Doctor Who: The Thirteenth Doctor Adventures: Vampire Weekend from Big Finish Review

The Thirteenth Doctor is back—and what a return it is. Vampire Weekend is easily one of the most talked-about and highly anticipated Big Finish releases of the year and with good reason.

Jodie Whittaker and Mandip Gill make their long-awaited debut in the world of audio adventures, and they triumphantly hit the ground running with all the energy, warmth, and chemistry that made them such a dynamic pairing on screen.

Hearing Whittaker’s voice coming through the speakers again, full of that trademark mix of curiosity, compassion, and bubbly enthusiasm, feels like being reunited with an old friend, and with Mandip Gill’s Yaz right by her side, the duo waste no time in reminding us why they’re such a fun Tardis team. This isn’t just a nostalgia trip—it’s a fresh, exciting story that proves the Thirteenth Doctor’s era still has plenty of stories worth telling.

Synopsis

“It’s Gina’s hen-do and her Maid of Honour has booked a large manor in the Peak District. All her friends should be here – including Yasmin Khan, who’s been mysteriously quiet whilst away on her travels.
But Yaz is bringing a guest. Someone who isn’t invited. Someone who might prove a little disruptive.
The Doctor is joining the celebrations. Unfortunately, so is an ancient enemy…”

Set in the time between ‘Revolution of the Daleks’ and ‘The Halloween Apocalypse’, Vampire Weekend is the first offering from the brand new, twelve-part series from Big Finish.

Vampire Weekend is written by Tim Foley, produced by Noga Flaishon and directed by Ken Bentley. It stars Jodie Whittaker (The Doctor), Mandip Gill (Yasmin Khan), Jeremy Ang Jones (Mason), Anna Crichlow (Zoya/Kat), Mandi Symonds (Gina’s Mum) and Daniel Walford (Daryl).

My review

Right off the bat, we’re thrown back into Jodie’s era seamlessly, I did wonder if the 13th Doctor and Yaz would feel distinctly different on audio, as Jodie’s portrayal of the Doctor is so expressive and visual; I couldn’t have been more wrong. Even before the title credits roll, the story feels so distinctly set in 13’s world that visualising the story in the mind’s eye takes no effort at all.

Writer, Tim Foley effortlessly captures the essence of the Thirteenth Doctor and Yaz, whilst simultaneously offering a fresh and exciting new perspective on what we’ve come to expect from a 13th Doctor story.

Vampire Weekend perfectly balances the light-hearted, humorous feel with dark and thrilling ‘whodunnit’ tones that feel eerily reminiscent of 90s slasher romps. With the bodies dropping one by one, and friends turning on one another left, right and centre, I can’t help but compare Yaz’s strong-headed investigation into the identity of the vampire to Neve Campbell’s Sydney Prescott in the Scream franchise.

You can immediately tell that time has made no fools of Jodie and Mandip’s performances; the pair slip back into their respective roles with ease. A cracking script and great direction let the duo shine in this story, providing some lovely moments of conversation between 13 and Yaz, something that the TV series often lacked the time to deliver.

Thoughts from the team

Harry

They’re back, and it’s about…urm, time?

Yeah, it feels like too short a time has passed for The Doctor and Yaz on Big Finish. If it’s this good, how can I complain?

I loved it! A nice little sort-of ‘whodunnit’ with tiny hints throughout on the culprit… see if you can spot them! The characters all had personality, and the script was witty, funny and scary throughout. I don’t wanna say this is better than the 13th Doctor’s TV tenure, but it’s certainly…edgier, and less ‘Sunday night tea time vibes’. Good in a different way! But still with a hauntingly beautiful Akinola-esque score, and packaged into 50 minutes. It’s not a ‘better version’ of this divisive era; it’s the 13th Doctor entering a fun new dimension.

I suppose with my critical hat on, I would have liked to have had some more world-building. I thoroughly enjoyed the Peak District Manor setting, but I would have enjoyed more exploration of Yaz’s various friendships. We know little about her besides her family and a tiny bit about her police career… I wanna find out more about who she is. But we’ve got plenty more adventures to come, so we will see.

Also, what’s all this about wars between Time Lords and Vampires? I wanted to hear more about THAT.

But I can’t say this really detracts from what this story was going for. It was clearly intended to be a fun romp, and I definitely had fun. And I think we can all agree that Jodie Whittaker and Mandip Gill are amazing with this material that feels very different from their TV Doctor Who appearances.

This has truly won me over. I cannot wait to see where the Thirteenth Doctor and Yaz go next….

Garry

While the story doesn’t rewrite the rulebook, there’s a lot to like here. Tim Foley delivers a sharp script full of wit and charm. The dialogue is well delivered, and I was surprised by how much humour and one-liners were in here, but most landed well. The whole thing has a strong Cluedo vibe, with a classic “whodunnit” energy that suits Jodie’s Doctor perfectly.

Both the Doctor and Yaz are genuinely great in this. Their dynamic feels tighter and more natural than much of their screen time together, and it’s clear the cast are enjoying themselves.

The vampires are compelling — not just the immediate threat, but the larger implications around their connection to Time Lord history, along with the tie-ins to previous stories. There’s more to come on that front, and I’m here for it.

Plot-wise, it’s all fairly straightforward. No big twists or earth-shattering reveals, but it doesn’t need them. This is more about setting the tone and getting reacquainted with the 13th Doctor in a new format.

The music in Big Finish, while always of good standard, isn’t something that gets much chat but I thought Joe Kraemer’s score is a standout. It brings a different energy from Segun Akinola’s moodier TV work; it’s punchier, with more movement, and it really lifts the action.

And yes, the two hens, Ian and Barbara, what a lovely touch, lol.

Overall, Vampire Weekend is a solid, enjoyable start to Jodie Whittaker’s audio era. Nothing revolutionary, but definitely worth a listen.

In Closing

It’s a triumphant return for the Thirteenth Doctor and Yaz. Vampire Weekend fulfils its role as the ideal jumping-on point for fans of Jodie’s Doctor, for whom some may have never dived into Big Finish before. The light-hearted themes make it easy to get lost in the story’s fun. Jodie and Mandip, together with a stellar supporting cast, alongside brilliant sound design and music from Joe Kraemer, make Vampire Weekend an absolute joy to listen to.

As someone who thought Jodie’s doctor deserved better than what the TV series gave her, I can happily say that this release has reignited my passion for the Thirteenth Doctor and I simply cannot wait to hear what the rest of the series has in store for us.

9/10

Doctor Who: The Thirteenth Doctor Adventures: Vampire Weekend is available to purchase now, priced from £9.99 on the Big Finish website.

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