It has to be said, Matthew Jacobs really knows how to write the 8th Doctor. He steps back into the Whoniverse effortlessly and gives us an amazing story of transformation and music! I really enjoyed this story from start to finish. The premise we're given before the opening titles had me incredibly excited, with someone being transformed into a tree, which filled me with intrigue for the story to come! I was not disappointed by the remainder of the story, as the Doctor and Puccini's chemistry was brilliant, and Audacity and Charley felt like real assets to the story! I felt that Jacobs really understood the character of Audacity really well and helped realise her as well as, or maybe even better than, the previous year's Audacity releases. It's a great story through and through and I would recommend it to anyone and everyone! Also, loved the TV Movie reference ;)

Operatical

Prerequisites: None needed, although I'd recommend seeing the TV Movie beforehand to catch some references.

Puccini and the Doctor is... fine. Admittedly, it's pretty neat that Matthew Jacobs came back to Doctor Who all these decades later, but I'm reminded that the TV Movie was not a particularly well-written piece of film. Now, this audio is a definite step up, but I wouldn't call it great by any stretch. For starters, I'm just not interested in any of the background characters here. Puccini himself is boring enough that I wouldn't even have remembered his name if it weren't for the title, and Tura didn't really have much time to develop either, since her identity was only revealed in the third act. Still, there is a rather nice through-line of love that connects the characters thematically, and I do like the idea of an alien desperately trying to understand human creativity. This isn't a bad story, but it's quite forgettable.

Matthew Jacobs is back! And returns with a beautiful story about what it means to love and create. I know nothing about opera but I still adored this, and how character focused it was. Fab concepts and performances all round!

A beautiful, lyrical story with the burgeoning classic TARDIS team of the Eighth Doctor, Charlie, and Audacity. I can see why this one would be some people's favorite as it is a wonderful unique tale centered around what it means to love.

audacity canon sapphic , i always win!
as someone not into opera i found this pretty easy to follow and a really good audio. great character moments!

Thworping through time and space, one adventure at a time!

"THE DEADLY STRANGERS: WHEN OPERA MEETS ALIEN OBSESSION"

The Eighth Doctor, Charley, and Audacity find themselves swept into the world of legendary composer Giacomo Puccini, just as he struggles to complete his final opera. But their adventure soon takes an eerie turn with the arrival of an alien entity obsessed with riddles, music, and, most unsettlingly, the Doctor himself.

Anchoring the story in the early 20th century and intertwining it with Puccini’s life and creative process lends this tale a unique charm. The mix of historical drama and cosmic intrigue feels wonderfully rich—like an opera itself, full of grand emotions, mystery, and beauty.

THE RETURN OF A FAMILIAR WRITER AND A NEARLY-DOCTOR

This marks the triumphant return of Matthew Jacobs—writer of the 1996 TV Movie—to the Doctor Who universe, making it an intriguing release for long-time fans. Adding to the fun, Tim McInnerny plays Puccini with flair, a delightful casting choice given that McInnerny once auditioned for the role of the Eighth Doctor himself.

TURA, THE RIDDLE-LOVING MENACE

From the start, a sense of mystery pervades the narrative, with an unusual cherry blossom tree and the enigmatic Tura, an alien with a haunting fascination for the Doctor. As the story progresses, Tura’s obsession escalates, leading to a tense, almost psychological battle as she begins to pose a serious threat to Charley. Her strange power—transforming humans into plants or animals through eerie, melodic songs—adds an extra layer of unease.

A TRIO IN PERFECT HARMONY

One of the highlights of the audio drama is the dynamic between the Doctor, Charley, and Audacity. Their chemistry sparkles, brimming with humour and warmth as they discuss music, culture, and fashion. Audacity’s aristocratic background proves useful, allowing her to move through high society with ease while drawing closer to the elusive Tura.

McInnerny is excellent as Puccini, perfectly capturing his genius and struggles, while Sarah Lawrie is equally strong as Puccini’s supportive wife. These performances ground the story’s more fantastical elements in something real and emotional.

A STUNNING FINAL MOVEMENT

The setting comes to life with evocative scenes aboard trains, boats, and at opulent parties, but it’s the Doctor’s heartfelt conversation with Puccini that steals the show. The moment where he inspires the composer to write Turandot, underscored by the use of Nessun Dorma, is simply magical—a beautiful intersection of history and fiction.

The climax is bittersweet, with Puccini gaining the final push to complete his masterpiece while the Doctor faces the consequences of Tura’s dangerous fascination. Even for those who aren’t opera enthusiasts, the story’s exploration of love, music, and creativity makes it deeply moving.

📝VERDICT: 9/10

A lyrical, poetic adventure that blends historical fiction with eerie sci-fi intrigue. The Deadly Strangers captures the essence of opera—grand, emotional, and tragic—while delivering an intelligent and haunting alien threat. With a stellar cast, strong character moments, and a unique setting, this is an unforgettable audio drama that lingers long after the final note.

I can’t tell you how much this story filled me with joy the tv movie writer back for 1 night only this story feels perfectly paired with the tv movie too it’s just so good couldn’t recommend enough let’s home the next set is just as good

as someone who LOVES the movie, i was so excited for this release having the same writer, finally!!! it did not disappoint either, really enjoyed the plot and all the moments between this tardis crew which, i must admit, is growing on me...