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Out Now: Big Finish’s Rani Takes on the World — Beyond Bannerman Road

Those of us who miss The Sarah Jane Adventures will be overjoyed to hear that Rani Chandra and Clyde Langer are back, this time for Rani Takes on the World: Beyond Bannerman Road, the first of two boxsets from audio company, Big Finish.

And the teaser released by the company confirms a surprise guest for the second set…

Yes, Luke Smith will be back next time too! And it looks like he’s working for UNIT…

But back to Beyond Bannerman Road. Set 15 years after the events of The Sarah Jane Adventures on television, Rani (Anjli Mohindra) is now following in the footsteps of her former neighbour as an award-winning journalist. And like Sarah Jane, Rani seeks to right wrongs and fight for the truth. When she reunites with her best pal Clyde (Daniel Anthony), they are quickly thrust into adventure, just like the good old days. They’re no longer teenagers but, of course, that just means they’re facing a whole new set of challenges. They have bills to pay and new family responsibilities.

Oh, and aliens to battle.

Here’s what’s inside this set:

Here Today by Joseph Lidster

Years after her adventures with Sarah Jane Smith and friends, Rani Chandra is a successful journalist – she’s brought down a government, and her podcast is making waves. And she’s about to be surprised by a visit from her best friend, Clyde Langer – who has an announcement of his own.

But, tonight, Clyde isn’t the only visitor to Ealing… In the skies above, a flying saucer approaches – and only one person on Earth can stop it destroying London!

Destination: Wedding by James Goss

Rani and Gita Chandra (guest star Mina Anwar) have been invited to a dream wedding on a luxury island resort. But how did Tiff from school end up marrying a film star? And why has she asked all the worst people from her life alongside the Hollywood A-listers?

While Gita samples the canapés and criticises the flower arrangements, Rani senses something amiss… The perfect wedding comes at a price – but who will be paying?

The Witching Tree by Lizzie Hopley

Chasing a podcast award, encouraged by a secret source, Rani investigates a ‘haunted’ restaurant built around a twisted tree. The owners could be faking the spooky activity, but Rani soon realises the tree is not what it seems.As a terrifying threat to planet Earth is revealed, Clyde and Phoenix are dragged into the fight. Rani is torn between revealing the truth, or keeping a secret too terrifying to broadcast…

You can save money by ordering Rani Takes on the World: Beyond Bannerman Road and The Revenge of Wormwood (due for release in December 2023) together in a bundle from £33.

Beyond Bannerman Road is now available now from Big Finish for £19.99 (collector’s edition CD box set and download) or £16.99 (download only).

Philip Bates

Editor and co-founder of the Doctor Who Companion. When he’s not watching television, reading books ‘n’ Marvel comics, listening to The Killers, and obsessing over script ideas, Philip Bates pretends to be a freelance writer. He enjoys collecting everything. Writer of The Black Archive: The Pandorica Opens/ The Big Bang, The Silver Archive: The Stone Tape, and 100 Objects of Doctor Who.

Out Now: Big Finish’s Rani Takes on the World — Beyond Bannerman Road

by Philip Bates time to read: 2 min
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