Why Every Classic Companion Left Doctor Who
23. Anneke Wills - Polly
Polly was Innes Lloyd's vision of a modern companion for the First and Second Doctors, and they picked the perfect actress to play her - Anneke Wills. Not only was Wills part of swinging London's "Chelsea Set", her daughter was called Polly! However, it was Wills' husband Michael Gough who finally convinced her to take on the role, telling her how much fun he'd had on Doctor Who while playing the Toymaker.
Anneke Wills debuted in The War Machines alongside Michael Craze as Ben Jackson, with whom she would also depart a year later in The Faceless Ones. The decision was made to reduce the TARDIS team from four to three, and Michael Craze was facing the axe.
Instead of staying with Patrick Troughton and Frazer Hines, Anneke Wills decided to leave Doctor Who in solidarity with her friend and co-star.