Why Every Classic Companion Left Doctor Who

28. Maureen O'Brien - Vicki

Susan Foreman
BBC Studios

Vicki is notable for being the first person to be invited aboard the TARDIS. Played by Maureen O'Brien, Vicki became a surrogate granddaughter for the First Doctor. O'Brien's chemistry with William Hartnell meant that the relationship often felt more believable than the one between the Doctor and Susan.

Maureen O'Brien had a difficult time on Doctor Who, eventually complaining to producer John Wiles about the unsatisfying material she was being given. Wiles responded by deciding to write Vicki out of the show - while O'Brien was on holiday! According to Peter Purves, William Hartnell was furious about this, and it likely fueled the feud between the leading man and his producer.

In this post: 
Doctor Who
 
Posted On: 
Contributor
Contributor

Citizen of the Universe, Film Programmer, Writer, Podcaster, Doctor Who fan and a gentleman to boot. As passionate about Chinese social-realist epics as I am about dumb popcorn movies.