Today Big Finish can announce the return of Sir Derek Jacobi as the Master, ten years to the day after his first appearance in the Doctor Who episode, Utopia.

“His incarnation is very much the ‘Hannibal Lecter’ of Time Lords - intelligent, charming, but thoroughly ruthless - we had a lot of fun in studio bringing the War Master back to life,” explains producer and director Scott Handcock, “It’s been a gift of a project, and we can’t wait for listeners to hear it!”

“I didn’t expect to come back to it all these years later,” says Sir Derek, “but I was thrilled to be remembered. The plots in all these episodes have been very good indeed, very interesting, very dramatic, and beautifully written. The whole process has been a delight!”

Doctor Who: The War Master follows the exploits of the Doctor’s arch-enemy during the course of the devastating Time War, featuring four stories from acclaimed Doctor Who writers Nicholas Briggs (also script editor of the series), James Goss and Guy Adams, as well as new writing talent from Janine H Jones.

1. Beneath the Viscoid by Nicholas Briggs

On the ocean planet Gardezza, deep beneath the Viscoid, a mysterious capsule is recovered from the Time War, and an equally mysterious stranger found within. The Doctor’s reputation precedes him, even here… but can he be trusted?

2. The Good Master by Janine H Jones

The Time War rages around Arcking - a planet serving as a sanctuary for the sick and injured. But Arcking is protected by a mysterious, powerful force: a force the Master will stop at nothing to harness… even if time itself is against him.

3. The Sky Man by James Goss

When his new companion decides to save a planet, the Master indulges this most futile of requests. Materialising on a primitive, agrarian world, both the strangers quickly find their place in it… until fallout from the War invades their happy paradise.

4. The Heavenly Paradigm by Guy Adams

With his plans approaching fruition, the Master travels to Stamford Bridge in the 1970s: a location he believes might hold the key to his success. But what terrible secret lurks under the stairs of No. 24 Marigold Lane? And what sacrifices will the Master make in the name of ultimate victory?

Along with the return of the War Master, we are also announcing two further new releases today.

Gallifrey: Time War explores the Time Lord planet brought to crisis by the ongoing war. Lalla Ward and Louise Jameson play Romana and Leela in a Gallifrey at the brink of collapse.

And we’ll be returning to New New New New New New New New New New New New New New York with the return of Adjoa Andoh, Yasmin Bannerman and Anna Hope to a unique set of stories for Big Finish, Tales from New Earth. We’ll be revealing more information about these exciting releases soon!

The War Master will be returning to bring destruction to the Universe in December this year, and is available to pre-order from the Big Finish website for £23 on CD or £20 as an download - or you can save by ordering a bundle with Gallifrey: Time War and Tales from New Earth at £63 on CD or £54 on download from bigfinish.com