October 09, 2025
Writer Robert Shearman discusses his new novels Jubilee and The Chimes of Midnight, the audio dramas that inspired them, and the '37th Doctor' in the latest issue of Doctor Who Magazine...
Before Series 1's Dalek introduced a new generation of fans to the Doctor's greatest enemies, writer Robert Shearman's original concept for the story first appeared as Jubilee, a 2003 Big Finish audio drama for Colin Baker's Sixth Doctor. Fast-forward to 2025, and Jubilee has returned as an all-new novelisation of the audio adventure; accompanied by The Chimes of Midnight, another of Shearman's original stories featuring the Eighth Doctor.
Doctor Who Magazine spoke to Robert Shearman about the release of both of his new novels and twenty years of Dalek - read an exclusive extract below.
Doctor Who Magazine issue 622 is on sale now. You can order it here.
Robert Shearman, the writer of the 2005 episode Dalek, discusses its origins: the audio drama Jubilee, which he has reimagined as a novel featuring the Sixth Doctor:
“In Jubilee, it was fun to explore the character of the latest incarnation of the Doctor. Someone who – within the story – plays the Doctor on TV. So we have the 37th incarnation of the Doctor. He’ll be replaced at some point because there always has to be a ‘Doctor’ – a public figure on social media. That was fun to do.
“And in The Chimes of Midnight, I’ve now got the companion Charley being haunted by someone who is trying to give her a Christmas present. When she opens it up, it becomes a doll’s house, which suddenly swells and blots out the entire TARDIS. Visually that was so much more exciting. I wanted these eerie moments…”
Read the full interview in issue 622 of Doctor Who Magazine.
In this issue:
- Composer MURRAY GOLD, writer JUNO DAWSON and designer DAN MAY on the Interstellar Song Contest hit Dugga Doo and the alien race behind it…
- ROBERT SHEARMAN discusses his new novels – Jubilee and The Chimes of Midnight – based on audio dramas he wrote for the Sixth and Eighth Doctors in the early 2000s.
- A tribute to Season 18 script editor and the writer of Logopolis, Castrovalva and Frontios, CHRISTOPHER H BIDMEAD who died in August.
- Previously unpublished extracts from an interview with Christopher H Bidmead conducted in 2017.
- SOPHIE ALDRED talks about returning to the early days of companion Ace in a new audio drama box set.
- KATY MANNING and CAROLE ANN FORD discuss short stories they have written for a new anthology that explores what happened to their characters, Jo and Susan, in the aftermath of TV episodes…
- A celebration of BBC Audiobooks’ Doctor Who releases – including their recently completed run of talking books based on the Target novelisations.
- The Black Archive Quiz – how sharp is your Doctor Who knowledge?
- The monster hospital – the Museum of Classic Sci-Fi’s NEIL COLE explains how he’s brought some of the series’ memorable creatures back to life!
- A deep dive into the world of the Eleventh Doctor episode Let’s Kill Hitler.
- Back to 1988! What did the critics make of Seventh Doctor story Remembrance of the Daleks?
- Will computers be to blame for our downfall? Gary Gillatt investigates…
- A new comic strip adventure for the Fifteenth Doctor and Belinda…
Regular features:
- GALLIFREY GUARDIAN: Our news round-up including details of Russell T Davies’ BAFTA win and the ‘Speakies’ nomination for First Doctor audiobook Agent of the Daleks.
- Reviews – featuring the latest audios, books, records and action figures.
- Other Worlds – the essential guide to new stories in Doctor Who’s expanded universe.
- Prizes to be won – including Season 13 on Blu-ray!
Doctor Who Magazine issue 622 is on sale now. You can order it here.
