Radio Times is reporting that Tom Baker is returning to the Doctor Who franchise, having written a new novel entitled Doctor Who: Scratchman, which is set for publication in January 2019.
Scratchman started out as a script that Baker wrote with his Doctor Who co-star Ian Marter (Harry Sullivan) during his tenure as the Fourth Doctor in the 1970s, and the official synopsis reads:
What are you afraid of?
The Doctor, Harry and Sarah Jane Smith arrive at a remote Scottish island, when their holiday is cut short by the appearance of strange creatures – hideous scarecrows, preying on the local population. The islanders are living in fear, and the Doctor vows to save them all. But it doesn’t go to plan – the time travellers have fallen into a trap, and Scratchman is coming for them.
With the fate of the universe hanging in the balance, the Doctor must battle an ancient force from another dimension, one who claims to be the Devil.
Scratchman wants to know what the Doctor is most afraid of. And the Doctor’s worst nightmares are coming out to play…
“I love the improbability of Doctor Who,” said Baker. “Reason plays no part at all. As in religion, the overriding thing is faith. It may be improbable, but just believe in it and it’ll all come right. When I was approached about the book, I thought, ‘Why not?’ I’m always on the lookout for a novelty. I’m very enthusiastic as I get close to darkness.”
Doctor Who: Scratchman is set for release in January 2019, and will be accompanied by an audiobook version read by Baker.
