Unforgettable Goodbye: The Untold Battle to Give a Classic Doctor Who Companion a Heartfelt Farewell

Summary

Sylvester McCoy fought to give his co-star Bonnie Langford a proper sendoff scene after she decided to leave Doctor Who in 1987.

Despite her initial unpopularity, Langford's character Mel Bush delivered powerful performances despite having limited material to work with. Her portrayal made such a lasting impression that she is set to return in 2022, and McCoy himself insisted on including a farewell scene for her.

Doctor Who actor Sylvester McCoy, who played the Seventh Doctor, revealed that he strongly advocated for his co-star and companion to have a fitting sendoff scene after she left the show. Bonnie Langford portrayed Mel Bush, a computer programmer from the 20th century who accompanied the Sixth and Seventh Doctors, initially replacing Nicola Bryant during the "Trial of a Time Lord" story arc. Langford decided to depart the show in 1987, and was subsequently replaced by Sophie Aldred, who played the Doctor’s companion until the series ended in 1989.

In an interview with RadioTimes.com, McCoy expressed his sadness about Langford's decision to leave. He shared that he had to persuade the showrunners, who were initially planning to move on without a proper farewell for his beloved companion, to reconsider. McCoy's full comments can be found below:

"A little bittersweet moment occurred when Bonnie departed. When the announcement of Bonnie's departure was made, it happened to coincide with an episode, which turned out to be fortunate for Sophie [Aldred]. For some undisclosed reason, Bonnie chose to bid farewell, though you would need to inquire with Bonnie for further details. Regardless, she made the decision to leave. Initially, they were ready to let her go without a proper farewell scene, but I voiced my objection. As the Doctor, it just didn't sit right with me that we could simply part ways without a heartfelt moment. Drawing upon my insistence, they managed to locate a scene that I had previously tested on-screen, and they adapted it for our farewell. I distinctly recall the profound emotions that flooded me during that moment, and I was tremendously gratified that I had advocated for its inclusion, allowing me the opportunity to deliver a heartfelt goodbye."

Why Bonnie Langford Left The Doctor Who Show

Bonnie Langford's casting as Mel Bush, the Doctor's programming companion, was met with initial disapproval from both the fanbase and the show's production team. Nevertheless, Langford's portrayal of Mel proved to be exceptional, ultimately convincing the showrunners to retain her character due to her strength and evident talent. However, following her appearance in "Dragonfire" in 1987, Langford expressed her desire to be written out, feeling that she had exhausted all possibilities for further character development.

Mel Bush had very limited opportunities during her tenure. Despite being a programmer, she rarely engaged in actual programming and instead mainly expressed fear whenever a new alien appeared. Nonetheless, Langford still delivered remarkable performances with the minimal material she had, particularly shining in the episodes "Paradise Towers" and "Delta and the Bannermen."

Despite her relatively brief time on Doctor Who, Langford left a memorable impact. This is partly why she was invited back to reprise her role in the 2022 episode "The Power of the Doctor," where she joins Doctor Who's companion support group. Additionally, McCoy insisted on giving her a deserving farewell after her departure from the show, and the showrunners honored his request.

Source: RadioTimes.com