Back in February 2015 we revealed here at Flickering Myth that Big Finish were planning on releasing more UNIT tales starring Jemma Redgrave in a series titled UNIT: Extinction. Well now we can bring you the rest of the cast members too and there is a fan favourite along for the ride. Osgood is back.
Osgood, played by Ingrid Oliver, has proved herself to be a hugely popular character in the Doctor Who universe – as a UNIT scientist – appearing in the 50th anniversary special The Day of the Doctor, and the season eight finale Death in Heaven. Both Jemma and Ingrid will be returning to the Doctor Who TV series for its upcoming ninth season in the Autumn.
“We’re so happy to have Kate and Osgood joining us at Big Finish,” says producer David Richardson. “This team has been so captivating to watch on TV, and we’re looking forward to throwing some deadly challenges in their paths in these kinetic new episodes.”
Other characters named for UNIT: Extinction include a new character Sam Bishop, an international trouble-shooter for UNIT who is sent to the world’s most dangerous hotspots. Playing this action role is Warren Brown, whose many leading TV roles include the BBC dramas Luther, By Any Means and Good Cop. Warren can soon be seen in the feature film Captain Webb, and a new drama series X Company.
“We’ve worked with Warren several times before,” says David, “and even though he’s one of the busiest leading men around, he’s said he’ll be there for Big Finish. So we’ve created a principle role in UNIT especially for him, and he’ll be an essential member of the global team.”
The ensemble is also enhanced with the casting of Ramon Tikaram as Colonel Shindi. Ramon is well known from many recent TV series including Stella, Fortitude and Happy Valley, and films including Jupiter Ascending and Dragonfly.
“Ramon also is busy on so many great things, but we’ve tempted him to the ranks of UNIT! He’s a lovely man to have around, and an extraordinary actor.”
Finally, the role of loose canon UNIT officer Josh Carter is played by James Joyce, who has appeared in many Big Finish productions including Charlotte Pollard, as well as TV shows such as Downton Abbey, The Musketeers and Holby City.
“James has done so much brilliant audio work for us, he’s earned his place in UNIT!” says David.
In UNIT: Extinction, Kate and her team confront an alien invasion by the Nestene Consciousness and its army of plastic Autons. The box set is released in November 2015 and is available for pre-order; three further UNIT releases will then follow at six monthly intervals.
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?list=PL18yMRIfoszFLSgML6ddazw180SXMvMz5&v=yIuEu1m0p2M
Originally published June 8, 2015. Updated December 15, 2019.
