Rani Takes on the World: Beyond Bannerman Road — Big Finish Review

The Doctor Who fandom and Big Finish have continuously paid tribute to the late great Elisabeth Sladen throughout the years. After Russell T Davis penned a short story narrated by Big Finish regular Jacob Dudman with many Who actors reprising their roles as a tribute for Sladen’s anniversary and the Sarah Jane Adventures franchise during the pandemic, I wondered whether Big Finish could continue this franchise.

In a previous article, I voiced my support for Big Finish picking up where the series left off, like many other Doctor Who spinoffs with the original casts returning. And they did just that. Anjli Mohindra stars in Rani Takes on the World: Beyond Bannerman Road, the first of two box sets of full-cast audio drama from Big Finish Productions.

Set 15 years after the events of The Sarah Jane Adventures on television; Rani 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 means they’re facing a whole new set of challenges. They have bills to pay and new family responsibilities. And alien monsters to fight, of course.

Helen Goldwyn directs the first volume with three spectacular scripts written by Joseph Lidster, James Goss and Lizzie Hopley and produced by Emily Cook. With this creative line-up and cast, this was one of my most anticipated listens of 2023.

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!

Joseph Lidster's script effortlessly re-introduces us to Rani on a night out at her roommate's all-vegan bar, where she meets up with Clyde, and the pair reminisces about old times. As neither of them has seen each other since Sarah Jane's funeral, there's a bittersweet undertone as both are still impacted by losing their former mentor and friend.

Anjli Mohindra and Daniel Anthony's chemistry was superb throughout this series, particularly in this episode. Whether it's a comedic or serious scene, these two effortlessly gave terrific performances. It was easy to get invested as an audience member in Rani's story, knowing her from the original show when I was younger and now revisiting it as an adult. Being around the same age as these characters, I could relate to a lot of what they were going through or felt.

The reunion is interrupted by a classic sci-fi alien ship hovering over Ealing. As the pair go to investigate, the ship explodes as it tries to take off again. In a twist that took me entirely by surprise, the night is reset, and Clyde and Rani are the only two to remember what's to come. Trapped in a time loop, Rani and Clyde must stop this impending doom while their personal struggles both have been trying to avoid.

When I learned that Joseph Lidster had previously written for The Sarah Jane Adventures after listening to this opening episode, I was not surprised. He knew these characters inside and out, perfectly capturing what Rani and Clyde would be like in their thirties with their complex history. The time loop element was a perfect tool, which allowed for some great character moments.

We are introduced to new characters connected to The Sarah Jane trio - Rani's flatmate and podcast producer Samira Rustami (Raghad Chaar), Clyde's expectant pregnant girlfriend Phoenix (Tiegan Bryne) and Luke's UNIT colleague Matthew (Angus Dunican). They all have their moments to shine as the loop allows the listeners to spend time with very normal characters in extraordinary circumstances.

Scattered throughout the time loops, flashbacks centred on Yvonne D’Alpra's Patricia Miller's literal star-crossed lovers storyline as she writes letters to a lost love (also played by Dunican) for sixty years. With so much going on in the opening episode, not a single moment was wasted, and I was hooked all the way through.

Lidster did not shy away from serious and complex themes and captured moments of light and dark between all the characters. The presence of Sarah Jane was felt strongly throughout this episode and was a fitting love letter to the character. The ending scene, that tugged at the heartstrings!

Destination: Wedding by James Goss

Rani and Gita Chandra 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?

James Goss never fails to disappoint. I loved this bonkers wedding - it was hilarious, emotional, a cleverly crafted thriller and oddly relatable to anyone who's been to an awkward reunion with their mother in toe. The mother-daughter relationship was at the heart of this one, and Mina Anwar's reprisal of Gita Chandra was marvellous.

As Rani struggles with the prospect of what to do with Sarah Jane's house - which has been left to her - Gita accompanies her to an old school friend's wedding. It's extravagant and over the top with an A-list guest list, but the bride-to-be has invited people she's not parted on good terms with. As guests disappear and memories are rewritten, a darker threat looms over the not-so-happy couple.

This episode has a much smaller cast, but I'd say this is one of my favourites. It perfectly captures Rani and Gita’s relationship; their scenes were brilliant to listen to.

The other half of the cast sees Will Bishop playing the clueless Hollywood groom and the mysterious receptionist with sinister motives alongside Rachel Fenwick as Tiff — Rani’s old schoolmate and blushing bride, but all is not as it seems.

As well as being a thriller on a tropical island, this had very human moments running throughout the episode. With all her friends getting married or having babies, Rani is forced to confront the fact she’s not in that same place. She’s thriving in her career, but at what cost? And those who claim to have the “perfect life” aren’t always being honest with others or themselves.

These great questions are explored with a spectacular and dramatic conclusion. We need more Gita at Big Finish!

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...

With her scripts usually delving into horror, I was excited that Lizzie Hopley had written this season finale, and this episode went to cinematic scales!

Hopley takes the podcast element of this series and delivers a genuinely chilling and disturbing tale while also bringing all the emotional plot points of the previous episodes in a shocking finale. As Rani investigates a mysterious tree that’s taken root in the middle of a restaurant, it affects staff and diners differently. As the tree brings out the worst in Rani, time begins to slip away from her, and she quickly learns that the real threat is closer to home.

The horror elements of this episode were brilliantly executed through the script, performances and sound design. Anjli Mohindra and Daniel Anthony's scenes perfectly balance emotional complexity and witty banter alongside an excellent ensemble cast. Raghad Chaar and Tiegan Byrne reprise their roles with a superb twist about one of their character's true motives. We also have Robert Whitelock as two very different characters, both of which he masters effortlessly and a great Torchwood crossover with Jonny Greene's Tyler Smith joining Rani's team.

The Witching Tree embodies everything brilliant about Doctor Who. As tempting as it is to analyse the finale's twists and turns in full, this is an audio you should go into with no spoilers. The finale ends on a great note, setting up many possibilities of what's to come in the second season after a thrilling confrontation with the surprising antagonist. With Rani and Clyde in an "interesting" place in their friendship, both are working through recent revelations, and Hopley teases whether long-time fans may finally see the Clani ship sail! Only time will tell.

In an era of reboots, it's always refreshing that Big Finish endeavours to expand and continue stories while also paying tribute to what came before. Every episode of this series is exceptional and demonstrates how to successfully revive a series and continue its legacy.

It's already been confirmed that the upcoming sequel, Rani Takes on the World: The Revenge of Wormwood, sees Rani Chandra and Clyde Langer rendezvous with a familiar foe, and Tommy Knight is set to reprise his role as Sarah Jane's son, Luke. December can't come quickly enough!

My rating for Rani Takes on the World: Beyond Bannerman Road is ★★★★★.

Head over to Big Finish to grab a copy of Rani Takes on the World: Beyond Bannerman Road and pre-order Rani Takes on the World: The Revenge of Wormwood!