Jo Martin (born 29 April) is an English actress and writer. On television, she is known for her roles in the BBC series The Crouches (2003–2005) as Natalie Crouch, Back to Life (2019–2021) as Janice, Holby City (2019–2022) as Max McGerry, and Doctor Who (2020–2022, 2025) as the Fugitive Doctor, Dreaming Whilst Black (2023) as Grace and The Marlow Murder Club (2024–present) as Suzy Harris.
Early life Martin was born on 29 April in Newham, London to Jamaican parents. Her parents arrived in the area in the 1950s. She attended Portway Primary School and Plashet All Girls Secondary School. Her mother died on Christmas Day 2015.
Career Doctor Who
Martin first appeared in the series 12 episode "Fugitive of the Judoon", playing Ruth Clayton, a tourist guide who is later revealed to be an incarnation of the Doctor, placed before the First Doctor, known as the Fugitive Doctor. Martin's Doctor received positive reviews from critics. She reprised her role in the series finale, "The Timeless Children", in the third chapter of Doctor Who: Flux, "Once, Upon Time", and in the 2022 special "The Power of the Doctor". Martin later returned to the role in a cameo appearance in the 2025 episode "The Story & the Engine".
Martin starred in The Fugitive Doctor Adventures, an audio drama series focused on her character produced by Big Finish.
Tales from the Front Line In November 2020, Talawa Theatre Company released Tales from the Front Line. The first film presented a verbatim narrative from a teacher, played by Martin, talking about trying to keep themselves and their pupils safe during the pandemic, the emotional and psychological impact of the global Black Lives Matter movement, and the challenges of supporting students' education during an era of great uncertainty.
Reviews described Martin's performance as "performed so subtly" as to seem real, while being "conversational and natural".
Filmography Film Year Title Role Notes 1988For Queen and Country Pearl 1999 The Murder of Stephen Lawrence Cheryl Stoley 2000The Jolly Boys' Last Stand Tina 2003Cheeky Zoe 2004Tunnel of Love Education Officer 1 2005Batman Begins Police Prison Official Blood Thelma Short film 2007Deadmeat Melanie The Prodigals Leon's Mother Short film 2010 4.3.2.1. Driving Examiner Devil's Playground Scared Person on Street 2011 Chalet Girl Lexi 2012 Say My Name Tercet: Stormy Weather Mother Short film Parking Wars Victoria Short film 2015 Dragonfly Ruby Thomson Mm-Hm Cherie Short film 2016 100 Streets Marie 2018 The Rehearsal Room Jane Short film Been So Long Vivienne 2019 Nine Nights Leonore Haines Blue Story Marco's Mum Dominoes for Beginners 2023 97 Minutes Toyin 2024 Hard Truths Nurse Salon Client 2026 Resident Evil Andrea Vasquez
Television Year Title RoleNotes1989–2004The BillCindy3 episodes 1990Birds of a Feather Joy1 episode1991The Brittas EmpireMrs Walsh1 episode1996The Real McCoyBotney/Various rolesSeries 5Chef!Rochelle2 episodes1998Comedy NationVarious roles2002CasualtyWDS Bridgeman2 episodes2002–2006DoctorsAnne Charlton2 episodes2003 Loose Women As Herself1 episodeMy Family1970s Nurse1 episode2003–2005 The CrouchesNatalie CrouchSeries regular2005Black OutCelia JacksonTV film2006–2007Stupid!Various roles10 episodes2007The ProdigalsLeon's Mother2010Holby CitySandra Minster1 episode2013Wizards vs AliensElizabeth Hatcher1 episode2014EastEndersJudyHollyoaksPetula Delaney3 episodes2015TogetherAnne Griffin2 episodesEmmerdaleNeurosurgeon1 episode2016Still Open All HoursRegistrar1 episodeJonathan CreekNina1 episodeNWSaul DibbTV film2018The Long SongHannah2 episodes2019Silent WitnessGrace Taylor2 episodesFleabagPam1 episode2019–2021Back to LifeJaniceRegular, 9 episodes2019–2020In the Long RunYvonne2 episodes2019–2022Holby CityMax McGerryRegular role2020Casualty1 episodeSmall AxeMrs Bartholemew Episode: EducationLiarReceptionist1 episode 2020–2022, 2025Doctor WhoFugitive Doctor5 episodes2022The FlatsharePauline3 episodesWhitstable PearlDawn Castle1 episodeDeath in ParadiseRakesha Lorde1 episode2023Black OpsJulie4 episodesDreaming Whilst BlackGraceRegular, 5 episodesChampionDawn7 episodesStill UpAngelaEpisode: "The Date"Mrs Sidhu InvestigatesNoraEpisode: "On the Ropes"Grime KidsBernice2024Midsomer MurdersDenise BantrigEpisode: "A Grain of Truth"2024–presentThe Marlow Murder ClubSuzie HarrisMain role2025Missing YouTessie Sewell4 episodesThe SandmanGryphon (voice)Episode: "Long Live the King"
Audio drama YearTitleRoleNotes2024Doctor Who: Once and FutureCoda - The Final ActFugitive Doctor2025Doctor Who: The Fugitive Doctor AdventuresMost WantedDead or Alive2026Doctor Who: Rutans vs SontaransBetrayal at the House of SontarDoctor Who: Circuit BreakerFull Circuit
Audiobooks YearTitleRoleNotes2026Doctor Who: Circuit Breaker: The Deadliest WeaponNarrator
Video Year Title Role Notes2021Doctor Who: Time FractureFugitive DoctorPre-recorded video in theatre play
Web
Year Title RoleNotes 2020The Doctors Say Thank You Herself
Bibliography YearTitleISBNNotes2026Doctor Who: Circuit Breaker: The Kaleidoscope
References
External links