Maggie Stables, Doctor Who actress, dies

Doctor Who audio actress Maggie Stables, who originated the role of the first TARDIS traveler unique to the audio medium, dies after a lengthy illness. First appearing in a guest role in Big Finish Productions’ inaugural Doctor Who story, The Sirens Of Time, in 1999, Stables was quickly cast as Dr. Evelyn Smythe, a new companion for the sixth Doctor (Colin Baker) who defied the series’ convention of casting young actresses in such roles. Ms. Stables reprised the role intermittently, making her final appearance in a trilogy of stories released by Big Finish early in 2011; the character appeared in animated form in a 2002 webcast, but never appeared on television.