The Untold Story: Tom Baker's Lost Doctor Who Companion Exposes a Hidden Crisis in the Classic Era

Summary

Miriam Margoyles' near-miss as a Doctor Who companion highlights the classic era's narrow vision of what companions should be.

Margoyles' distinctive character and unwillingness to conform to traditional standards could have added a one-of-a-kind flair to the show.

The BBC's decision not to select Margoyles as part of the cast serves as a prime example of the missteps Doctor Who has taken with its companion characters, although progress has been made in recent times.

Tom Baker had a desire to cast a famous comic actor as his companion in Doctor Who, which brings attention to the classic series' view on TARDIS companions. As the Doctor with the longest tenure in Doctor Who's history, Tom Baker had a variety of companions, from the adventurous Leela to the sophisticated Time Lady Romana. Baker's time as the Fourth Doctor was highly acclaimed and popular, and his companions played a crucial role in his success. Fast forward to the present, with Doctor Who celebrating its 60th anniversary, and much has changed.

In the upcoming 2023 Doctor Who specials, Miriam Margoyles will be joining the celebration and portraying Beep the Meep. Margoyles has an extensive career in movies, TV, and theater, with notable roles including Professor Sprout in the Harry Potter movies. Margoyles revealed that Tom Baker advocated for her to be the Fourth Doctor's companion in the 1970s, but his request was promptly rejected by the show's producers. This missed opportunity for Margoyles as a companion raises an important issue with the classic era of Doctor Who.

The Companion Tom Baker Never Had Shows Doctor Who's Stereotype Problem

Miriam Margoyles herself confirms that she did not fit the mold of a typical Doctor Who companion, as they were usually expected to be conventionally attractive. She states, "I wasn't the sort of person they wanted... The whole point was to have a very conventional pretty little thing. I was never that." This sentiment has been shared by others, including Elisabeth Sladen, who played Sarah Jane Smith and felt her character was often limited and lacking depth. Similarly, Mary Tamm, who portrayed the original Romana, departed for similar reasons.

It is clear that there was a consensus among those involved, and even those who were not included, that the BBC had a strict criteria for Doctor Who companions and rarely deviated from it. Miriam Margoyles, if cast, would have brought a refreshing and unconventional approach to the role. As she explains, "He [Tom Baker] thought I was slightly off the wall, and he wanted somebody slightly off the wall." If Margoyles had been chosen as the Fourth Doctor's companion, she would have challenged the established norms, injecting eccentricity, rebellion, and boldness into a role that was typically portrayed in a straightforward and one-dimensional manner, until the introduction of Ace.

The fact that Tom Baker's personal recommendation for a companion actor, who was both experienced and well-known, was rejected by the BBC, illustrates the recurring mistakes that Doctor Who made with its sidekick characters. Even in the modern era, there are occasional instances of falling into the same trap. While significant improvements have been made, companions like Martha, Clara, and Yaz occasionally emanate remnants of Doctor Who's old companion stereotype.

Miriam Margoyles As Tom Baker's Companion Would Have Worked

The pairing of Miriam Margoyles and Tom Baker as the Doctor and his companion would have been exceptional. This is evident in the modern era of Doctor Who, where we see a similar dynamic. Catherine Tate's portrayal of Donna Noble broke away from the typical companion archetype by being bold, outspoken, and unafraid to challenge the Doctor himself. While not identical, both Tate and Margoyles possess a unique ability to deliver comic performances, and it is not difficult to imagine that the relationship between David Tennant's Tenth Doctor and Donna Noble is reminiscent of what could have been between Tom Baker's Fourth Doctor and Miriam Margoyles.

Russell T Davies is revisiting the friendship between Ten and Donna for Doctor Who's 60th anniversary, as it proved to be immensely popular. However, the potential classic duo of the Fourth Doctor and Margoyles was denied due to the BBC's strict standards on appearance and behavior for the Doctor's companions. Fortunately, Doctor Who has evolved since then, but the missed opportunity of Tom Baker and Miriam Margoyles serves as a reminder that pushing boundaries can often enhance a TV show.