Dr Who I’m saving the universe – from Totterdown
BRISTOL actor Joe Sims has been busy ‘saving the universe from Totterdown’ for a new Dr Who audio series.
Joe has spent lockdown recording from a studio set up in his bedroom in the city for nine episodes of the series Dalek Universe.
The series, by Big Finish Productions in association with BBC Studios, sees the return of tenth Doctor David Tennant taking on the Daleks once more.
It sees the Doctor pulled out of time and sent back to the era before the last great Time War where he finds himself battling for survival.
Joe plays Mark Seven, an android with a mysterious history.
The character featured in Dr Who in the 1960s, but has been revived for the audio production.
“It’s been wonderful to be swashbuckling through space and time from my bedroom,” laughed Joe.
“In fact I’ve been busy saving the universe right here from Totterdown.”
Mark Seven works for the SSS - the Space Security Service.
“It’s the first time I’ve played an android,” said Joe.
“I’m a huge Doctor Who fan and it’s been so exciting to be involved in this.
“A lot of work had been cancelled due to lockdown so I started to concentrate on audio work.
“As a result I turned one of my bedrooms at home into a studio which involved wrapping my head around all sorts of new technology.”
This is not the first time Joe has worked with David Tennant.
He appeared alongside him in the award-winning drama Broadchurch when he played ‘Nasty Nigel’ the plumber.
“Coming together and working with David again has been brilliant,” said Joe.
“Who would have thought I would have spent lockdown running around my bedroom fighting daleks and flying around in spaceships.
“It’s not how I spend my average days.
“My neighbours must think I am an absolute nutter as I have been running around my bedroom screaming and shouting and getting very excited.
“I think science fiction has been needing a Bristolian hero for some time.
“And this series has most certainly put Bristol back on the sci fi map.”
Anya Kingdom (Jane Salvin), who appeared alongside Tom Baker’s Doctor, will also make an appearance in the audio series.
David Tennant said the new series reminded him of Flash Gordon which he used to watch as a child.
He said: “It reminds me a little bit of those Flash Gordon serials that used to be on the TV during the school holidays when I was a kid.
“Each story has its own self-contained world, but the whole thing has an over-arching momentum.”
The series will be preceded by a special prologue: The Dalek Protocol, a four-part Doctor Who adventure set on the planet Doctor Who fans worldwide can now pre-order all three volumes of Dalek Universe,which are available in three formats - collector’s edition CD, digital download or limited edition gatefold triple LP vinyl.