Doctor Who Series 1 Cast: Where Are They Now?

10. Jo Joyner

Doctor Who I Hate Suzie Billie Piper
BBC Studios

The death of Lynda (with a Y) in Series 1 finale The Parting of the Ways is still one of the most haunting Doctor Who moments.

The brave Big Brother contestant is cornered by the Daleks, who blast her into space by shattering the glass window protecting her. It's a tragic scene, in large part because Lynda was so damn likeable. 

At the time, actress Jo Joyner was enjoying a regular role in the Channel 4 show No Angels, created by Doctor Who writer Toby Whithouse – who penned episodes like School Reunion, The God Complex, and The Lie of the Land.

Post-Who, Joyner assumed her most recognisable role to date as Tanya Branning in Eastenders, appearing in 679 episodes between 2006 and 2018. Which is mental.

Jo Joyner Eastenders Tanya Branning
BBC Studios

Interestingly, she also plays Luella Shakespeare in the ongoing series Shakespeare & Hathaway: Private Investigators, alongside the aforementioned Mark Benton. 

Benton was killed in the first episode of Series 1, and Joyner was killed in the last. Life is funny sometimes. 

 
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Jacob Simmons has a great many passions, including rock music, giving acclaimed films three-and-a-half stars, watching random clips from The Simpsons on YouTube at 3am, and writing about himself in the third person.