Kent News - Time on Doctor Who was very rewarding for actress

How to advertise
Contact us
Friday, September 3 2010, 6:37

Search local news and sport:

The latest news, sport, business, entertainment and local information where you live...

Time on Doctor Who was very rewarding for actress

<< Back to home

Lousie with Tom Baker in Doctor Who

It was a nine month job more than three decades ago, but Louise Jameson is still renowned for her role as Leela the leather-clad warrior companion of the fourth Doctor Who.

As David Tennant prepares to end his hugely successful run as the Time Lord with four episodes of the cult hit concluding with a Christmas special, the actress, who lives near Tunbridge Wells, spoke to KOS Media about her part in the sci-fi phenomenon.

Doctor Who is famous for its hoards of obsessive fans and regular conventions are held around the world, which can prove lucrative work for the former stars of the show who put in appearances.

“Obsessive is one word but actually they’ve been my life line to the business,” Ms Jameson said. “I’ve been very blessed and I’m touching wood as I speak, in my career.

“I’ve gone from series to series quite well but during the times when there has not been much, the Doctor Who related jobs have been there, conventions or in the days of video, sci-fi videos.

“It is incredible that a nine month job in 1977 still provides so much work.”

She said she has also done Big Finish, which are audio adventures featuring original cast members that are produced monthly for fans in need of their fix of the time-travelling Doctor in between series.

Ms Jameson, 58, who as Leela travelled with the Doctor, then played by Tom Baker, between The Face of Evil and The Invasion of Time series, said she was paid “nice money” for appearing at the conventions. Her character was a rebellious member of the Sevateem, warrior tribe.

Asked if she was surprised that the imaginative series famed for its once low budget special effects, had become such a phenomenon, she said: “Not any more.

“Once it crossed the generations and the second started to get interested I knew it was here to stay.

“The one now is being run by fans, literally all the people running it watched it when they were younger and now they are creating it all the writers.

“It is amazing they know reams about Doctor Who so many facts and figures.”

In the 80s, Ms Jameson played Susan Young in the detective series Bergerac, which she said was what the people of Tunbridge Wells recognise her for most.

She also played Rosa di Marco the mother of the Italian family that arrived in Albert Square in 1998 and left in 2000.

“In London the role I get recognised for is EastEnders,” she said. “But there is a very specific bunch of fans from my Doctor Who days who are incredibly loyal.”

The actress said she was looking forward to watching latest episode of the BBC One show that aired last Sunday, which she had a friend record.

Of Tennant, whose tenure as the Time Lord began in 2005, she said: “I know him personally but I think he has made the right decision, it has given his career a fantastic boost and now he is going back to classical theatre.”

Matt Smith, who was a slightly controversial choice as the youngest actor yet to take on the role of the Doctor, is set to begin his travels in the Tardis in 2010. Ms Jameson said “he seems quirky and interesting”.

Asked to pick her favourite Doctor she mentioned both Colin Baker, who starred in the series between 1984 and 1986 and Patrick Troughton, who played the role between 1966 and 1969.

Ms Jameson has been keeping busy with local projects including a murder mystery event she is running at The Beacon in Tunbridge Wells next Friday.

She also founded the Sunday Drama College, which has three branches in the south east. The teenagers from the Tunbridge Wells classes will be performing a new musical, Princess Caraboo at Tonbridge Boys School on December 12 and 13.

For more information visit www.sundaydramacollege.com.

POSTED: 22/11/2009 12:00:00

For all your Kent news log on to kentnews.co.uk and pick-up your free midweek local paper; available every Wednesday from all good newsagents, supermarkets and petrol stations.