The Minister of Chance

The Minister of Chance is a fantasy multi-media series created by Dan Freeman and Radio Static. It is a spin-off of the Doctor Who webcast Death Comes to Time, where the titular character first appeared, portrayed by Stephen Fry. Stars of the audio drama series included Sylvester McCoy, Paul McGann and Jenny Agutter.

In 2014 a live action short was filmed based on The Prologue of the audio series, starring Paul McGann and Tim McInnerny, was released. It was funded by the series' international fanbase. Soon after the release, a Kickstarter campaign began in the hope of securing funding for episode one of a Minister of Chance movie. Crowdfunding for the movie was unsuccessful, with only half of the required funds being pledged.

The audio series was remastered in late 2020 and released as a series of 10 minute episodes.

A novel of the series written by Freeman was announced in 2022 by American publisher Arcbeatle Press and released in the same year.

Synopsis
In a world far from our own, Ambassador Durian of Sezuan is dispatched on a peace mission to the primitive island nation of Tanto, but things take a turn for the very, very sinister. In a nearby inn, a mysterious stranger appears, then disappears through a miraculous portal in the forest (he “knows the formula for doors”). The inquisitive teenage barmaid, Kitty follows him, with no shoes and only her superhuman strength to keep her company. Another world awaits, where they will be forced into an alliance to save the Universe, and beyond.

Cast

 * The Minister of Chance - Julian Wadham
 * Kitty - Lauren Crace
 * Professor Canta - Jenny Agutter
 * Durian - Paul McGann
 * The Witch Prime - Sylvester McCoy
 * The Sage of the Waves - Tamsin Greig
 * The Summer King - Philip Glenister

Reception
WIRED heavily praised the series, calling it, "Superbly acted, with an amazing cast of characters, and with rich, lavish, immersive soundscapes." Similarly, Elisabeth Mahoney of The Guardian called the series an, "ambitious and innovative project" and praised the sound design. Dylan Rees also praised the series and noted that it was not as much a spin-off of Doctor Who as it was its own thing, comparing it to the works Terry Pratchett.

The series won the 2013 Parsec Award for Best Speculative Fiction Audio Drama (Short Form).

Synopsis
Another world: Kitty is a barmaid at the Traveller's Rest in the occupied city of Tantillion. One night, a stranger walks in, and through a door and over the Frost Bridge between worlds - and Kitty follows him.

Cast

 * Durian - Paul McGann
 * The King - Tim McInnerny
 * Major Apper - Simon Bugg
 * Spider Guard - Beccy Meany
 * The Spider - Richard Oliver
 * Princess Didi - Scribble
 * Segway Rider - Lee Oulton

Reception
In Dylan Rees' reference book Downtime - The Lost Years of Doctor Who, Rees praised the film for the locations and effects, as well as McInnery's performance as the Minister. He did, however, criticize the use of DSLR cameras, stating that it, "leaves the film looking cheap and amateur".

Synopsis
“I know the formula for doors,” says the Minister, vanishing through the one he has just created in mid air. Teenage barmaid Kitty isn’t the sort to be dismissed easily, though. Armed only with her bad attitude, foul mouth and mysterious strength, she follows him through the glowing doorway, onto the frost bridge between worlds, and into adventure.