As a lifelong sci-fi fan, I still remember when Doctor Who said goodbye to its first ever companion way back on December 26th, 1964 – it was a big deal! The show originally aired in November 1963, and honestly, it’s become a true TV legend. After 62 years, it’s officially the longest-running sci-fi series ever, and it’s had a massive impact on television and pop culture. One of the things that’s kept it going for so long is the constant change – the Doctor can regenerate, bringing in new actors, and companions come and go, keeping things fresh. It’s a brilliant formula!
Sixty-one years ago today, Susan Foreman made history as the first companion to leave the TARDIS and stop traveling with the Doctor. Actress Carole Ann Ford, known for her role in The Day of the Triffids, played Susan, who was introduced as the Doctor’s granddaughter and a fellow Time Lord. She journeyed with the First Doctor (William Hartnell) and his companions Ian Chesterton (William Russell) and Barbara Wright (Jacqueline Hill) until 1964’s “The Dalek Invasion of Earth.” At that point, she decided to stay in London in the year 2164 to be with her new boyfriend, David (Peter Fraser).
Why Susan Left the TARDIS & How Doctor Who Has Already Fumbled Her Return
Over the course of the six-part story “The Dalek Invasion of Earth,” Susan develops a strong connection with David, who rescues the Doctor and aids in the fight against the Daleks. They fall in love, and as the Doctor, Ian, and Barbara prepare to depart, David asks Susan to stay and marry him. The Doctor surprisingly encourages her to go, essentially urging her to start a normal life. This marked the first significant time a companion left Doctor Who, and it set a pattern that every companion since has followed.
Although many companions never return, Susan almost made a full comeback to Doctor Who in 2025. Initially, it seemed she had been harmed during the Master’s attack on Gallifrey and the Time Lords, but the Fifteenth Doctor (Ncuti Gatwa) remained hopeful he would see her again. Susan did reappear in 2025’s “The Interstellar Song Contest” through a series of visions, guiding the Doctor to seek her out. She also made a quick appearance in “Wish World,” but we’re still waiting to see actress Carole Ann Ford fully reprise the role.
Speaking with Cultbox in October 2025, actress Carole Ford shared that she filmed a scene which ultimately didn’t make it into the final version of Doctor Who season 15. The scene was cut after the season’s ending was altered. She described watching the scene – featuring her grandfather celebrating and dancing in a shop nearby – as a missed opportunity, but declined to explain the reasons why it was removed. With Doctor Who set to return in 2026, there’s still a chance Ford could reprise her role as Susan Foreman, though fans were disappointed that earlier hints of her return weren’t realized.
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2025-12-26 16:41