The actor behind one of Doctor Who's first ever companions, teacher Ian Chesterton, was 99.
British actor William Russell , beloved for his role in the early days of Doctor Who as companion Ian Chesterton , has died, the Guardian reports. Russell’s career in television already saw him rise to fame in the UK for his role in the 1950s drama series The Adventures of Sir Lancelot , but it would be his next major TV role that shot him into the hearts and minds of sci-fi fans across the country: Doctor Who ’s Ian Chesterton .
A science teacher at Coal Hill School, Ian discovers alongside his colleague Barbara that one of their students, Susan, lives with her mysterious grandfather in a local junkyard—and inadvertently finds himself, as well as Barbara, pulled into an adventure across Time and Space as the Doctor’s newest travelling companions. Russell played Ian across the first two years of Doctor Who as it shot to British cultural superstardom, before leaving the series in the 1965 serial “The Chase”, which saw Ian and Barbara return to their home time after an adventure with the Daleks. Ian would be mentioned multiple times in the generations since Russell’s departure, establishing him as a key figure back at Coal Hill School. But Russell himself would make a record-breaking return in the 2022 episode “The Power of the Doctor”, reprising his role on-screen as Ian as a member of a support group of former companions of the Doctor. It made Russell the record breaker for the longest gap between TV appearances by an actor playing the same character. Russell is survived by his wife, and their son, actor Alfred Enoch, as well as three children from Russell’s first marriage. Want more io9 news? Check out when to expect the latest Marvel, Star Wars, and Star Trek releases, what’s next for the DC Universe on film and TV, and everything you need to know about the future of Doctor Who.
Doctor Who Doctor Who Specials Barbara In British Television Entertainment Culture Alfred Enoch Mary Celeste Dr. Who Ian Chesterton Susan Doctor Who Magazine Eleventh Doctor The Chase The Daleks Lancelot Remembrance Of The Daleks The Adventures Of Sir Lancelot Tenth Doctor Human Interest The Dalek Invasion Of Earth Gizmodo
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Russell T Davies Wants to Save Doctor Who From the British Governmentio9 sat down Doctor Who's returning showrunner to talk bringing the series to Disney, his approach to telling queer stories, and reuniting with Steven Moffat.
Read more »
Russell T. Davies Explains What's Changed About Making Doctor Who in His ReturnThe Doctor Who showrunner says writing remains the same, but the effects are bigger than ever.
Read more »
Doctor Who's Russell T. Davies Explains the Musical Focus of New SeasonHere's why Doctor Who's newest season features more musical numbers.
Read more »
David Tennant's Return In Doctor Who Gets A Definitive Response From Showrunner Russell T DaviesDavid Tennant as the Fourteenth Doctor sitting and looking satisfied in Doctor Who special episode The Giggle.
Read more »
Russell T. Davies on the Doctor Who Era He Wants to RevisitThe Doctor Who showrunner wants to write a 1970s or 1980s episode.
Read more »
Doctor Who Names the 5 Episodes That Changed the Doctor ForeverNcuti Gatwa as the Fifteenth Doctor and Jodie Whittaker as the Thirteenth Doctor in Doctor Who
Read more »