What do you think?
Rate this book
The Fourth Doctor Adventures #1.3
Doctor Who: The Wrath of the Iceni
Britain. The height of the Roman occupation. The Doctor has brought Leela to ancient Norfolk to learn about her ancestors... but has no idea how much of an education she is going to get.
Because this is the time of Boudica’s rebellion. When the tribe of the Iceni rises up and attempts to overthrow the Roman masters.
As Leela begins to be swayed by the warrior queen’s words, the Doctor has to make a decision: save his friend... or save history itself?
Because this is the time of Boudica’s rebellion. When the tribe of the Iceni rises up and attempts to overthrow the Roman masters.
As Leela begins to be swayed by the warrior queen’s words, the Doctor has to make a decision: save his friend... or save history itself?
Audio CD
First published March 31, 2012
1 person is currently reading
86 people want to read
About the author
John Dorney
167 books26 followersJohn Dorney is a British writer and actor best known for stage roles including the National Theatre, the BBC Radio 4 sitcom My First Planet; and his scripts for the Big Finish Doctor Who range. His script 'Solitaire' was rated the most popular Doctor Who Companion Chronicle of 2010 on the Timescales website and was the runner up in Unreality Sci-fi net's poll for Story of the Year 2010-11.
As well as Doctor Who, he has written for Big Finish's Sapphire and Steel series and on radio co-wrote three series of BBC Radio 4's Recorded for Training Purposes. He won the BBC Show Me the Funny 'Sketch Factor' competition, was a finalist in the BBC 'Laughing Stock' competition, and has performed in Mark Watson's Edinburgh Comedy Award winning long shows as 'The Balladeer'. On stage, he has written plays for the Royal Court Theatre, Hampstead and Soho Theatres.
He trained at LAMDA.
As well as Doctor Who, he has written for Big Finish's Sapphire and Steel series and on radio co-wrote three series of BBC Radio 4's Recorded for Training Purposes. He won the BBC Show Me the Funny 'Sketch Factor' competition, was a finalist in the BBC 'Laughing Stock' competition, and has performed in Mark Watson's Edinburgh Comedy Award winning long shows as 'The Balladeer'. On stage, he has written plays for the Royal Court Theatre, Hampstead and Soho Theatres.
He trained at LAMDA.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews
February 26, 2023
A solid little historical story where the focus is mostly on Leela as she contemplates changing history in favor of someone she very much looks up to. It's good, but also short and quite forgettable.
May 31, 2015
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b05x22d1Description: Britain. The height of the Roman occupation. The Doctor has brought Leela to ancient Norfolk to learn about her ancestors... but has no idea how much of an education she is going to get.
Because this is the time of Boudica's rebellion. When the tribe of the Iceni rises up and attempts to overthrow the Roman masters.
As Leela begins to be swayed by the warrior queen's words, the Doctor has to make a decision: save his friend... or save history itself?
Tom Baker is the Fourth Doctor, with his ancient warrior companion, Leela, played by Louise Jameson.
September 5, 2022
A superb pure historical piece that has the Fourth Doctor and Leela meeting Boudica of the Iceni during her bloody rebellion against the Romans.
October 30, 2019
Being an ancient historian and a Dr. Who fan, like 'The Myth Makers' this audio is pretty much a dream come true for me. The Doctor (Tom Baker) and Leela time-travel to Boudica's massacre of Colchester. The Doctor knows what will happen and wants to leave, but Leela is sympathetic to Boudica's plight and joins her rebellion before he can stop her.
This is an absolutely amazing story for Leela - the Doctor's savage. Her joining Boudica is so perfectly in character and gives a chance for both her fighting skills and morality to come into play. She's not merely the Doctor's foil but leading the action.
In fact this is a great story for all the female characters. Ella Kenion is amazing as Boudica, really giving this her all and Nia Roberts holds her own as the serving girl Bragnar. As well as being super female friendly this is also an excellent story. There's a real tension between Leela and the Doctor and for a good while you feel convinced that she's switched sides and abandoned him.
I loved every single second of this one. Highly recommended.
This is an absolutely amazing story for Leela - the Doctor's savage. Her joining Boudica is so perfectly in character and gives a chance for both her fighting skills and morality to come into play. She's not merely the Doctor's foil but leading the action.
In fact this is a great story for all the female characters. Ella Kenion is amazing as Boudica, really giving this her all and Nia Roberts holds her own as the serving girl Bragnar. As well as being super female friendly this is also an excellent story. There's a real tension between Leela and the Doctor and for a good while you feel convinced that she's switched sides and abandoned him.
I loved every single second of this one. Highly recommended.
May 30, 2015
From BBc Radio 4 Extra:
Britain. The height of the Roman occupation. The Doctor has brought Leela to ancient Norfolk to learn about her ancestors... but has no idea how much of an education she is going to get.
Because this is the time of Boudica's rebellion. When the tribe of the Iceni rises up and attempts to overthrow the Roman masters.
As Leela begins to be swayed by the warrior queen's words, the Doctor has to make a decision: save his friend... or save history itself?
Tom Baker is the Fourth Doctor, with his ancient warrior companion, Leela, played by Louise Jameson.
Written by John Dorney and directed by Ken Bentley.
Britain. The height of the Roman occupation. The Doctor has brought Leela to ancient Norfolk to learn about her ancestors... but has no idea how much of an education she is going to get.
Because this is the time of Boudica's rebellion. When the tribe of the Iceni rises up and attempts to overthrow the Roman masters.
As Leela begins to be swayed by the warrior queen's words, the Doctor has to make a decision: save his friend... or save history itself?
Tom Baker is the Fourth Doctor, with his ancient warrior companion, Leela, played by Louise Jameson.
Written by John Dorney and directed by Ken Bentley.
May 19, 2020
I adore the idea of Leela Meets Boudicca. And the play is very well done.
My only quibble is... I was hoping this was going to be set towards the end of her rebellion. It’s not, it’s set at the very beginning, before Colchester even. So the Doctor is judging Boudicca for things she hasn’t done yet. :/
Oh, and they couldn’t say the word “rape” apparently, so the fate of Boudicca’s daughters is conveyed by: “they were....” (pause) (gasp) “Oh no!” So listeners who don’t know the history won’t understand Boudicca’s full motivation.
My only quibble is... I was hoping this was going to be set towards the end of her rebellion. It’s not, it’s set at the very beginning, before Colchester even. So the Doctor is judging Boudicca for things she hasn’t done yet. :/
Oh, and they couldn’t say the word “rape” apparently, so the fate of Boudicca’s daughters is conveyed by: “they were....” (pause) (gasp) “Oh no!” So listeners who don’t know the history won’t understand Boudicca’s full motivation.
July 21, 2015
Leela meets Boudicca. Leela wants to change time. Doctor says no because only he seems to know what breaks the fabric of time and what doesn't. Nothing original here but Tom and Leela are always fun.
June 22, 2021
This has been my favorite so far, the beginning and end tie it up quite well.
May 15, 2021
The best story so far in this season! True hard hitting questions about time travel and the effects the Doctor has when he travels and the hands he has to play in these events! I loved Boudica in this story, as she has a very tragic history and you feel that completely as Tom Baker brilliantly explains quickly but to the point her history and why Leela shouldn't look up to this woman, as she was on a road to revenge and she didn't care who died to achieved here goal even herself, and revenge is not a good thing to follow. But this story was just brilliant, Leela really leads this story and I finally get to understand who she is as a character and companion, im still a romarna fan but Leela is coming up close! 😀
August 27, 2012
the only Fourth Doctor story I can think of which is a pure historical - no sfnal elements at all apart from the Doctor and Leela, turning up in first-century Norfolk to encounter Boudica in the battle against the Romans. The story is a particularly good one for Leela, who becomes fascinated with the warrior queen (once it's been done, you realise that Boudica is the most obvious historical character for her to meet); and we get some twists on the "you can't rewrite history" theme. The first time I listened to it I was doing the family supermarket shoopping, and it seemed to me that the character development for Leela was too abrupt; listening to it again, while changing trains on a long journey through France (which I guess meant I was less distracted) it seemed to work much better. So a bit of a health warning that it depends on your frame of mind, but having read and listened to literally all the spinoff stories featuring Leela, I feel that this is one of the best ones for her in terms of character.
May 8, 2017
The Doctor and Leela arrive in 1st century Norfolk just as Boudicca's Rebellion is getting underway. This is a straight historical, with no aliens or monsters, and, as such has obvious overtones of the First Doctor's era. Leela, naturally enough, identifies with the Iceni, and wants to change history in their favour, while the Doctor is opposed to that, as well as to the general slaughter that's about to unfold.
Despite a few quips to remind us that this is, after all, a Fourth Doctor story, the tone is generally quite grim. Boudicca is a woman wronged (the play only hints at the specifics, but we all know the tale) but also a woman who wants to wreak bloody vengeance on the Romans, and who revels in the resulting death. There is a moral message to the story, too, but it's not overly belaboured, as it was in the previous episode, and it's nice to see Leela for once not being a fish-out-of-water and dealing with people she can readily relate to... even if she's badly misjudged what's going on.
Some of the dialogue does feel rather stilted, probably in an attempt to make the speech seem 'archaic' - although how relevant that is when nobody present is speaking even a very early form of English might perhaps be debated. (Although I thought the fact that most of the Iceni speak with a Welsh accent was a nice touch). And Dorney does have the Doctor repeatedly calling Leela "savage", which makes him sounds more condescending than he did in most of the relevant TV stories.
On balance, this is a good story, a fairly dark historical that gives Leela some good material that's very fitting for her character.
Despite a few quips to remind us that this is, after all, a Fourth Doctor story, the tone is generally quite grim. Boudicca is a woman wronged (the play only hints at the specifics, but we all know the tale) but also a woman who wants to wreak bloody vengeance on the Romans, and who revels in the resulting death. There is a moral message to the story, too, but it's not overly belaboured, as it was in the previous episode, and it's nice to see Leela for once not being a fish-out-of-water and dealing with people she can readily relate to... even if she's badly misjudged what's going on.
Some of the dialogue does feel rather stilted, probably in an attempt to make the speech seem 'archaic' - although how relevant that is when nobody present is speaking even a very early form of English might perhaps be debated. (Although I thought the fact that most of the Iceni speak with a Welsh accent was a nice touch). And Dorney does have the Doctor repeatedly calling Leela "savage", which makes him sounds more condescending than he did in most of the relevant TV stories.
On balance, this is a good story, a fairly dark historical that gives Leela some good material that's very fitting for her character.
August 11, 2025
...this is the time of Boudica's rebellion. When the tribe of the Iceni rises up and attempts to overthrow the Roman masters. As Leela begins to be swayed by the warrior queen's words, the Doctor has to make a decision: save his friend...or history itself?
The Doctor takes Leela back to Earth after the events of The Renaissance Man. After all, how can she experience her history without living it? But this takes the intrepid duo to a dangerous spot, AD 60 at the Siege of Colchester under the reign of Queen Boudica of Eceni. Leela becomes enamored by her wit and her supposed sense of honor, which quickly is revealed as a revengeful and psychopathic blood-lust against not just the Romans but even her own fellow Britons. And as the Doctor wrestles with Leela's "betrayal," he also attempts to save the life of at least one person.
I think the philosophical ideas in this are decently explored for a small serial like this-- Leela's realization halfway through that Boudica may not be all that she appears to be is well acted, hidden away in the moment where she supposedly betrays the Doctor. And it is definitely small (only 4 guest actors!)-- as much as it tries to be big. The one thing that makes it an expansive world is the sound design and soundtrack. My one gripe with this story is that the limited cast detracts from the expansiveness of the story. In an audiobook, we tend to fill in gaps quite imaginatively, and an audio drama is much the same. However, if there were just two more characters or two more actors, it would have felt more like a complete world on its own merit.
The Doctor takes Leela back to Earth after the events of The Renaissance Man. After all, how can she experience her history without living it? But this takes the intrepid duo to a dangerous spot, AD 60 at the Siege of Colchester under the reign of Queen Boudica of Eceni. Leela becomes enamored by her wit and her supposed sense of honor, which quickly is revealed as a revengeful and psychopathic blood-lust against not just the Romans but even her own fellow Britons. And as the Doctor wrestles with Leela's "betrayal," he also attempts to save the life of at least one person.
I think the philosophical ideas in this are decently explored for a small serial like this-- Leela's realization halfway through that Boudica may not be all that she appears to be is well acted, hidden away in the moment where she supposedly betrays the Doctor. And it is definitely small (only 4 guest actors!)-- as much as it tries to be big. The one thing that makes it an expansive world is the sound design and soundtrack. My one gripe with this story is that the limited cast detracts from the expansiveness of the story. In an audiobook, we tend to fill in gaps quite imaginatively, and an audio drama is much the same. However, if there were just two more characters or two more actors, it would have felt more like a complete world on its own merit.
August 24, 2022
Probably the best of the Fourth Doctor range so far (I know its only the third story, but still). Taking the usual formula of meeting a famous person and spending the whole story talking about just how amazing they are, The Wrath of the Iceni instead shows us, or me at least, a side of Boudica that Horrible Histories didn’t, really. Leela’s initial kinship with Boudica seemed very predictable, and its what I very much expected to hear going in, so I’m glad that John Dorney decided to go against the much easier storyline to give us this. The only major fault I could find with my experience of the story is how they handled the Doctor’s role in breaking the laws of time and telling her the truth of what was going to happen in the upcoming battle. As this was the driving force for most of the conflict within the plot, it made it vey disappointing when the Doctor just revealed that he simply lied and there was no real danger of something happening at all. It felt very underwhelming, especially after listening for around 50 minutes at that point. Still, as always its lovely to her Louise Jameson and Tom Baker back in their roles. I think Four and Leela are a TARDIS team that can be very overlooked, since they’re situated between two of the all-time best duos of Four/Sarah and Four/Romana, so it’s really nice to have another series of stories with them as the leads.
February 18, 2022
This Big Finish Productions audio drama is fantastic. Reminiscent of the first Doctor, it is a purely historical drama with no science fiction elements except for time travelers appearance. Leila is intrigued by the warrior queen , Boudicca, and thinking her mission a just one, joins in the battle against the Roman usurpers. The Doctor wants to leave history to unfold as intended and the two find themselves on opposite sides. This story provides Louis Jameson with a great story that revolves around Leila instead of the character merely acting as foil for the Doctor. It was a delightful change of pace offering 3 strong female characters to the Doctors mere appearance as a way to frame the story. It also provides an entertaining history lesson for an era in which most listeners are probably uneducated.
February 4, 2018
Bel épisode historique (et sans extraterrestres) sur l'invasion romaines des Icènes (avec évidemment la reine Boadicée).
Une belle réflexion sur les torts que peuvent avoir les envahisseurs, mais aussi les peuples qui défendent leur territoire et qu'il y a beaucoup plus de zones grises qu'on peut le croire dans l'histoire, mais que les récits permettent, au moins en partie, d'élever cette histoire et d'en inspirer autrement les générations suivantes.
De très loin le meilleur dans la série jusqu'à présent.
Une belle réflexion sur les torts que peuvent avoir les envahisseurs, mais aussi les peuples qui défendent leur territoire et qu'il y a beaucoup plus de zones grises qu'on peut le croire dans l'histoire, mais que les récits permettent, au moins en partie, d'élever cette histoire et d'en inspirer autrement les générations suivantes.
De très loin le meilleur dans la série jusqu'à présent.
October 15, 2021
Doctor Who has many forms, the celebrity historical is one of them. The Doctor and Leela arrive in ancient times and meet the warrior queen Boudica en route to her role in history. The Doctor knows what Boudica's fate will be, but he refuses to get involved. This isn't the crusading Doctor we're used to, this is the Doctor of The Aztecs and Fires of Pompeii. Someone who is unsure what could or should be done.
This is an interesting story for Leela, who thinks she has found a kindred spirit in queen Boudica, but learns almost too late that she is mistaken.
This is an interesting story for Leela, who thinks she has found a kindred spirit in queen Boudica, but learns almost too late that she is mistaken.
July 7, 2024
The Fourth Doctor during the 70s and 80s never got a pure historical due to this type of storyline ending in 1967 at the start of the 2nd Doctor Era. So from the get go this story is very refreshing for 4 and Leela. This story allows both Tom Baker and Louise Jameson to shine as the two actor's characters clash over supporting or not supporting Boudicca. It was an ingenious idea, from writer John Dorney, to have Leela meet the historical figure of Boudicca and this story utilises the drama created from these characters meeting. This is a very strong story and well worth listening too
July 27, 2018
I enjoyed this one. I found it interesting that Leela “betrayed” the Doctor to stand up for what she thought was right. I like that, I really do. Leela is an amazing character, full of surprises.
I also enjoyed the girl who trusted the Doctor. She seemed nice.
I must confess I thought we were going to witness the queens death and defeat on the battlefield. I’m both disappointed and glad that wasn’t the case, though I think it was for the better the way it is now.
I also enjoyed the girl who trusted the Doctor. She seemed nice.
I must confess I thought we were going to witness the queens death and defeat on the battlefield. I’m both disappointed and glad that wasn’t the case, though I think it was for the better the way it is now.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 23, 2019
I tend to like John Dorney's scripts for Big Finish quite a bit and, while there is nothing wrong with this one, there's nothing particularly special about it either. The performances are pretty wonderful and Mr. Baker and Ms. Jamieson are really hitting their stride here, which is why this gets an extra star, but this purely historical (notably the first ever for The Fourth Doctor) play seems to not have an angle.
February 5, 2019
Leela in a historical is a great idea. John Dorney's Wrath of the Iceni does things with Leela that I wish was in the old series.
The Doctor takes Leela to Briton during the Roman occupation to increase her education. What follows on from that is a cracker of a story that I wish was longer than two parts. Louise Jameson is fantastic and everyone else in this story gives it their all. Good stuff.
The Doctor takes Leela to Briton during the Roman occupation to increase her education. What follows on from that is a cracker of a story that I wish was longer than two parts. Louise Jameson is fantastic and everyone else in this story gives it their all. Good stuff.
February 16, 2018
I'm not a huge Leela fan, but she was decent in this one. The only bit that seemed a bit ridiculous was the battlefield acting, which wouldn't have been an issue if it was a written book as opposed to an audio book.
December 2, 2024
This was a well done short story focusing on a meeting between Boadicea and Leela. I thought the author did a fairly good job of fleshing out Boadicea as a historical figure without making her cartoonish. I felt bad for everyone involved to be honest it was a sad situation.
February 4, 2018
Leela the savage finally realises that there's more to life than slaughter
February 7, 2018
I don't know the history enough to know how well this script's position about what happened rates, but this is a good story.
February 28, 2018
Leela goes toe to toe with Boudicca and Tom Baker tries hard not to change history
December 19, 2022
Pretty interesting subject matter; Roman invaders vs. the native inhabitants of Norfolk. If I'm not mistaken, I don't think there's any time meddlers or aliens in it. Well performed.
May 30, 2023
[audiobook]
April 14, 2024
This somehow feels like an early Big Finish story, and yet it came out 2012 and feels like it could’ve taken a bit of inspiration from 2008’s “The Fires of Pompeii.”
August 24, 2025
tom Baker ♥️♥️♥️♥️
Spotify
full cast
Spotify
full cast
December 29, 2025
This is a good story that brings the focus more to Leela and in a good way. She steals the show here and it's great. Reminds me of 5's "Son of the Dragon"
Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews