Derek Jacobi returns as the Master in Big Finish audio box set Deeds Without Name
Big Finish Productions has released The War Master: Deeds Without Name, a four-story audio box set in which Sir Derek Jacobi reprises the Master, a role he first played on TV in 2007.
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The story, neutrally told
Centre · 2Big Finish Productions released a new Doctor Who audio drama box set, The War Master: Deeds Without Name, on Tuesday 27 October, with Sir Derek Jacobi reprising the role of the Master. Radio TimesN “The brand-new box set, which comes from Big Finish Productions and sees Jacobi reprise his role as the titular villain, is released today (Tuesday 27 October).” Read at Radio Times ↗ ColliderN “It has been confirmed that the 88-year-old Jacobi has returned as The Master in a brand-new audio drama, The War Master: Deeds Without Name.” Read at Collider ↗ Centre · 2The set contains four stories: The Unstately Home by Alison Winter, Dead Man’s Pulse by Mark Bowsher, The Devil in the Detail by David K Barnes and In His Anecdotage by Matthew Sweet. Radio TimesN “The new drama comprises four adventures: The Unstately Home by Alison Winter, Dead Man’s Pulse by Mark Bowsher, The Devil in the Detail by David K Barnes and In His Anecdotage by Matthew Sweet.” Read at Radio Times ↗ ColliderN “consists of four unmissable stories” Read at Collider ↗ Centre · 1Its synopsis says the Master is on the run from Daleks and Time Lords alike during the Time War and, with no chance of it ending well for him, decides to have some fun, which usually involves torment and pain for others. Radio TimesN “The Master is on the run from Daleks and Time Lords alike, and has decided that, since there’s no chance of the Time War ending well for him, he might as well have some fun.” Read at Radio Times ↗
Centre · 2In The Unstately Home, the Master poses as a cognitive hypnotherapist at Aurora Mansions, a high-tech luxury retirement village and nursing home, to show its wealthy residents that money cannot provide sanctuary from the troubled mind. Radio TimesN “But the Master, posing as a cognitive hypnotherapist, is keen to demonstrate that no amount of money can provide sanctuary from the troubled mind” Read at Radio Times ↗ ColliderN “A synopsis for the audio drama reads:” Read at Collider ↗ Centre · 2The guest cast includes Carolyn Seymour, Sorcha Cusack, Sarah Hadland, Josh Finan and Ben Whitehead, plus Kieran Hodgson, Cassie Bradley, Kathryn Drysdale, Chizzy Akudolu and Will Keen. Radio TimesN “the guest cast for the box set includes Carolyn Seymour (Survivors), Sorcha Cusack (Father Brown), Sarah Hadland (Miranda), Josh Finan (The Responder) and Ben Whitehead (Wallace & Gromit).” Read at Radio Times ↗ ColliderN “with other guest stars including Kieran Hodgson, Cassie Bradley, Kathryn Drysdale, Chizzy Akudolu, and Will Keen.” Read at Collider ↗ Centre · 2Jacobi first played the character in the 2007 Doctor Who episode Utopia, which Collider says gave him only one episode, with the character unaware of his identity until a late reveal. Radio TimesN “who first played the character in the Doctor Who season 3 episode Utopia back in 2007” Read at Radio Times ↗ ColliderN “was only awarded one episode in the role back in 2007, with the character unaware of his identity until the episode’s late reveal.” Read at Collider ↗
Centre · 2In a statement, Jacobi said villains are always the best parts and that being nasty and evil has more depth than being good and heroic, adding that there is a heroic aspect to the Master, who is powerful, strong and assured. Radio TimesN ““The villains are always the best parts, absolutely. Being nasty and evil has somehow more depth than being good and heroic.” Read at Radio Times ↗ ColliderN “In a statement, Jacobi said:” Read at Collider ↗ Centre · 1Writer Alison Winter said the Master at this point has realised there is no future and is indulging in wanton wickedness in the face of his own inevitable destruction, and that she imagined him haunted and experimenting on the ghosts of others. Radio TimesN “he’s indulging in wanton wickedness in the face of his own inevitable destruction.”“decide to experiment on the ghosts of others.” Read at Radio Times ↗ Centre · 1The box set is sold exclusively through bigfinish.com. Radio TimesN “is available to purchase now exclusively from www.bigfinish.com.” Read at Radio Times ↗
Every sentence links to the reporting it rests on. The pill in front of each says where its sources sit: Left, Centre or Right when one side supplies at least half of them, Mixed when they are evenly split. The number is how many outlets it cites.
Left0 outlets
No left outlet in our sources has covered this story yet.
Centre2 outlets
- Framing
- Both centre outlets treat it as a release announcement. Radio Times leads on the Time War premise and the writer's thinking; Collider leads on the Master as Doctor Who's best villain and fans' wish for Jacobi's return.
- Emphasis
- Radio Times: synopses, cast, quotes from Jacobi and Winter, purchase details. Collider: the Master's history and Jacobi's single TV appearance.
- Leaves out or plays down
- Collider omits Winter's comments and the Time War premise, and does not say where the set is sold. Radio Times does not discuss the Master's wider history.
- Charged language
- “British acting legend”“Best Villain”“unmissable”
- For example
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“British acting legend Derek Jacobi returns as the Master in all-new Doctor Who adventure” — Radio Times
“‘Doctor Who’s Best Villain Officially Returns for New Release” — Collider
“consists of four unmissable stories” — Collider
Right0 outlets
No right outlet in our sources has covered this story yet.
What every side reports
- The War Master: Deeds Without Name is a Big Finish audio box set available now.
- Derek Jacobi reprises the Master, first played in 2007.
- The set has four stories by Alison Winter, Mark Bowsher, David K Barnes and Matthew Sweet.
- Both quote Jacobi's statement that villains are always the best parts.
Where accounts differ
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How long since Jacobi last played the Master
- Centre
- Collider's lede says 'After 19 years', while its body says 'almost two decades'; the 2007 date is the same in both outlets. Radio Times gives no figure, and neither mentions earlier audio work.
Derek Jacobi person
Jacobi says villains are the best parts and that the Master has a heroic aspect, being powerful, assured and a winner.
“He’s the powerful one, he’s strong and assured and he knows he’s a winner.” — Radio Times
Left0 articles
No coverage yet.
Centre2 articles
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British acting legend Derek Jacobi returns as the Master in all-new Doctor Who adventure
Neutral Informative release news built on the synopsis, cast list and creator quotes, with mild praise for Jacobi.
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‘Doctor Who’s Best Villain Officially Returns for New Release
Celebratory Fan-oriented piece celebrating the Master and Jacobi's return, with filler quiz-style text mixed into the article.
Right0 articles
No coverage yet.
- 27 Oct 11:55 First Radio TimesN British acting legend Derek Jacobi returns as the Master in all-new Doctor Who adventure
- 28 Oct 23:20 +35h 25m ColliderN ‘Doctor Who’s Best Villain Officially Returns for New Release
Times are when each article was published, or when we first saw it if the outlet gave no time.
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