Interview | Samantha Bond on returning as Miss Wormwood from The Sarah Jane Adventures

Find out more about Rani Takes on the World at the Big Finish website here: bgfn.sh/1nn
Rani Chandra’s back, and so are Clyde Langer and Luke Smith, in three brand-new full-cast audio adventures in the Rani Takes on the World series, released today from Big Finish Productions.
In The Revenge of Wormwood, Samantha Bond (best-known for her iconic roles in James Bond and Downton Abbey) returns as Mrs Wormwood - leader of malevolent aliens, the Bane - for the first time in 15 years.
Samantha Bond said: “Getting back into character was really rather easy. I hadn’t forgotten her and she hadn’t forgotten me - it's been a lovely experience. I don’t get to play baddies very often and the audio scripts are captivating.”
Anjli Mohindra added: “Samantha Bond is incredible. I remember being really in awe of her performance even way back when. She’s so sinister, strong and poised.”
Daniel Anthony said: “It’s been so great to have Samantha back. It felt like we were back on set with Mrs Wormwood - it was lovely.”
Rani Takes on the World: The Revenge of Wormwood, is available to own for just £19.99 (collector’s edition 3-disc CD box set + download) or £16.99 (download only), exclusively at bigfinish.com.
Time Schisms! by Lizbeth Myles
Podcast fan Anna thinks there’s a time traveller working in her local post office. So, who else should she ask to investigate other than Rani Chandra? Unconvinced at first, Rani is shocked when an old friend warns her off. If UNIT don’t want her looking into it, there must be something to the phenomena… But will Rani’s quest for the truth drive a wedge between her and Luke?
The Star-Crossed Diversion by Alison Winter
After falling asleep on the night tube, Rani and Clyde wake in a nightmare - a future in which the Bane have succeeded in taking over the Earth. Humans are docile cattle, the planet’s resources sold to the highest bidder. Bane Uncle Crispin believes all opposition has been crushed, but the new arrivals are ready to fight. Are they the last hope of resistance? And how can Rani and Clyde ever return home?
The Ghost of Bannerman Road by Jonathan Morris
13 Bannerman Road. The place where it all began, where Rani, Clyde and Luke fought alien menaces with Sarah Jane. Now it’s locked up, derelict and under the watch of UNIT, because top scientists are mysteriously disappearing, and items of alien technology are being stolen from laboratories. An old friend is planning to make her return... and Rani and Clyde have to face their own ghosts.
Producer Emily Cook said: “What an absolute treat to have Samantha Bond return to the world of The Sarah Jane Adventures! It's a testament to the show that these actors are so keen to reprise their roles. We wanted to raise the stakes for Rani and co. in volume two and what could be better than bringing back the Bane?
“Sam resurrected Mrs Wormwood instantly and brilliantly. It brought back chills from my childhood to hear the character again, live in the studio. Sam is such a class act and it was an honour to work with her. How lucky are we? I'm beyond delighted that she's joined the cast for Rani Takes on the World."
Big Finish listeners can purchase Rani Takes on the World: Beyond Bannerman Road and The Revenge of Wormwood together in a bundle from just £33.
All the above prices include the special pre-order discount and are subject to change after general release.

[@2LaneTraveler]

Immediately liked for Samantha's story about her dad.

[@radreelprod]

Ah I love her so much, she's just fabulous! I remember the first time I watched Invasion Of The Bane and saw Samantha on screen as Mrs Wormwood, she was just fantastic 💜

[@andrewhuckle803]

Samantha is a great actress. She was a brilliant Miss Moneypenny. I hope she's in TV Doctor Who one day. Maybe as the return of Lady Peinforte.

[@mikebasil4832]

Thank you, Samantha, for this interview.

[@tj-tj4ks]

great interview but technically Alan Wheatley was the first person on-screen killed by a dalek

[@nickoffury]

Benjamin Cook is that you?

[@MediaArchive2-z9f]

My favourite Moneypenny along with Naomi Harris.

[@Daniels2001Ldn]

This was so incredible, Samantha is amazing! ❤️

[@warrennewman5325]

Great interview good to hear your back 👍

[@whoviangirl3878]

im so excited for this one

[@thedangerousivy]

These stories are fantastic but I wish the characters would return in live-action

[@timelordvictorious]

what a national Treasure she is

[@josephryan362]

Samantha bond is a great actress I love her am Mrs muneypen and she is my second favourite Mrs muneypen and she is just amazing and lovey in everything she is in

[@Super_Mario128]

Brilliant interview with Miss Moneypenny/Wormwood.

[@The_Lost_Subrosian]

Still onatopp of it, Miss Moneypenny

[@MediaArchive2-z9f]

Wormwood is dead though unless Celestial Toymaker and the Trickster saved her and Kaagh from Halwrath.

[@dylan....25945.kgdsdr]

Great to see Miss Wormwood back after so many years 😊. I was wondering, will another of my favourite spin off villains, Captain John Hart be appearing soon? His previous big finish appearances have been brilliant!

[@vanillaconk]

Great set. More to come hopefully?

[@fatu1738]

She should be the next M

[@MarkGate-j4f]

I am so excited that she is back!

[@The_Umpteenth_Doctor]

Release 'Torchwood: Absent Friends'

[@jbcatz5]

Don’t you have anything better to do? Big Finish don’t want to annoy the BBC, who own the rights to Torchwood. It’d be delisted very quickly.