Starting in October the hugely anticipated epic, The Time War, stars Paul McGann as the Eighth Doctor joined by new companion, Bliss, played by Rakhee Thakrar.

The Eighth Doctor stars in The Time War! Four new stories written by John Dorney and Matt Fitton cover the Eighth Doctor trying to survive in a universe at war:

1. The Starship of Theseus by John Dorney

The Doctor and his companion, Sheena, land the TARDIS on the glamorous luxury space-liner Theseus just as it’s about to leave the Jupiter space-port. An opportunity for a holiday presents itself – and it’s one they’re very glad to take.

But when a disturbance catches their attention, they realise sinister events are taking place on board. Passengers are vanishing on every trip. And unless they’re careful they may be next.

Can the Doctor and Emma solve the mystery? Or is there something else they should be worrying about?

2. Echoes of War by Matt Fitton

Colliding with the full force of the Time War, the Doctor crash-lands on a jungle world with a ragtag band of refugees.

To stay alive, they must cross a landscape where time itself is corrupted. A forest which cycles through growth and decay, where sounds of battle are never far away, and where strange creatures lurk all around.

Luckily, the Doctor has friends: not only plucky scientist Bliss, but another, much more unlikely ally. Its name is ‘Dal’…

3. The Conscript by Matt Fitton

Cardinal Ollistra has a new tactic to persuade the Doctor to join his people’s fight. With his friends locked away, he has been conscripted alongside fellow Gallifreyans to train for the front lines of battle.

Commandant Harlan has a reputation – his camp’s regime is harsh. He believes the Time Lords must adapt to win this war, but the Doctor is not easily intimidated.

Can there be any place for dissent when the Time War looms so close?

4. One Life by John Dorney

As the full force of the Time War crashes down around the Doctor and his friends, a desperate battle for survival ensues.

But not everyone is playing the same game. Ollistra is after a weapon that could end the war in a stroke and she’ll sacrifice anyone or anything to take it back to Gallifrey. Even the Doctor.

Surrounded by Daleks, and on a tortured planet, only one man can save the day. But he doesn’t want to fight.

“How exciting to go back in time," says writer Matt Fitton, “before the War Doctor, before that fateful Night on Karn - to see the Eighth Doctor doing all he can to stay out of a conflict raging across time. But inexorably, inevitably, he's dragged towards it - forced to confront unpalatable truths about his people and what they've become, learning new things about an enemy he thinks he knows - all the while trying to save the innocents. We've a brilliant cast of allies and enemies, and an exciting journey planned as this Doctor makes a last stand for his values in a universe at war."

Be ready for The Time War! Preorder now at £23 on CD or £20 on download. All CD pre-orders will unlock the digital download on the Big Finish website and the Big Finish app. Or save money with a bundle and get Series 1–4 of The Time War at £88 on CD or £80 on download.

The Time War stories act as a prequel to Doctor Who: The War Doctor starring Sir John Hurt as the War Doctor and Jacqueline Pearce as Cardinal Ollistra. Have you heard them yet? †¨†¨

More details on The Time War will be made available on the Big Finish website and on our social channels – Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.