst away on her travels.
But Yaz is bringing a guest. Someone who isn’t invited. Someone who might prove a little disruptive.
The Doctor is joining the celebrations. Unfortunately, so is an ancient enemy…
Alongside Whittaker and Gill, The Thirteenth Doctor Adventures: Vampire Weekend stars Daniel Walford as Daryl, Anna Crichlow as Zoya and Kat, Jeremy Ang Jones as Mason, and Mandi Symonds as Gina’s mum.
Writer Tim Foley said: “I’m delighted to sink my teeth into a whole new era (vampire pun). We had a riot making this story – Jodie and Mandip could star in a sitcom as themselves, they’re so funny, and their chemistry is amazing.
“Vampire Weekend is a darkly comic manor-house mystery – think Bodies Bodies Bodies or a northern Cluedo, smushed with a hen party you’re trying to get out of. I hope this tale captures the Thirteenth Doctor’s madcap, fast-paced energy – right before she’s launched into a brand-new series like a technicolour pinball. Enjoy the jokes, the mini quiche, and the paranoia. But watch out! There’s a mysterious bloodsucker on the loose…”
Vampire Weekend is the first of twelve full-cast audio drama adventures for the Thirteenth Doctor and Yaz, set to release bimonthly from July.
25 Years of Doctor Who at Big Finish
“This year Big Finish is celebrating its 25th anniversary of producing full-cast Doctor Who audio drama,” notes Big Finish chairman of the company and co-executive producer Jason Haigh-Ellery. “So, when we were granted the licence to create new stories set during the Thirteenth Doctor’s era, we immediately set to work.
“I am delighted that the inimitable Jodie and Mandip have decided to return to their roles with us and I’m excited to welcome them to Big Finish. Alongside our two other forthcoming series for the Fugitive Doctor (played by Jo Martin) and The Master (played by Sacha Dhawan), 2025 has never looked brighter for the Thirteenth Doctor and her fam.”
Big Finish and Creative Director Nicholas Briggs added: “Jodie and Mandip were so welcoming to me when I worked on set with them in the TV show, so I’m looking forward to repaying the compliment. They’re lovely people and they’re full of enthusiasm for this project.
Doctor Who – The Thirteenth Doctor Adventures: Vampire Weekend is now available to pre-order for just £9.99 (as a digital download to own) or £11.99 (download to own + collector’s edition single-disc CD), exclusively here.
The collector’s edition CD is strictly limited to 1500 copies and will not be repressed
Big Finish listeners can save money by pre-ordering all twelve releases in a multibuy bundle from just £102 (digital download to own) or £126 (download to own + collector’s edition CD), exclusively from the Big Finish website.
All the above prices (including pre-order and multibuy bundle discounts) are fixed for a limited time only and guaranteed no later than 30th September 2025.
Please note that Big Finish is currently operating a digital-first release schedule. The mail-out of collector’s edition CDs may be delayed due to factors beyond our control, but all purchases of this release unlock a digital copy that can be immediately downloaded or played on the Big Finish app from the release date.
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John is the founder of downthetubes, launched in 1998. He is a comics and magazine editor, writer, and Press Officer for the Lakes International Comic Art Festival. He also runs Crucible Comic Press.
Working in British comics publishing since the 1980s, his credits include editor of titles such as Doctor Who Magazine and Overkill for Marvel UK, Babylon 5 Magazine, Star Trek Magazine, and its successor, Star Trek Explorer, and more. He also edited the comics anthology STRIP Magazine and edited several audio comics for ROK Comics; and has edited several comic collections and graphic novels, including volumes of “Charley’s War” and “Dan Dare”, and Hancock: The Lad Himself, by Stephen Walsh and Keith Page.
He’s the writer of comics such as Pilgrim: Secrets and Lies for B7 Comics; “Crucible”, a creator-owned project with 2000AD artist Smuzz; and “Death Duty” and “Skow Dogs”, with Dave Hailwood.
Categories: Art and Illustration, Audio, Digital Media, Doctor Who, downthetubes News, Other Worlds
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