Big Finish Recasting More Characters

[StCoop]

This time the Brigadier and Liz Shaw.

https://www.bigfinish.com/news/v/third-doctor-jo-grant-and-liz-shaw-return

Given the average age of the Original Series cast it won't be long before they have more fakes than real people.

 

[The Nth Doctor]

I'm still not keen on the idea of recasting any of the roles portrayed by deceased actors, but I understand the appeal for some people. At least in this case, the recasting includes Caroline John's daughter as well as Jon Culshaw who has done numerous performances of Doctor Who characters. I haven't heard The Five Doctors audiobook so I don't how good his Brigadier is.

At the end of the day, there are many serials and audio plays with these characters and having them recast now doesn't take away from those performances. Besides, I'm quite behind on my Big Finish listening, so there are plenty of stories with no recasting and doesn't really affect my intake.

 

[StCoop]

I'm still not keen on the idea of recasting any of the roles portrayed by deceased actors, but I understand the appeal for some people. At least in this case, the recasting includes Caroline John's daughter as well as Jon Culshaw who has done numerous performances of Doctor Who characters. I haven't heard The Five Doctors audiobook so I don't how good his Brigadier is.

There's a clip in the link. It wavers between very good and obviously being Culshaw. No doubt he'll be in the wings to replace Tom when he goes. Though, apparently they have years of stories with him already recorded.

 

[The Nth Doctor]

Oh, right, I noticed the clip and completely forgot to listen to it.

Culshaw's Brig is pretty good and I found the Culshaw-y aspect less distract than Treloar's Third Doctor which still doesn't sound right. Doesn't have the right amount gravel in the intones (hell, Manning's is better in that regard).

And yeah, now that Culshaw is working with Big Finish more regularly, he'll undoubtedly take over as The Forth Doctor some time down the line after Tom Baker has left this mortal coil (but hopefully not any time soon!).

 

[Emperor-Tiberius]

I dunno... I'm all for recasting, but also to use those recasted appearances very sparingly. Like for a story that simply has to be told, like the Third Doctor taking Liz Shaw in her first trip with the TARDIS, or the Tenth Doctor taking the Brigadier for his last trip with the TARDIS, or something like that. I would love that kind uniqueness in the storytelling opportunities.

 

[BritishSeaPower]

I've gone back and forth on it. I feel like something like the David Bradley adventures is fine. But I don't like recasting the eras. I kinda wish they'd "close down" the eras when all the actors have passed. Now, using a sound-a-like for the Companion Chronicles-style stories? I'm less upset with. And Nick Briggs does a great Eccleston.

As Tiberius says above, a one-offf Three-Brig-Liz story for the upcoming 50th? Sure, absolutely. But regular adventures? Less interested.

 

[The Wormhole]

I don't know, it's a double-edged sword. While, yes, I can understand the arguments against recasting, the simple truth is the classic era Doctors are Big Finish's thing, and we are at a point where many of them are gone and the ones still around probably have fewer days ahead than behind. If there is a good story to be told and the only thing preventing that is the actors being dead, then what the hell, go ahead and recast. A good story shouldn't be denied because the ones who originally played the roles aren't around anymore.

 

[Marc]

I've gone back and forth on it. I feel like something like the David Bradley adventures is fine. But I don't like recasting the eras. I kinda wish they'd "close down" the eras when all the actors have passed. Now, using a sound-a-like for the Companion Chronicles-style stories? I'm less upset with. And Nick Briggs does a great Eccleston.

As Tiberius says above, a one-offf Three-Brig-Liz story for the upcoming 50th? Sure, absolutely. But regular adventures? Less interested.

What about the Early Adventures for example where they have Frazer Hines doing double duty as both Jamie and the 2nd Doctor?

 

[BritishSeaPower]

I very much liked when Frazer Hines did Two. He was very good at it. Same with William Russell and One. There is a part of me that wishes they would get David Troughton and Sean Pertwee to voice their fathers. Treloar is... fine? I just think we're going to get into the weeds on the companions.

For example, the "Adventures in Time and Space" crew - all very well cast - doing audios is fine. Dragging out the Ben and Polly actors from "Twice Upon A Time" who barely did anything - and a somewhat tepid job at that - is less good.

It's ultimately complicated. Granted, I admit it's a somewhat tenuous line. But, for example, I don't want a War Doctor sound alike at all. No need for that. (And it seems any plans for more have shifted over to the War Master)

 

[The Nth Doctor]

This might be a little hypocritical on my part, but I have no problem with Russell and Purves performing The First Doctor and Hines performing The Second Doctor in the Companion Chronicles because of the narrative structure. The Early Adventures is only a small extension from the Companion Chronicles so I don't mind them there either. It helps that all three of them are uncanny as Hartnell and Troughton, which is a neat trick considering Russell's and Purves' takes are different. While it's different, I actually quite enjoy Manning's performance as Pertwee in the same scenario because she wonderfully achieves that gruff but charming gravitas that defines Pertwee.

But outside of those confines, the line becomes more blurred for me. Without that narrator bridge, I find it harder to take, but that's just me personally.

 

[Emperor-Tiberius]

I never really cared for the Companion Chronicles or the Early Adventures, save for select exceptions. I'm just not a big fan of the format.

 

[Mr Awe]

What about the Early Adventures for example where they have Frazer Hines doing double duty as both Jamie and the 2nd Doctor?

I've seen Frazier do Troughton in person and it's a sight to behold. And, he's doing it with the utmost love and respect for Troughton.

 

[Mr. Laser Beam]

There is a part of me that wishes they would get David Troughton and Sean Pertwee to voice their fathers.

Sean has already said he wouldn't do that, hasn't he?

 

[The Nth Doctor]

Sean has already said he wouldn't do that, hasn't he?

Yes, he has on several occasions.

 

[Turtletrekker]

There is a voice actor with a YouTube channel who did his own Second Doctor fan audio dramas whose impersonation of Patrick Troughton was absolutely uncanny. if Frazer Hines should ever step away from the roll, Big Finish could do a lot worse.

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[FrobisherthePenguin]

How long before they recast Liz Sladen, guys?

 

[The Wormhole]

How long before they recast Liz Sladen, guys?

Whenever they come up with a story that requires it, I guess.

 

[BritishSeaPower]

With the exception of this Brig recasting, I can't think of a recasting of someone they've worked with after they've passed. I feel like that's going to be the big thing going forward: hesitancy (but not refusal) to recast Big Finish alumni.

 

[Kibbin]

the simple truth is the classic era Doctors are Big Finish's thing.

Is that still true? I know that the majority of what's coming out is classic who but they've picked up a lot of new who and they seem to love using it. River Song has a series, they're exploring the time war between McGann and Jacobi. They've invented a new Master, got Tennant on board. I think the only reason they don't have Capaldi yet is that he wants a bit of a break from Who but will be there within five years. Smith is stepping up to acting with some movies but I wouldn't be surprised to see him not too long afterwards.
I think they'll recast Tom B because he's the biggest Doctor ever but I wouldn't be surprised if for everyone and everything else they just move the timeline up with each passing keeping us always one or two regens behind the t.v but within living range for the old stuff.

 

[Nightowl1701]

IF they recast Tom, they’ll likely stick to the Sarah/Harry era with recasts of both. The rest of Four’s life has been pretty well padded out at this point, but with the new cast and that little UNIT dating controversy, you can potentially squeeze up to six years worth of new Hinchcliffe style stories out. And provide a definite final ‘Four says goodbye to UNIT’ story.