Former Doctor Who star Christopher Eccleston will be reprising the role of the Ninth Doctor for some new adventures as part of an upcoming audio series from Big Finish Productions. Longtime fans of the franchise may remember Eccleston for playing the ninth incarnation of the Doctor when Doctor Who was revived in 2005, making him the first actor to play the iconic role following Paul McGann's run as the Eighth Doctor in 1996. Although he was acclaimed for his performance, Eccleston would depart the series after a single season, opening the door for David Tennant to replace him that same year.

In the years since Christopher Eccleston had moved on, the Doctor has been played by Tennant, Matt Smith, Peter Capaldi, and currently by Jodie Whittaker. It hasn't been uncommon to see previous Doctor actors returning for special appearances, as Tennant would come back for the 50th anniversary special during Smith's run as the Eleventh Doctor. Like Eccleston is set to do, Tennant has also reprised the role for a series of Big Finish audiobooks. The 2013 spoof The Five(ish) Doctors Reboot also included appearances from Doctor actors Smith, Tennant, Peter Davison, Sylvester McCoy, Colin Baker, and Paul McGann.

Titled Doctor Who: The Ninth Doctor Adventures, the new audiobook series will consist of twelve "full-cast audio adventures in space and time." The series is set to be released across four box sets, with the first volume releasing in May 2021. As of now, additional details are being kept under wraps, and that includes plot details, writers, and additional voice cast announcements. One would hope that Eccleston's return will also be joined by Billie Piper to reprise the role of popular Doctor companion Rose Tyler, but this has yet to be confirmed by Big Finish.

"I first talked to Christopher about returning to the role of the Doctor at a fan convention in February this year," Big Finish chairman Jason Haigh-Ellery said in a statement. "Christopher said he was enjoying meeting the fans and was pleased that his Doctor was remembered so fondly. I am so pleased that Christopher has decided to return to the role with us - and I'm excited to welcome him to the Big Finish family as we discover the new adventures of the Ninth Doctor."

Nicholas Briggs, Big Finish's Creative Director, also spoke about the collaboration. "Working with Chris was a very special time for me. The beginning of my Doctor Who TV career," Briggs says. "So, writing for and directing him feels incredibly exciting. He's such a powerful performer and it'll be amazing to work with him again."

"After 15 years it will be exciting to revisit the Ninth Doctor's world, bringing back to life a character I love playing," Eccleston said in a brief statement. A video teaser of the upcoming audiobooks have also been released, which you can take a look at below. You can also pre-order Doctor Who: The Ninth Doctor Adventures now at the Big Finish website. The sets will be available on collector's edition CD, digital download, or limited edition gatefold triple LP vinyl. This news comes to us from the Doctor Who website.