{"id":47513,"date":"2024-03-08T16:00:21","date_gmt":"2024-03-08T15:00:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.radiotimes.com\/?p=2005383"},"modified":"2024-03-08T16:37:26","modified_gmt":"2024-03-08T15:37:26","slug":"the-women-of-who-doctor-whos-iconic-companions-in-radio-times-archive-photos","status":"publish","type":"rss_feed","link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/radiotimes\/rss_feed\/the-women-of-who-doctor-whos-iconic-companions-in-radio-times-archive-photos\/","title":{"rendered":"The Women of Who: Doctor Who\u2019s iconic companions in Radio Times archive photos"},"content":{"rendered":"

This International Women’s Day, we’re celebrating the women of Who. <\/p>

By Louise Griffin\n \t\t<\/p>

Published: Friday, 08 March 2024 at 15:00 PM<\/p>

\n\n

It\u2019s no exaggeration to say that Doctor Who<\/a> wouldn\u2019t exist without the work of women.<\/p>\n

From the pioneering Verity Lambert<\/a>, the founding producer of the show, and the female directors who have defied the odds<\/a> to helm some of the most beloved episodes of the show, to Jodie Whittaker and Jo Martin<\/a>, who became the first ever female Doctors and the dozens of incredible female companions<\/a> over the years, women have always been at the heart of Doctor Who.<\/p>\n

This International Women\u2019s Day, we\u2019ve delved into the Radio Times<\/strong> archives to revisit some of the iconic female companions who have paved the way for the modern age of Doctor Who.<\/p>\n

Carole Ann Ford<\/strong>, who played the Doctor\u2019s granddaughter Susan alongside William Hartnell, was the first ever companion on Doctor Who, paving the way for the dozens that would come after her.<\/p>\n

She\u2019s been candid about her thoughts on the character,\u00a0previously explaining to RadioTimes.com<\/a> that she wished her character had been more \u201cinteresting\u201d<\/a>, pointing to Billie Piper\u2019s Rose Tyler as an example.<\/p>\n

\"Carole\n<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture>\n<\/div>
Carole Ann Ford as Susan Foreman in Doctor Who.<\/span><\/figcaption> BBC\/Radio Times<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

However, over the past 60 years, viewers have resonated with Susan for a reason. Ford pointed out: \u201cThe idea of her, what I was told after I got the part, was she would be the eyes and ears of the young people watching it, that her reaction would be the perceived reactions of them, so, therefore, they would probably identify with her.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ford later returned to the show in the 20th anniversary special, The Five Doctors<\/a>, and the charity special, Dimensions in Time,<\/a> but she\u2019s yet to return in New Who \u2013 however, she certainly has ideas of how it could happen<\/a>, so watch this space (and time).<\/p>\n

Katy Manning<\/strong> starred as Jo Grant alongside Jon Pertwee as the Third Doctor. An operative of UNIT, it\u2019s safe to say Jo was underestimated by plenty of other characters \u2013 but that made her no less important as a companion.<\/p>\n

\"Doctor\n<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture>\n<\/div>
Doctor Who star Katy Manning photographed in 1971.<\/span><\/figcaption> Gordon Moore<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

Manning faced plenty of villains during her run on the show, including the original Master, played by Roger Delgado, with her exit being one of the most emotional points<\/a> of that era of the show.<\/p>\n

Chatting to RadioTimes.com<\/strong>, she reflected: \u201cIt was so touching because, when you look at it \u2013 and I don\u2019t watch things from the past, to be honest with you \u2013 but when I\u2019ve seen that, I actually still feel the emotion, even talking about it.\u201d<\/p>\n

Since, Manning has returned to the show in The Power of the Doctor and Tales of the TARDIS<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\"Doctor\n<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture>\n<\/div>
Doctor Who star Elisabeth Sladen photographed in 1976.<\/span><\/figcaption> BBC\/Radio Times<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

Elisabeth Sladen<\/strong> has already gone down in Doctor Who history as one of the best and most iconic companions of all time.<\/p>\n

Playing Sarah Jane Smith, she first served as a companion to the Third Doctor before staying to join Tom Baker\u2019s Fourth Doctor on his travels.<\/p>\n

In 2006, Sladen\u2019s own show, The Sarah Jane Adventures<\/a>, premiered, running for five seasons until the actress\u2019s death in 2011.<\/p>\n

\"Tom\n<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture>\n<\/div>
Tom Baker as the Fourth Doctor and Elisabeth Sladen as Sarah Jane Smith in Doctor Who story Planet of Evil.<\/span><\/figcaption> Don Smith\/Radio Times<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

Also unforgettable is Louise Jameson<\/strong> as Leela. She first joined Baker\u2019s Fourth Doctor and left the show in 1978 \u2013 but not before making quite the impact.<\/p>\n

Jameson previously opened up about Leela\u2019s \u201cquestionable\u201d costume<\/a> and slightly underwhelming exit<\/a> from the show. However, thankfully, she was able to reprise her role in an epic Blu-ray short<\/a>, which sees her on the battle field.<\/p>\n

\"Doctor\n<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture>\n<\/div>
Doctor Who star Louise Jameson photographed in 1976.<\/span><\/figcaption> BBC\/Radio Times<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

Janet Fielding<\/strong> joined Doctor Who in 1981 as Tegan Jovanka. A no-nonsense character, she has become a staple in the history of Doctor Who.<\/p>\n

While she departed the show in 1984, Fielding returned in 2022\u2019s The Power of the Doctor<\/a>.<\/p>\n

She previously told SFX<\/a>: \u201cI\u2019ve learnt that Doctor Who has a very rich culture. And a lot of people find it a really good place to escape to.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd what you find over time is that it\u2019s meant a lot to people at various crisis points in their life. You occupy a place in their hearts for that reason. And that\u2019s a very privileged place to be.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Doctor\n<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture>\n<\/div>
Doctor Who star Janet Fielding photographed in 1983.<\/span><\/figcaption> Don Smith\/Radio Times<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

Sophie Aldred<\/strong> became one of the final companions of Classic Who, joining the Seventh Doctor, played by Sylvester McCoy<\/a>, on various adventures.<\/p>\n

She returned in The Power of the Doctor alongside Fielding. Recently chatting to RadioTimes.com<\/strong> to celebrate the 60th anniversary of Doctor Who, Aldred said<\/a>: \u201cI just think it\u2019s brilliant, all these amazing casting choices that Russell T Davies is making.<\/p>\n

\"Sylvester\n<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture>\n<\/div>
Sylvester McCoy as the Seventh Doctor and Sophie Aldred as Ace in Doctor Who.<\/span><\/figcaption> Don Smith\/Radio Times<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

\u201cSo, I think we\u2019re just gonna have a whole new generation and a whole new fanbase for Doctor Who, which is very, very exciting.\u201d<\/p>\n

As Aldred mentions, Doctor Who is still groundbreaking in much of its representation (for example, in the casting of Yasmin Finney<\/a> as Rose Noble), with showrunner Russell T Davies ushering the show into a new age.<\/p>\n

\"Sylvester\n<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture>\n<\/div>
Sylvester McCoy as the Seventh Doctor and Sophie Aldred as Ace in Doctor Who.<\/span><\/figcaption> Don Smith\/Radio Times<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

Meanwhile,\u00a0we\u2019ve got lots to look forward to when it comes to the women of Who, with Millie Gibson<\/a> set to star as Ruby Sunday in season 14, and Varada Sethu<\/a> being cast in season 15.<\/p>\n

Behind the camera, we know that writing duo Kate Herron and Briony Redman will be teaming up to co-write an upcoming episode of\u00a0Doctor Who, while director Julie Anne Robinson will helm episodes in the new season.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>

Doctor Who will return in May. Doctor Who is available on BBC iPlayer and <\/strong>on BritBox \u2013 you can sign up for a\u00a07-day free trial here<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n

\n
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Check out more of our\u00a0Sci-Fi<\/a>\u00a0coverage or visit our\u00a0TV Guide<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0Streaming Guide<\/a>\u00a0to find out what\u2019s on.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Try Radio Times magazine today and get 10 issues for only \u00a310 \u2013\u00a0subscribe now<\/a>. For more from the biggest stars in TV, listen to\u00a0The Radio Times Podcast<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div> <\/body><\/html>\n

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