The Crown, starring Rowena Cooper, is a magnificent tribute to MR James’s Ghost Stories for Christmas – a mad old lady in an asylum claims to be Queen Victoria and tells a story about a cursed crown. 

This atmospheric hour-long, full-cast audio drama depicts the early foundations of Torchwood, the royal institute for protecting the British Empire against alien threats. It co-stars Derek Riddell (Industry, Shetland, Doctor Who), Gwyneth Keyworth (Bang, Black Mirror, Defending the Guilty) and Big Finish newcomer Jonathan Blaydon.  

Torchwood: The Crown is now available to own as a collector's edition CD (at £10.99 each) or digital download (at £8.99 each), HERE!

The Ferryman stands in shadow and waits. 

The Ferryman giggles, hungers and hates. 

The Ferryman comes to carry away 

All who behold the crown and disobey. 

Christmas Eve. Dr Gideon Parr is summoned to an asylum to check on a patient. A patient who claims to be haunted by a terrible curse. A patient who claims to be Queen Victoria. 

Torchwood producer James Goss said: “The Crown is the third part of our celebration of Queen Victoria’s bicentenary.  

“I’m so proud that we’ve now filled in the minutiae of how Victorian Torchwood ran but without ever sitting down and spelling it out. I’m also really pleased that Queen Victoria comes across as the complicated, difficult creature she was in real life rather than a sweet old lady.” 

Writer Jonathan Barnes added: “It’s a story about Queen Victoria but this time it’s told from a different point of view. Dr Gideon Parr is one of the most brilliant minds of his age – a celebrated alienist with a willingness to accept the impossible. 

“There are wonderful performances from all of the cast, with Rowena Cooper being simply magisterial. It’s all very skillfully marshalled by director Lisa Bowerman and I’m delighted that it’s going to be the December release from this range. It should be perfect to listen to on Christmas Eve when the fire’s banked high and the rain is tapping at the window..." 

Torchwood: The Crown is now available to own as a collector's edition CD (at £10.99 each) or digital download (at £8.99 each), HERE!

Please note that Torchwood contains adult material and may not be suitable for younger listeners. 

Subscribers to the Big Finish Torchwood range can save money by pre-ordering a bundle of stories. A six-release bundle is £60 on CD or £50 on download – or save even more money by ordering all twelve of the latest Torchwood releases together at £110 on CD or £94 on download.