Right from the start, Harriet Jones is earmarked as a noble if slightly scatterbrained character, trying to stand by her constituents and submit a policy despite the Slitheen crisis, and later (very melodramatically) trying to sacrifice herself to the Slitheen so that Rose can escape. But its the climax of World War Three that fully cements her as one of Doctor Whos standout female characters. Taking the authority and potential guilt of destroying the Slitheen from the Doctor onto herself is where she really comes into her own and she ends up as Prime Minister because of it. As well as this, months later she stands by her decision to have the fleeing Sycorax ship shot down even though its a move that ends up ruining her career. But her real crowning moment of glory is using the Subwave Network to bring the Doctor to Earth after it is stolen by the Daleks. A politician with no ostensible computer skills takes a piece of sentient software and develops it to the point where it can automatically seek out the Doctors Companions despite the Doctor ruining her career, and starts actively broadcasting a signal to the Tardis knowing that it will mean her death. An intelligent and noble woman of strong and consistent morals who willingly sacrifices herself for the greater good. Theres not much more you can ask for than that.
JG Moore is a writer and filmmaker from the south of England. He also works as an editor and VFX artist, and has a BA in Media Production from the University Of Winchester.
