Doctor Who: 10 Best NuWho Recurring Characters

Episodes: School Reunion, The Stolen Earth, Journey's End, The End of Time Part 2

One of the most iconic companions of the Classic Series, the late, great Elisabeth Sladen returned as Sarah Jane Smith in School Reunion. Combining as well with David Tennant's Tenth Doctor as she did with the Third and Fourth incarnations of the Time Lord, Sladen reminded classic fans what they loved about the character and introduced her to new viewers. Her courage and investigative nous helped endear the character to that new generation so that everyone got something from the cathartic goodbye between Sarah Jane and the Time Lord at the end of the episode.

She later returned again in The Stolen Earth and Journey's End, having spent some time leading her own spin off series in the aptly titled Sarah Jane Adventures. Again the character's courage, and Sladen's Whoniverse experience, helped her to stand out against all the other returning characters in a massive battle against the Daleks. Viewers also got to see another aspect of Sarah Jane, her motherly side as she worried about what would happen to adopted son Luke. 

Given how well the iconic Sarah Jane was transcribed over to the new series, linking the two eras of Who, she deserves top spot.