Across the week, inspiring female actors, writers, directors, and producers offer interesting insight into their work and helpful advice for those beginning a similar career path.

The first interview of the series, with Big Finish’s Director of Operations, Hannah Peel, featured on the free Big Finish Podcast, which is available to listen to now here, and on many podcast streaming services.

Plus, four video interviews will also be available to watch for free, exclusively at the Big Finish YouTube channel, premiering from 06 to 10 March 2023. This series centres around the International Women’s Day release of The Eighth of March: Strange Chemistry – a Doctor Who audio special showcasing incredible female characters.

Appearing in the first video interview to discuss acting is Lisa Bowerman (who’s in her 25th year of playing the iconic Professor Bernice Summerfield at Big Finish) and the voice artist Tania Rodrigues (Cuckoo, Coronation Street, EastEnders).

In the following interview, Lizzie Hopley and Lisa McMullin discuss the joys of writing for their favourite Doctor Who characters and representing forgotten historical women in their work.

In the penultimate video, Big Finish’s Executive Assistant Emily Davis and warehouse staff member, Deanna Shore – part of the team which ensures the smooth operation of the administration and distribution of Big Finish audio adventures to customers – will talk about why International Women’s Day is important to them.

Producers Emma Haigh and Emily Cook will also share their tips and their experience of working on ranges highlighting iconic women in science fiction in the last video of the series.

Finally, the Big Finish Podcast also features a two-part interview with directors Louise Jameson and Helen Goldwyn discussing their brilliant range work on ranges such as The Eighth of March, ATA Girl, and The Ninth Doctor Adventures. The first part is out now and the second will be released on 12 March 2023.

Videographer and editor of the YouTube videos, Lisa Gledhill, said: “As a lifelong inhabitant of the Doctor Who universe, I’ve always enjoyed its wealth of wonderful female characters, from plucky journalists to super villains. It was a real privilege to talk to some of the talented women who bring these stories to life for Big Finish.

“In our real world, women are more likely to be fighting discrimination, poverty or violence than battling with bug-eyed monsters but that’s what makes fantasy stories so important. I hope that watching these videos will inspire people to discover new stories or perhaps even create new adventures of their own.”

Hannah Peel, Director of Operations and People at Big Finish, added: “International Women's Day is the perfect opportunity to celebrate the incredible women that work behind-the-scenes and behind the mics to create amazing Big Finish releases. It takes so many people to produce each story and everyone comes to the job with so much excitement.

“Of course, let's not forget the powerful female characters in Doctor Who and science fiction in general. We can't wait to bring you more stories that are both from and about brilliant women.”

The Eighth of March: Strange Chemistry, produced by Emma Haigh and directed by Helen Goldwyn, stars Louise Jameson as Leela (who also wrote the opening story featuring Marie Curie), Michelle Gomez as Missy and Caitlin Blackwood as a teenage Amelia Pond.

Big Finish's artwork competition – closing on 08 March 2023 – is calling for talented artists to create traditional and non-digital portraits of any of the box set’s female leads.

Emma Haigh, who sits on the judging panel, added: “I’m really excited about this competition – I can’t wait to see the images that are created and how the characters from the world of Doctor Who take shape in new ways.

“We’re always on the lookout for new talent and I’m looking forward to making new connections with artists, both established and emerging.”

Three winners will be chosen (one winner per category) from all eligible entries and each will receive a £100 voucher to spend on ANY release at www.bigfinish.com.

The full list of terms and conditions of the Big Finish Eighth of March Portrait Artwork Competition 2023 can be found here and should be read by anyone planning to enter.