Sophie Aldred's Ace Odyssey

Set aside whatever reality-maintenance you’re currently engaged in (or valiantly postponing), confirm that causality remains broadly intact, and make yourself comfortable as we once more step aboard the venerable Nosferatu 2.5 — a vessel of such distinguished mileage that several of its systems now operate on instinct, nostalgia, and sheer defiance. With Sophie Aldred at the helm, our journey continues through memory, mischief, and those curious junctures where lived experience and myth-making intertwine.

At Sophie’s side, as ever, is Hobbes: automaton butler, procedural absolutist, and tireless defender of standards in an increasingly unruly cosmos. Gleaming, exacting, and faintly scandalised by improvisation, Hobbes maintains order in the face of temporal hiccups, unexpected arrivals, and the increasingly insistent matter of the door that refuses either to open or to justify itself. Between them, Sophie and Hobbes negotiate philosophical diversions, mechanical sulks, and the occasional tremor in the space-time upholstery.

This week, the Time Scoop vibrates ominously and retrieves none other than Nick Briggs- actor, writer, director, and Executive Producer of Big Finish Productions. The man who gave voice to the Daleks (and, indeed, to a formidable menagerie of monsters), Nick has become one of the most distinctive sonic architects in the Whoniverse. From his early fan-film days through to steering Big Finish into an audio drama powerhouse, his career has been defined by invention, precision, and an almost alchemical understanding of sound as storytelling. With warmth, wit, and an enviable command of vocal cords, Nick reflects on beginnings, breakthroughs, and the curious business of becoming the voice of your childhood nightmares. Once the Scoop’s formalities are reluctantly approved, he joins Sophie on the Sofa of Infinite Understanding for a conversation rich in craft, memory, and just a hint of well-modulated menace.

No expedition aboard the Nosferatu 2.5, however, would be complete without a plunge into the shimmering currents of the Ffantaface. that vast, ever-shifting reservoir of fan brilliance. Presiding, as always, is Mrs C, the Cockney goldfish, whose telepathic observations remain brisk, incisive, and only intermittently charitable. This week’s guide is Ellie Littlechild: writer, presenter, and digital creative force known to many through her work with WhoCulture and across social media, where her sharp analysis and infectious enthusiasm have built a vibrant community of fellow travellers. Through video essays, commentary, and joyful deep-dives into Doctor Who’s lore, Ellie represents a new generation of fandom: informed, articulate, and gloriously unafraid to celebrate what she loves. Together, Sophie and Ellie explore online community, critical affection, and how the conversation around Who continues to evolve, one post, one theory, one brilliantly edited video at a time.

You can find us all over your social media.
Bluesky/Instagram/X: @aceodyssey63
Facebook: Sophie Aldred's Ace Odyssey

Ellie's Instagram: @ellie.littlechild
Ellie's TikTok: @ellie.littlechild
Ellie's X: @ELittlechild
Ellie's Threads: @ellie.littlechild
Ellie's Bluesky: @elittlechild
WhoCulture Instagram: @whoculture

For listeners who want even more adventure, you can step inside the Ace Odyssey Patreon Community-
*Episodes released early
*Two exclusive podcasts every month
*Online meet-ups and interactive events
*Direct involvement in the evolving universe of the show
www.patreon.com/aceodyssey

Sophie Aldred's Ace Odyssey stars Sophie Aldred with James Showers as Hobbes.
Special Guests- Nicholas Briggs and Ellie Littlechild

Music, Songs. Sound Effects, Sound Design and Post Production by Michael Livesley
www.michaellivesley.co.uk
Spoons played by Johnny 'Bongo' Haze
Programme Assistant Liz Whitmore
Written, Produced and Directed by Paul Carmichael

Sophie Aldred’s Ace Odyssey is an Eh? Aye! Production © 2026
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Set aside whatever reality-maintenance you’re currently engaged in (or valiantly postponing), confirm that causality remains broadly intact, and make yourself comfortable as we once more step aboard the venerable Nosferatu 2.5 — a vessel of such distinguished mileage that several of its systems now operate on instinct, nostalgia, and sheer defiance. With Sophie Aldred at the helm, our journey continues through memory, mischief, and those curious junctures where lived experience and myth-making intertwine.

At Sophie’s side, as ever, is Hobbes: automaton butler, procedural absolutist, and tireless defender of standards in an increasingly unruly cosmos. Gleaming, exacting, and faintly scandalised by improvisation, Hobbes maintains order in the face of temporal hiccups, unexpected arrivals, and the increasingly insistent matter of the door that refuses either to open or to justify itself. Between them, Sophie and Hobbes negotiate philosophical diversions, mechanical sulks, and the occasional tremor in the space-time upholstery.

This week, the Time Scoop dispenses with subtlety and retrieves none other than Colin Baker — the Sixth Doctor himself. Actor, raconteur, and gloriously distinctive presence both on and off screen, Colin reflects on a remarkable upbringing, his early path into the profession, and the unlikely turns that led him to step into one of television’s most iconic roles. With characteristic candour and theatrical flourish, he explores resilience, reinvention, and the peculiar responsibility of inheriting a legend. Once the Scoop’s paperwork is grudgingly stamped, Colin joins Sophie on the Sofa of Infinite Understanding for a conversation that is by turns insightful, mischievous, and unexpectedly moving.

No voyage aboard the Nosferatu 2.5 would be complete without a descent into the luminous waters of the Ffantaface — that vast and ever-shifting reservoir of fan brilliance. Presiding with telepathic acuity (and minimal patience) is Mrs C, the Cockney goldfish, who ushers Sophie toward this week’s guide: Katie Haynes — cosplayer, digital creator, and widely celebrated for her striking appearances as the Thirteenth Doctor. Through meticulous costume work, performance flair, and a joyful online presence, Katie has brought her incarnation to life for audiences across conventions and social media alike. Together, Sophie and Katie explore creativity, identity, and the transformative power of stepping into a character who means something — not just on screen, but in the hearts of those who follow.

You can find us all over your social media.
Bluesky/Instagram/X: @aceodyssey63
Facebook: Sophie Aldred's Ace Odyssey

Katie's Instagram: @katiegangel
Katie's TikTok: @katiegangel44
Katie's Threads: @katiegangel
Katie's Bluesky: @katiegangel

For listeners who want even more adventure, you can step inside the Ace Odyssey Patreon Community-
*Episodes released early
*Two exclusive podcasts every month
*Online meet-ups and interactive events
*Direct involvement in the evolving universe of the show
www.patreon.com/aceodyssey

Sophie Aldred's Ace Odyssey stars Sophie Aldred with James Showers as Hobbes.
Special Guests- Colin Baker and Katie Haynes
Music, Sound Effects and Sound Design by Michael Livesley
www.michaellivesley.co.uk
Programme Assistant Liz Whitmore
Written, Produced and Directed by Paul Carmichael.
Sophie Aldred’s Ace Odyssey is an Eh? Aye! Production © 2026
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Pause whatever interdimensional housekeeping you’re pretending is under control, glance nervously at the door we absolutely cannot open, and join us for something rather special. This week we’re celebrating 15,000 downloads — which is extraordinary, humbling, faintly surreal, and entirely your fault (in the best possible way). Thank you for travelling with us.
And because so many of you have climbed aboard recently, we’ve prepared an omnibus transmission: the dramatic story so far. All the peril. All the paradoxes. All the escalating improbabilities stitched together in one gloriously unstable sequence. It’s a chance to catch up — or to experience the chaos afresh — because the truth is… that door won’t stay shut for much longer.
Starring Sophie alongside an astonishing constellation of fellow travellers — Sylvester McCoy, Janet Fielding, Sally Knyvette, David Banks, Nicholas Briggs, Russell T Davies and Carole Ann Ford — this is the saga as it stands. A stellar cast. A growing mystery. A gathering momentum.
And if you listen carefully… you may even detect a whisper of who is waiting just beyond the threshold next.
“Who,” indeed.

You can find us all over your social media.
Bluesky/Instagram/X: @aceodyssey63
Facebook: Sophie Aldred's Ace Odyssey

Sophie's Instagram: @sophie_ace_aldred

For listeners who want even more adventure, you can step inside the Ace Odyssey Patreon Community-
*Episodes released early
*Two exclusive podcasts every month
*Online meet-ups and interactive events
*Direct involvement in the evolving universe of the show
www.patreon.com/aceodyssey

Sophie Aldred's Ace Odyssey stars Sophie Aldred with James Showers as Hobbes.
Special Guests- Sylvester McCoy, Janet Fielding, Sally Knyvette, David Banks, Nicholas Briggs, Russel T Davies and Carole Ann Ford
Music, Sound Effects and Sound Design by Michael Livesley
www.michaellivesley.co.uk
Programme Assistant Liz Whitmore
Written, Produced and Directed by Paul Carmichael.

Sophie Aldred’s Ace Odyssey is an Eh? Aye! Production © 2026
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Set aside whatever reality-maintenance you’re currently engaged in (or pointedly neglecting), ensure time is still behaving in a broadly cooperative fashion, and make yourself comfortable as we once again step aboard the venerable Nosferatu 2.5 — a vessel of such seasoned provenance that several of its systems function largely on memory alone. With Sophie Aldred at the helm, our journey continues through reminiscence, imagination, and those delicate intersections where lived history and creative legacy quietly entwine.
At Sophie’s side, as ever, stands Hobbes: the ship’s automaton butler, procedural purist, and indefatigable custodian of standards. Polished to a fault and deeply suspicious of improvisation, Hobbes oversees operations with meticulous care, particularly when faced with temporal anomalies, unscheduled arrivals, and the persistent enigma of the door that stubbornly refuses to open — or explain itself. Together, Sophie and Hobbes navigate temperamental technology, philosophical digressions, and the occasional existential tremor rippling through the bulkheads.

This week, the Time Scoop once again demonstrates its aversion to consultation and retrieves Carole Ann Ford — actor, pioneer, and forever woven into the origins of Doctor Who itself. As Susan Foreman, Carole stood alongside William Hartnell when the programme first aired in 1963, helping to define not only a character but the emotional heart of a series that was inventing itself in real time. Her performance combined curiosity, intelligence, and a quiet otherness that grounded the show’s earliest explorations of time and space. Beyond Doctor Who, Carole’s career has encompassed theatre, television, film, and audio drama, marked by a thoughtful engagement with character and story across decades. Once the Scoop’s formalities are reluctantly satisfied, Carole joins Sophie on the Sofa of Infinite Understanding to reflect on beginnings, endurance, and what it means to be part of a mythology that never truly stops unfolding.

No expedition aboard the Nosferatu 2.5, however, would be complete without a descent into the shimmering depths of the Ffantaface — that vast, ever-shifting reservoir of fan memory, connection, and beautifully obsessive devotion. Standing watch, as always, is Mrs C, the Cockney goldfish, whose telepathic observations are sharp, forthright, and largely unconcerned with chronological decorum. With the appropriate rituals observed, Sophie is granted access to this week’s guide: Arron Lowe — founder of the online community Friends of Ace.
Inspired by Sophie’s portrayal of Ace, Friends of Ace has grown into a welcoming, inclusive space that celebrates not just a character, but the values she represents: courage, loyalty, compassion, and the freedom to challenge injustice. Through community-building, charity initiatives, and shared enthusiasm, Arron has helped transform fandom into something active and connective — a place where admiration becomes action and storytelling sparks real-world solidarity. Together, Sophie and Arron explore how a single character can inspire lasting community, why Ace continues to resonate across generations, and how fandom, at its best, becomes a force for belonging.

You can find us all over your social media.
Bluesky/Instagram/X: @aceodyssey63
Facebook: Sophie Aldred's Ace Odyssey

Follow @FriendsOfAce on Instagram!

For listeners who want even more adventure, you can step inside the Ace Odyssey Patreon Community-
*Episodes released early
*Two exclusive podcasts every month
*Online meet-ups and interactive events
*Direct involvement in the evolving universe of the show
www.patreon.com/aceodyssey

Sophie Aldred's Ace Odyssey stars Sophie Aldred with James Showers as Hobbes.
Special Guests- Carole Ann Ford and Arron Lowe
Music, Sound Effects and Sound Design by Michael Livesley
www.michaellivesley.co.uk
Programme Assistant Liz Whitmore
Written, Produced and Directed by Paul Carmichael.
Sophie Aldred’s Ace Odyssey is an Eh? Aye! Production © 2026
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Set aside whatever reality-maintenance you’re currently engaged in (or pointedly neglecting), check that time is still moving in a broadly cooperative direction, and settle in as we once more step aboard the venerable Nosferatu 2.5 — a ship of such distinguished age that some of its mechanisms operate purely out of habit. Under the steady hand of Sophie Aldred, our journey continues through recollection, creativity, and those curious overlaps where imagination, fandom, and lived experience quietly collide.

At Sophie’s side, as ever, is Hobbes: the ship’s automaton butler, procedural absolutist, and self-appointed guardian of standards. Gleaming, meticulous, and faintly appalled by almost everything, he oversees the ship with a mixture of diligence and weary suspicion — particularly when it comes to unexplained noises, ill-defined anomalies, and the unresolved question of the door that resolutely refuses to open. Together, Sophie and Hobbes negotiate eccentric technology, philosophical detours, and the occasional wobble in causality.

This week, the Time Scoop once again asserts its independence and deposits Tomek Bork — actor, storyteller, and unforgettable as Captain Sorin in the 1989 Doctor Who classic The Curse of Fenric. A Polish-born performer trained in the rigorous traditions of European theatre, Tomek brought a rare gravitas and emotional depth to the role: a doomed naval officer caught between duty, belief, and ancient forces stirring beneath the North Sea. His performance helped ground Fenric’s cosmic horror in human fear and faith, leaving a lasting impression on viewers. Beyond Doctor Who, Tomek’s career spans British television, international film, and a long-standing presence at the Edinburgh Fringe as actor, producer, and mentor. Once the temporal paperwork is reluctantly approved, Tomek joins Sophie on the Sofa of Infinite Understanding to reflect on performance, displacement, and the quiet power of restraint in storytelling.

No voyage aboard the Nosferatu 2.5 would be complete without a descent into the luminous depths of the Ffantaface — that vast, ever-shifting archive of fan memory, interpretation, and lovingly hoarded detail. Keeping watch, as always, is Mrs C, the Cockney goldfish, whose telepathic commentary remains incisive, opinionated, and only loosely tethered to linear time. With suitable appeasement achieved, Sophie is granted access to this week’s guide: Anthony Lamb — artist and illustrator whose work has become a familiar and much-admired presence across the Doctor Who universe.

Anthony has contributed extensively to the visual identity of the range, producing striking artwork and covers for Doctor Who Magazine and related publications. His illustrations capture the breadth of the series — its monsters, heroes, moods, and mythologies — translating complex ideas into instantly recognisable imagery. A creator who understands both the weight of legacy and the freedom of interpretation, Anthony joins Sophie to discuss visual storytelling, the challenges of depicting a constantly evolving universe, and how art helps shape the way fandom remembers, revisits, and reimagines Doctor Who.

You can find us all over your social media.
Bluesky/Instagram/X: @aceodyssey63
Facebook: Sophie Aldred's Ace Odyssey

Sophie's Instagram: @sophie_ace_aldred

Anthony's X: @AnthonyLamb
Anthony's Bluesky: @AntLamb

For listeners who want even more adventure, you can step inside the Ace Odyssey Patreon Community-
*Episodes released early
*Two exclusive podcasts every month
*Online meet-ups and interactive events
*Direct involvement in the evolving universe of the show
www.patreon.com/aceodyssey

Sophie Aldred's Ace Odyssey stars Sophie Aldred with James Showers as Hobbes.
Special Guests- Tomek Bork and Anthony Lamb
Music, Sound Effects and Sound Design by Michael Livesley
www.michaellivesley.co.uk
Programme Assistant Liz Whitmore
Written, Produced and Directed by Paul Carmichael.

Sophie Aldred’s Ace Odyssey is an Eh? Aye! Production © 2026
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.