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Deborah Watling
Deborah Watling
Deborah Watling
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Deborah Patricia Watling[1] (2 January 1948 – 21 July 2017) was an English actress who played the role of Victoria Waterfield, a companion of the Second Doctor in the BBC television series Doctor Who from 1967 to 1968.[2][3] She began her career as a child actress, making her debut as a regular in The Invisible Man (1958–1959). Watling also starred in the films Take Me High (1973) with Cliff Richard and That'll Be the Day (1973) with David Essex as well as playing Julie Robertson in The Newcomers (1969) and Norma Baker in Danger UXB (1979) on television.

Key Information

Early life

[edit]

Watling was born 2 January 1948[4] at the Queen Charlotte's and Chelsea Hospital in London, the daughter of actors Jack Watling and Patricia Hicks. Her brother Giles and her half-sister, Dilys, were also actors.[5] She was raised in Epping until the family moved to the 16th-century Alderton Hall in Loughton, Essex.[6] Educated at Braeside School in Buckhurst Hill, Watling considered becoming a dentist before enrolling at the Italia Conti Stage School.[5] Watling made her film debut aged three and started playing background roles in her father's films. During one of her half-sister's parties, Watling started talking to a boy who turned out to be Michael Craze from whom she would take over as a companion in Doctor Who many years later.[5]

Career

[edit]

Beginning as a child actress, Watling had a regular role as the niece of Peter Brady in The Invisible Man (1958) television series. She was later cast for the lead role in Alice (1965),[7] Dennis Potter's play about Lewis Carroll and Alice Liddell, for the BBC's The Wednesday Play. She co-starred with Cliff Richard in the 1973 film Take Me High,[8] and the same year had a small role in the film That'll Be the Day.[9] She played Norma Baker in the ITV series Danger UXB (1979),[10] and appeared regularly in the theatre.[11]

Watling, with Patrick Troughton, during the filming of The Abominable Snowmen

According to the short BBC Video documentary The Dalek Factor about the making of the story, released in September 2021 as part of the animated restoration of the serial, Denise Buckley was cast in the role of Victoria Waterfield by director Derek Martinus. The production team had been hoping that Pauline Collins would continue in the role of Samantha Briggs, that she had played in the previous story The Faceless Ones, but had created Victoria as a potential ongoing character should Collins decline. When Collins confirmed she did not want to join the regular cast, it was decided to introduce Victoria as the new companion and Denise Buckley was released, but paid in full, with Watling replacing her as a more suitable actress for the continuing role.[12] Watling played Victoria in Doctor Who from 1967 to 1968,[13] though owing to the BBC's wiping policy of the time, The Tomb of the Cybermen (1967) and The Enemy of the World (1967–1968) are the only serials in which she appeared that still exist in their entirety. She also appeared in Dimensions in Time (1993)[14] and Downtime (1995).[15] Her favourite Doctor Who story was Fury from the Deep.

Watling also appeared in the Doctor Who audio drama Three's a Crowd and regularly attended Doctor Who conventions and events. In November 2013, she appeared in the one-off 50th anniversary comedy homage The Five(ish) Doctors Reboot.[16]

Personal life

[edit]

In her later years, Watling lived with her husband in Thorpe-le-Soken, Essex, where she directed the local pantomimes.[17] Her autobiography, entitled Daddy’s Girl, was published in 2010.[17]

Watling died on 21 July 2017, aged 69, at Beaumont Manor nursing home in Frinton-on-Sea, six weeks after being diagnosed with lung cancer.[18][19]

Filmography

[edit]

Film

[edit]
Year Film Role Notes
1973 That'll Be the Day Sandra
1973 Take Me High Sarah Jones
1977 Where Time Began Glauben Voice; English version
1995 Downtime Victoria Waterfield Direct-to-video
2000 Out of Site Mrs Pearson
2001 Possessions Lady Winkworth

Television

[edit]
Year Title Role Notes
1958–1959 The Invisible Man Sally Wilson 11 episodes
1959 The Adventures of William Tell First Child Episode: "The Spider"
1960 A Life of Bliss Carol Fellows 6 episodes
1965 The Wednesday Play Alice Liddell Episode: "Alice"
1966 Gretchen Westermann Episode: "Calf Love"
The Power Game Jennifer Episode: "Late Via Rome"
This Man Craig Clare Maitland Episode: "Period of Adjustment"
Out of the Unknown Sarah Richards Episode: "The World in Silence"
Horizon Sophy Episode: "Hand Me My Sword, Humphrey"
1967 No Hiding Place Valerie Forbes Episode: "A Girl Like You"
1967–1968 Doctor Who Victoria Waterfield 40 episodes
1969 The Newcomers[6] Julie Robertson 26 episodes
1971 Crime of Passion Leonie Juhan Episode: "Magdalena"
1972 ITV Sunday Night Drama Nurse Beverly Episode: "Old Newsome"
Doctor in Charge Emma Livingstone 2 episodes
1973 Late Night Theatre Annabelle Walsh Episode: "Death to the General"
Jane Episode: "The Gypsy's Revenge"
Arthur of the Britons Thuna Episode: "The Slaves"
1977 A Roof Over My Head Maureen Episode: "A Roof Over My Head"
1978 Rising Damp Lorna Episode: "Hello Young Lovers"
Lillie Georgie Reed Episode: "Sunset and Evening Star"
1979 Danger UXB Norma Baker 7 episodes
Accident Miriam Saxon Episode: "Ends and Ways"
1981 The Jim Davidson Show Various 5 episodes
1993 Doctor Who: Dimensions in Time Victoria Waterfield TV short (Part Two)
2013 The Five(ish) Doctors Reboot Deborah Watling TV film

Audio dramas

[edit]
Year Title Role
2005 Doctor Who: Three's a Crowd Auntie[20]
2008 Doctor Who: The Great Space Elevator Victoria Waterfield[21]
2010 Doctor Who: The Emperor of Eternity Victoria Waterfield[22]
2012 Doctor Who: Power Play Victoria Waterfield[23]
2015 Doctor Who: The Black Hole Victoria Waterfield[24]
2016 Doctor Who: The Second Doctor Volume One Victoria Waterfield[25]

References

[edit]
[edit]
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Deborah Watling

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Deborah Watling (2 January 1948 – 21 July 2017) was an English renowned for her portrayal of Victoria Waterfield, a companion to the Second Doctor in the series , which she played from 1967 to 1968. Born in , , to actors and Patricia Hicks, she began her career as a child performer and appeared in various television and film roles before and after her iconic stint on the long-running show. Watling passed away from at the age of 69, leaving a legacy as one of the early companions who helped define the series during its black-and-white era. Watling entered the acting world at age 11 with a debut in the television series , followed by a regular role in (1958–1959) and appearances in A Life of Bliss. Growing up in a theatrical family, she attended stage school briefly after struggling with her O-level exams but quickly transitioned to professional work, including the title role in a stage adaptation of . At 19, she auditioned successfully for , embodying the Victorian-era character Victoria across ten serials, from to , opposite as the Doctor. Her performance brought a sense of historical innocence and emotional depth to the companion role, making Victoria a memorable figure in the show's early history. Following her departure from in 1968 due to concerns over , Watling continued in British television and film, notably starring as the female lead opposite in the musical (1973) and as Sandra in the coming-of-age drama (1973), which featured and . She also appeared in the The Newcomers (1969–1970), the Lillie (1978), and guest roles in shows like (1978). Her career tapered off in the , with occasional television spots, though she was unable to appear in a cameo for the special (1983) due to a prior commitment on The Dave Allen Show. Watling's contributions to British entertainment, particularly her pivotal role in shaping 's companion archetype, have endured through fan appreciation and retrospective tributes.

Early life

Family background

Deborah Watling was born on 2 January 1948 in , , though some records place her birthplace in , . She was the daughter of actors and Patricia Hicks, both established figures in the British entertainment industry. The Watling family embodied a classic showbiz dynasty, with acting permeating every aspect of their lives. Jack Watling had a prolific career spanning over 50 feature films, numerous West End stage productions, and extensive television work, including notable roles in The Plane Makers (1963–1964) and The Power Game (1965). Patricia Hicks, an experienced stage actress, largely retired from performing to focus on raising the family after marrying Jack in 1947. Their children—Deborah, her brother Giles (also an actor and later a ), sister Nicky, and elder half-sister Dilys—all pursued careers in acting, fostering a household immersed in the . Watling spent her early childhood in , before the family relocated to the historic Alderton Hall, a grade II-listed 16th-century property in . From a very young age, she gained early exposure to the entertainment world through her family's connections, appearing as an extra in several of her father's films starting around age three. This informal immersion in set environments laid the groundwork for her own entry into the industry.

Education and early training

Deborah Watling attended Braeside School in , , as part of a peripatetic early education that she later described as unenjoyable. Growing up in an acting family, with her father and mother Patricia Hicks both established performers, she initially considered a career in but was deterred by the prospect of further examinations. This familial background, which included siblings also pursuing acting, encouraged her to prioritize performance over traditional academics from a young age. At age 16, Watling left school without any O-level qualifications, having failed her exams. She subsequently enrolled at the Stage School in for formal acting training, but her time there was brief, lasting less than a term as she found the structured approach unhelpful and opted instead for practical experience in the industry. This decision reflected her early immersion in acting, beginning with background roles in her father's films at age three, which solidified her commitment to a professional career without extended academic preparation.

Professional career

Early television and film roles

Deborah Watling began her acting career as a child, appearing as an extra in films starring her father, , from the age of three. Her professional television debut came at age 10 in the ITV series (1958–1959), where she portrayed Sally Wilson, the niece of the titular invisible scientist Peter Brady, in a recurring role across 11 episodes. This early part established her in the industry, showcasing her ability to handle supporting roles in adventure-oriented programming during the late . In the early 1960s, Watling continued building her television resume with a regular role as Carol Fellows, the niece of the shy protagonist played by George Cole, in the sitcom A Life of Bliss (1960), appearing in six episodes. This comedic turn highlighted her versatility as a young actress transitioning from child to adolescent parts. She also made her stage debut around this time, playing Jan Dungavel in Roar Like a Dove at the Frinton Summer Theatre in 1960. By mid-decade, Watling took on more dramatic roles, including the title character in Dennis Potter's Alice (1965), a Wednesday Play episode exploring the relationship between and , which aired when she was 17. Watling's pre-breakthrough years involved guest appearances in various anthology and series formats, such as episodes of The Power Game (1966), Our Man Craig (1966), and Out of the Unknown (1966), allowing her to gain diverse experience in both contemporary drama and science fiction. These roles, often requiring her to balance demanding schedules as a teenager in the burgeoning British television landscape, laid the groundwork for her later prominence, though early film opportunities remained limited compared to her television work.

Doctor Who role

Deborah Watling was cast as Victoria Waterfield, the companion to Patrick Troughton's , after Innes Lloyd was inspired by her appearance on the cover of promoting a production of . She debuted in the 1967 serial , portraying the character across 40 episodes from 1967 to 1968. Victoria Waterfield was established as a sheltered Victorian from 1866, whose father, Professor Edward Waterfield, was killed by while aiding the Doctor's escape; orphaned and displaced in time, she joined the crew with the Doctor and for adventures including encounters with , , and . To embody the character's 19th-century origins, Watling adopted a refined Victorian accent and wore elaborate period costumes, such as crinolines and bonnets, which highlighted Victoria's naivety and contrasted with the series' sci-fi elements. Watling departed the series after the 1968 serial , where Victoria chose to remain on contemporary Earth with a adoptive family, citing exhaustion from the demanding filming schedule and concerns from her family about the role's intensity. Despite her brief tenure, Watling maintained a long-term association with , reprising Victoria in the 1993 charity special alongside multiple Doctors.

Later projects and audio work

Following her departure from Doctor Who in 1968, Watling continued her acting career with several notable film roles in the early 1970s. In 1973, she starred as Angela in Take Me High, a musical comedy directed by David Askey, where she played the love interest to Cliff Richard's character, a banker who becomes a rock singer. The film featured original songs and showcased Watling's singing abilities alongside Richard. That same year, she appeared as Sandra in That'll Be the Day, a coming-of-age drama directed by Claude Whatham, co-starring David Essex as a restless young man and Ringo Starr in a supporting role as his friend. The movie, inspired by the early life of John Lennon, highlighted Watling in a key romantic subplot and received praise for its nostalgic portrayal of 1950s British youth culture. On television, Watling took on varied supporting roles throughout the and , diversifying beyond . She portrayed Norma, the daughter of a pub landlady, in the drama series (1979), appearing in the episode "," where her character becomes romantically involved with a officer amid . This role in the ITV series, produced by , allowed Watling to explore dramatic tension in a historical setting, contributing to the show's acclaimed depiction of wartime heroism. Earlier, in 1972, she guest-starred in episodes of , a spin-off of Doctor in the House, playing the character Emma Livingstone in comedic scenarios involving medical mishaps. These television appearances demonstrated her versatility in both light-hearted and serious genres. In the 2000s, Watling returned to her iconic Doctor Who role through audio productions, reprising Victoria Waterfield for Big Finish Productions. Her first Big Finish appearance was in 2005, but she became a regular in the Companion Chronicles range, narrating solo stories like The Great Space Elevator (2010), where Victoria recounts a perilous adventure on a futuristic orbital structure. She also featured in The Lost Stories series, voicing Victoria in Power Play (2012), an adaptation of an unmade 1980s script originally intended for the Sixth Doctor, involving political intrigue and alien threats. Starting in 2015, Watling starred in The Early Adventures range, including The Black Hole, opposite Frazer Hines as Jamie McCrimmon; this four-part story, set between The Enemy of the World and The Web of Fear, depicted the companions trapped in a collapsing space station, blending classic-era storytelling with modern audio effects. These productions extended Victoria's narrative arc, exploring her post-Doctor Who life and earning acclaim for Watling's emotive performances that captured the character's Victorian innocence and growth. Throughout the 2000s and 2010s, Watling served as an ambassador for at fan conventions and events worldwide, sharing anecdotes from her tenure and connecting with generations of fans. She attended major gatherings such as Gallifrey One in and ChicagoTARDIS, participating in panels, Q&A sessions, and signings that celebrated the show's legacy. Her warm presence and insights into working with helped foster community among enthusiasts, solidifying her status as a beloved figure in the franchise's ongoing cultural impact.

Personal life

Marriages and family

Deborah Watling was born into an acting family, the daughter of actors and Patricia Hicks, with an elder maternal half-sister, , a brother, , and a sister, Nicky Watling, all of whom pursued careers in acting. Watling's first marriage was to Nicholas Field in 1980; the union ended in divorce three years later, and the couple had no children. In 1982, she began a relationship with sound engineer Steve Turner, whom she married in 1992; the couple had no children and resided together in the village of , , where Watling enjoyed a quieter life away from the public eye following her active years in .

Autobiography and later activities

In the early 2000s, following a return to summer theatre seasons in , Watling largely retired from regular acting pursuits, redirecting her energies toward personal writing and selective public engagements. She published her , Daddy's Girl, in 2010, co-written with Paul W.T. Ballard and released by Fantom Publishing, in which she reflected extensively on her father Jack Watling's profound influence on her life and career, as well as candid accounts of her experiences in theatre, film, and television. Throughout the 2000s and 2010s, Watling remained engaged with the community, frequently attending fan conventions worldwide, contributing to DVD commentaries, participating in interviews, and appearing in related documentaries, where her enthusiasm endeared her to audiences.

Death and legacy

Illness and death

In June 2017, Watling was diagnosed with . Six weeks later, on 21 July 2017, she died at the age of 69 in Beaumont Manor nursing home in , , following a short battle with the disease. Her brother, MP , announced the news to the media, describing her as a "lovely, lovely girl, bubbly and vibrant" who would be "sorely missed." A private was subsequently held for family and close friends.

Tributes and influence

Following her death in 2017, Deborah Watling received widespread tributes in major media outlets, highlighting her enduring status as a beloved figure in history. The Guardian's obituary described her portrayal of Victoria Waterfield as central to "some of the programme’s most memorable adventures," praising the "infectiously warm" dynamic she shared with and , which endeared her to generations of fans. Similarly, the noted her role in 40 episodes across seven serials, emphasizing her significance as a companion to Doctor and her return in the 1993 charity special , which underscored her lasting connection to the series. Her brother, MP Giles , described her as a "lovely, lovely girl, bubbly and vibrant," who would be "sorely missed" by the community. Watling's legacy extended through her active engagement with fans at conventions worldwide, where she was celebrated for her warmth and accessibility; producers at , a key licensee for audio dramas, recalled her as a "joy to work with" and noted her inclusive presence at events, fostering deep affection among attendees. Posthumously, this appreciation persisted in online communities and fan gatherings, with her contributions often honored in discussions of classic-era companions. In 2023, the spin-off series Doctor Who: Tales of the featured a poignant tribute to Watling, with ' reflecting on Victoria's departure in an emotional scene that resonated with viewers, affirming her character's emotional weight in the franchise's narrative tapestry. The character of Victoria Waterfield has maintained significant popularity in 's expanded media, influencing the portrayal of historical companions in later stories. Watling reprised the role in Big Finish audio productions, including The Great Space Elevator (2010) and The Black Hole (2015) from the Companion Chronicles and Early Adventures ranges, where Victoria's Victorian-era perspective provided a contrast to more modern companions, enriching explorations of time travel's psychological toll. These audios, along with her appearance in the 1995 video spin-off , extended Victoria's arc under the influence of the Great Intelligence. Retrospective releases of Watling's serials have further cemented her influence, with BBC editions featuring her contributions to commentaries and documentaries. Key examples include the 2021 Blu-ray of with newly animated episodes, the 2020 release of (her final serial) incorporating animation and extras, and the 2022 Blu-ray of , all of which highlight her performances against iconic foes like and . These restorations, up to 2023, have introduced her work to new audiences, ensuring Victoria Waterfield's role as a symbol of the show's early emotional depth remains a touchstone for .

Filmography

Film

Deborah Watling's contributions to feature films were relatively sparse compared to her extensive television work, spanning only a handful of roles primarily in the 1970s. Her film appearances often featured her in supporting capacities alongside prominent actors of the era.
YearTitleRole
1973Jean
1973Sarah Jones
1977Glauben (voice)

Television

Deborah Watling began her television career as a child actress in the late 1950s and continued with a mix of regular and guest roles in British series through the and , often portraying young women in dramatic or adventure contexts. Her early breakthrough came in the series (1958–1959), where she played Sally Wilson, the niece of the protagonist, appearing in 11 episodes. She followed this with a regular role in the A Life of Bliss (1960). Watling's most prominent television role was as Victoria Waterfield in (1967–1968), the Victorian-era companion to the Second Doctor, appearing in 40 episodes across seven serials: , , , , , , and . This performance highlighted her ability to convey vulnerability and resilience in high-stakes adventures. In the , she took on guest spots. Later, she played Norma Baker, a landlady's flirtatious daughter, in the drama (1979), appearing in multiple episodes that explored wartime teams.

Audio dramas

Following her retirement from on-screen television work, Deborah Watling focused on in audio dramas, most notably reprising her iconic role as Victoria Waterfield in ' series. That same year, she voiced the character Auntie in ( Main Range #69), a adventure also featuring Davison, Sutton, and Fielding. Watling first reprised Victoria in the Big Finish Doctor Who: The Companion Chronicles range with The Great Space Elevator in 2008, a monologue-style story set during her televised tenure with the Second Doctor. She continued in this series with The Story of Extinction (2009), co-starring as and narrated by both actors to recount a lost adventure. Additional Companion Chronicles appearances included The Emperor of Eternity (2011, re-released in The Second Doctor Volume 01 in 2013), again with Hines. From 2015 onward, Watling prominently featured in Big Finish's Doctor Who: The Early Adventures series, which recreated the style of episodes with full casts and narration. She voiced Victoria in multiple installments alongside Hines as and archival audio of as the , including The Black Hole (2015, series 2.3), Shadow Planet (2016, series 3.2), The Transcendence of Ephros (2016, series 3.3), and The Emperor of Eternity (2017, series 4.1—her final role, released shortly before her death). These productions, along with others like (2012, a story with David Warner voicing a new take on the Doctor), allowed Watling to expand Victoria's adventures in audio format. By 2017, her Big Finish output encompassed approximately 20 audio stories, primarily centered on but extending her voice work in the medium.

References

  1. https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-40684318
  2. https://www.filmreviewdaily.com/in-memoriam/deborah-watling
  3. https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2017/jul/24/deborah-watling-obituary
  4. https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0914449/bio/
  5. http://www.shannonsullivan.com/drwho/bio/deborah-watling.html
  6. https://www.the-independent.com/news/obituaries/deborah-watling-actress-whose-short-stint-as-a-doctor-who-companion-made-a-lasting-impression-a7862891.html
  7. https://www.theguardian.com/news/2001/may/25/guardianobituaries.filmnews
  8. https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-essex-67506406
  9. https://www.telegraph.co.uk/obituaries/2017/07/27/deborah-watling-actress-played-doctor-assistant-obituary/
  10. https://www.scotsman.com/news/obituary-deborah-watling-the-archetypal-sixties-doctor-who-companion-1444216
  11. https://www.independent.co.uk/news/obituaries/deborah-watling-actress-whose-short-stint-as-a-doctor-who-companion-made-a-lasting-impression-a7862891.html
  12. https://guide.doctorwhonews.net/person.php?name=DeborahWatling
  13. https://www.doctorwho.tv/characters/victoria-waterfield
  14. https://screenrant.com/doctor-who-companions-actors-leave-quit-reasons/
  15. https://deadline.com/2017/07/deborah-watling-dead-former-doctor-who-assistant-was-69-1202133026/
  16. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0078593/
  17. https://www.bigfinish.com/news/v/rip-deborah-watling
  18. https://www.bigfinish.com/releases/v/doctor-who-the-black-hole-1078
  19. https://tardis.fandom.com/wiki/Power_Play_(audio_story)
  20. https://www.thetimes.com/uk/article/obituary-deborah-watling-b7lqsv97x
  21. https://archive.org/details/daddysgirlautobi0000watl
  22. https://www.clactonandfrintongazette.co.uk/announcements/deaths/deaths/15447418.Deborah_Patricia_Watling/
  23. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-40684318
  24. https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/name/deborah-watling-obituary?pid=186155640
  25. https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/sci-fi/doctor-who-tales-tardis-deborah-watling-newsupdate/
  26. https://criticalpopcorn.com/2021/09/13/doctor-who-the-evil-of-the-daleks-1967-review-and-blu-ray-preview/
  27. https://thedoctorwhocompanion.com/2020/08/03/fury-from-the-deep-animation-to-be-released-on-dvd-blu-ray-and-steelbook-in-september-2020/
  28. https://www.amazon.ca/Doctor-Who-Abominable-Patrick-Troughton/dp/B09MF7DS6P
  29. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0075389/fullcredits
  30. https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0914449/
  31. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0051285/
  32. https://www.bbc.co.uk/doctorwho/classic/episodeguide/people/deborah_watling.shtml
  33. https://www.bigfinish.com/releases/v/three-s-a-crowd-235
  34. https://www.bigfinish.com/releases/v/doctor-who-the-companion-chronicles-the-great-space-elevator-466
  35. https://www.bigfinish.com/releases/v/the-second-doctor-volume-01-1329
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