Doctor Who: 10 More Characters We Want To See Return

2. Leela

Doctor Who Fourth Doctor Leela
BBC

Another former companion to the Fourth Doctor who could still be on Gallifrey is the Seveteem Warrior Leela. Conceived of as an Eliza Doolittle character who would learn about science and etiquette from the Doctor, Leela’s primitive instincts nevertheless came in handy on many occasions. There were to be sure some cringe worthy un-PC moments where the Doctor tried to be her mentor, but Leela also displayed a natural intelligence and a speed of thought in stories such as The Sun Makers.

The character was written out of the show in the most unbelievable manner, with her inexplicably falling for the Chancellery Guard, Andred on Gallifrey. It was as if she’d suddenly morphed into Jo Grant. The need to address this unsatisfying ending is reason enough to bring the character back, just as Toby Whithouse did with Sarah Jane in School Reunion.

Despite only appearing in nine episodes, Leela remains one of the most recognisable and popular companions, featuring in numerous spin off materials. Louise Jameson is still playing the role on audio, has said that if given the call to make a TV come-back she’d jump at the chance.

Contributor
Contributor

Paul Driscoll is a freelance writer and author across a range of subjects from Cult TV to religion and social policy. He is a passionate Doctor Who fan and January 2017 will see the publication of his first extended study of the series (based on Toby Whithouse's series six episode, The God Complex) in the critically acclaimed Black Archive range by Obverse Books. He is a regular writer for the fan site Doctor Who Worldwide and has contributed several essays to Watching Books' You and Who range. Recently he has branched out into fiction writing, with two short stories in the charity Doctor Who anthology Seasons of War (Chinbeard Books). Paul's work will also feature in the forthcoming Iris Wildthyme collection (A Clockwork Iris, Obverse Books) and Chinbeard Books' collection of drabbles, A Time Lord for Change.