Spinoffs are a part of the territory with successful television programs, and Doctor Who has not been an exception. The much beloved Torchwood lasted four seasons before going on hiatus, but will hopefully be back at some point. Yet, with the colorful cast of recurring characters that are a part of Doctor Who, there are plenty of other possibilities for a spinoff. Who would not want to see a spinoff focused on the Paternoster Gang, following around Madame Vastra, Jenny and Strax on their adventures? Or to see what it would be like to be a member of UNIT and to see Kate Lethbridge-Stewart get a chance to shine in a starring role?

Well, for those of us that have been interested in seeing Kate and UNIT in their own series, there is some good news. While it will not be on television, Big Finish Productions will be producing a series of audio stories centered around Kate and her squad. Entitled UNIT: Extinction and slated to begin in November, these audio plays will be released in box set form every six months.

To add to the excitement of having Kate Lethbridge-Stewart and UNIT in a featured role, the actress that plays her in Doctor Who will be reprising her role in these stories. Yes, that will be the voice of Jemma Redgrave coming over your speakers, as she continues to play everyone’s favorite top secret director.

What could this mean for Doctor Who, Kate and UNIT going forward? Well, the companions for the Eighth Doctor, who were a part of the audio productions by Big Finish over the previous years, have been added to the canon of Doctor Who through references in later episodes. It may well be that, much like Torchwood, the spinoff will become a part of canon as well. Perhaps in some future episodes, Kate’s adventures will be brought up should the Doctor and his companion encounter her again.

This may also mark the beginning of other Doctor Who audio spinoffs. Before the series involving Kate Lethbridge-Stewart and UNIT, the BBC had controlled everything related to the new Doctor Who. Now, with Big Finish having permission to create UNIT: Extinction, could others be far behind? Could the Paternoster Gang be next?

Doctor Who is at the apex of its popularity, so we may be about to enter a Golden Age of spinoffs. The adventures of Kate Lethbridge-Stewart and UNIT may be just the beginning.