For fans of Doctor Who, the future of the show may be uncertain, but the past is about to get a whole lot more exciting. The Paternoster Gang—the Victorian-era crime-solving trio that many have dubbed the show's answer to Sherlock—is officially making a comeback in a brand-new audio story from Big Finish Productions.
Titled "The Paternoster Gang: The Misplaced World", this feature-length adventure is part of Big Finish's Worlds of Doctor Who collection. The story is co-written by Neve McIntosh and Dan Starkey, who play Madame Vastra and Strax, respectively, with Matt Fitton serving as script editor. Fans can pre-order the two-hour audio drama exclusively on the Big Finish website.
The return of the Paternoster Gang comes at a time when Doctor Who is in a state of flux. After the Disney-backed era ended, showrunner Russell T. Davies stepped down, and the BBC put the series out to competitive tender. Reports suggest that Jed Mercurio, creator of Line of Duty, is the front-runner to take over, but nothing has been officially confirmed.
Davies has hinted that production on a new season could begin as early as next summer, with a fresh Doctor and companion. However, former Doctor Peter Capaldi has expressed caution, warning that only a "small group of professionals" truly understand the show's magic, and that BBC executives who "don't really understand it" risk losing what has made Doctor Who beloved for over sixty years.
While fans wait for news on the show's future, the Paternoster Gang's return offers a welcome dose of nostalgia. The trio—Madame Vastra, a Silurian detective; her wife Jenny Flint; and their loyal Sontaran butler Strax—first appeared in the 2010 episode "A Good Man Goes to War" and quickly became fan favorites. Their dynamic, blending Victorian mystery with sci-fi, earned them a devoted following.
According to the official synopsis, the new audio story sees the gang "trying to capture an animal smuggler when they're sent back tens of millions of years." In that prehistoric era, the Silurians rule the world but fear their civilization is doomed. Vastra, knowing the future, must decide how much to intervene in her own people's past. Meanwhile, Jenny faces her own challenges—including meeting her wife's former lover.
This isn't the first time Big Finish has expanded the Doctor Who universe with audio adventures. The company has produced hundreds of stories featuring classic and modern Doctors, as well as spin-offs like Torchwood and Class. The Paternoster Gang previously had their own audio series, and this new release continues their story.
For those eager to dive into more detective-driven sci-fi, the Paternoster Gang's adventures are a perfect fit. If you're looking for other shows that blend crime-solving with a twist, check out our list of detective dramas that redefine the genre. And if you're a fan of time-traveling mysteries, you might also enjoy this look at a TV series that fills a similar void.
Stay tuned for more Doctor Who updates as the future of the show becomes clearer. In the meantime, the Paternoster Gang's return is sure to delight fans old and new.
