Sci-Fi Bulletin: Exploring the Universes of SF, Fantasy, Horror and Spy-fi!

New adventures await the First, Fifth Doctor and Sixth Doctor in series 10 of the Doctor Who Short Trips range – a series of short stories narrated by an original cast member, coming in 2020.

Out of the Deep by John Pritchard 

Drawn to Mesopotamia in the 1850s by an unknown signal, the Doctor and Steven cross paths with an archaeological expedition looking for one of the world’s first cities, Eridu. Darkness sits at the heart of Eridu, an ancient evil that is stirring.  Some things are buried for a reason.  

Downward Spiral by Alan Flanagan  

Travelling through space on your own can be lonely. It’s why Siobhan Matthews’ ship has been installed with COMPANY, an AI that has stored personalities of Siobhan’s nearest and dearest. Someone to talk to when the silence is overwhelming.  Siobhan has other guests today, which is impressive considering she didn’t let them onboard. They’re called the Doctor and Nyssa, but they’ve arrived at the worst possible time. Siobhan’s ship is spiralling towards something in the dark, and it’s hungry. 

 These Stolen Hours by Grace Knight 

Charley knows all too well how precious memories can be. She remembers her travels with the Doctor, her Doctor. She remembers watching him die. A time disturbance leads the Doctor and Charley to a remote research station. Unable to form memories, the crew believe someone is doing their work while they sleep. The truth, however, is far more insidious.  

 Producer Alfie Shaw says of Downward Spiral:  “Downward Spiral sees the Doctor and Nyssa accidentally crashing into a spaceship run by an AI that has lots of different personalities. Sarah [Sutton] has an amazing vocal range and that’s brought front and centre in this tale. Watching her slip between accents was just a delight to behold and makes for a fantastic listen.”