The audio drama miniseries Rutans vs Sontarans, which tracks the history of the two warring races from the universe of Doctor Who, continues today with its third instalment, Grave Moon by Lizzie Hopley. 

This time, the Sixth Doctor (Colin Baker) and Peri (Nicola Bryant) take centre stage. The time-travelling duo previously encountered the Sontarans in 1985 TV story The Two Doctors, and once again, there’s another Time Lord on the scene – the Eighth Doctor (Paul McGann), who’s putting his own plan into motion. 

On a remote moon, the Doctors and Peri discover Melmoth, the Rutan cut off from the rest of their species, has forged an unlikely emotional bond with a local pond farmer, Ooland. But this is no simple love story, and the warring forces of the Rutans and Sontarans are never far away… 

Doctor Who – Rutans vs Sontarans: Grave Moon is now available to purchase for just £9.99 (as a digital download to own) or £14.99 (download + collector’s edition CD), exclusively here. Please note: the collector’s edition CD is strictly limited to 1,500 copies and will not be re-pressed. 

The Doctor and Peri track a criminal imposter to a moon sanctuary of healing ponds, only to discover the lone Rutan the Doctor has previously met trapped in a self-made web of lies. 

Experiments to rejoin the Host have forged a bond with grieving pond farmer, Ooland. As their mutual obsession tightens, so Ooland’s ponds grow more polluted and their farm cut off from what is really happening on the moon: a full-on Rutan invasion.  

As the Doctor and Peri strive to free Melmoth and Ooland from each other, another Doctor is at work close by – with far-reaching plans of his own for the lone Rutan. 

The story’s guest cast includes Abi Harris as Melmoth, John Banks as Yarrin and Sontarans, Rachel Bavidge as Ooland and Rutan Leader, and Vineeta Rishi as Inspector and Rutan Computer. 

Writer Lizzie Hopley said: “I chose to use the Sixth Doctor and Peri in this story, because I’ve always adored the energy of those two. Nicola and Colin have always had such an amazing humour, and a unique ability to slide from this humour into serious change. I thought it would be great to pitch that energy against a messed-up love story. 

“It’s basically impossible for a Rutan to fall in love, so I thought, well, let’s do that then. I wanted us to care about this lone Rutan, and I wanted to create a tragedy, because if you invest in characters and you believe they care for one another, even for selfish reasons, then you can create terrible tragedy, and I wanted to have our Eighth and Sixth Doctors and Peri really experience that.” 

Lead actor Colin Baker added: “I was rather captivated by the Romeo and Juliet story, the two warring factions who have not exactly a romantic relationship, but a relationship of affection, love, understanding. And I think that’s rather sweet and rather tragic, and it really appealed to me.” 

Praise for the previous Rutans vs Sontarans instalment, Rendition: 

“One of the best audios Big Finish have produced all year.”
Doctor Who Magazine 

“Tim Foley’s script is a terrific spin on a base-under-siege (in space).”
CultBox 

“A poignant continuation of this arc.”
Sci-Fi Pulse 

Rutans vs Sontarans will conclude in July with Peace at Last, starring Paul McGann as the Eighth Doctor alongside India Fisher as Charley and Conrad Westmaas as C’rizz. 

The complete Doctor Who - Rutans vs Sontarans series bundle is now available to pre-order for just £32 (as digital downloads to own) or £52 (downloads + collector’s edition CDs), exclusively here.

All the above prices (including pre-order and multibuy bundle discounts) are fixed for a limited time only and guaranteed no later than 31 July 2026. 

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.