Deborah Patricia Watling (2 January 1948 – 21 July 2017) was an English actress who played the role of Victoria Waterfield, a companion of the Second Doctor in the BBC television series Doctor Who from 1967 to 1968.A critical history of Doctor Who on television, John Kenneth Muir, McFarland & Co (1999), p.144 She began her career as a child actress, making her debut as a regular in The Invisible Man (1958–1959). Watling also starred in the films Take Me High (1973) with Cliff Richard and That'll Be the Day (1973) with David Essex as well as playing Julie Robertson in The Newcomers (1969) and Norma Baker in Danger UXB (1979) on television.
Early life Deborah Patricia Watling was born 2 January 1948 at the Queen Charlotte's and Chelsea Hospital in London, the daughter of actors Jack Watling and Patricia Hicks. Her brother Giles and her half-sister, Dilys, were also actors.. She was raised in Epping until the family moved to the 16th-century Alderton Hall in Loughton, Essex. Educated at Braeside School in Buckhurst Hill, Watling considered becoming a dentist before enrolling at the Italia Conti Stage School. Watling made her film debut aged three and started playing background roles in her father's films. During one of her half-sister's parties, Watling started talking to a boy who turned out to be Michael Craze from whom she would take over as a companion in Doctor Who many years later.
Career Beginning as a child actress, Watling had a regular role as the niece of Peter Brady in The Invisible Man (1958) television series. She was later cast for the lead role in Alice (1965), Dennis Potter's play about Lewis Carroll and Alice Liddell, for the BBC's The Wednesday Play. She co-starred with Cliff Richard in the 1973 film Take Me High,Cliff Richard: The Biography, Steve Turner, Lion Books (2008), p.257 and the same year had a small role in the film That'll Be the Day. She played Norma Baker in the ITV series Danger UXB (1979),Variety international showbusiness reference, Mike Kaplan, Garland Publications (1981), p.687 and appeared regularly in the theatre.
According to the short BBC Video documentary The Dalek Factor about the making of the story, released in September 2021 as part of the animated restoration of the serial, Denise Buckley was cast in the role of Victoria Waterfield by director Derek Martinus. The production team had been hoping that Pauline Collins would continue in the role of Samantha Briggs, that she had played in the previous story The Faceless Ones, but had created Victoria as a potential ongoing character should Collins decline. When Collins confirmed she did not want to join the regular cast, it was decided to introduce Victoria as the new companion and Denise Buckley was released, but paid in full, with Watling replacing her as a more suitable actress for the continuing role.BBC Video. ASIN: B098412KTK. Release date: 27 Sept. 2021 Watling played Victoria in Doctor Who from 1967 to 1968, though owing to the BBC's wiping policy of the time, The Tomb of the Cybermen (1967) and The Enemy of the World (1967–1968) are the only serials in which she appeared that still exist in their entirety. She reprised the role in Dimensions in Time (1993) and Downtime (1995). Her favourite missing Doctor Who story was Fury from the Deep.
Watling also appeared in the Doctor Who audio drama Three's a Crowd and regularly attended Doctor Who conventions and events. In November 2013, she appeared in the one-off 50th anniversary comedy homage The Five(ish) Doctors Reboot."The Five(ish) Doctors Reboot", BBC programmes, retrieved 26 November 2013
Personal life In her later years, Watling lived with her husband in Thorpe-le-Soken, Essex, where she directed the local pantomimes. Her autobiography, entitled Daddy’s Girl, was published in 2010.
Watling died on 21 July 2017, aged 69, at Beaumont Manor nursing home in Frinton-on-Sea, six weeks after being diagnosed with lung cancer.
Filmography
Film Year Film Role Notes 1973 That'll Be the Day Sandra 1973 Take Me High Sarah Jones 1977 Where Time Began Glauben Voice; English version 1995 Downtime Victoria Waterfield Direct-to-video2000 Out of Site Mrs Pearson 2001 Possessions Lady Winkworth
Television
Year Title Role Notes 1958–1959 The Invisible Man Sally Wilson 11 episodes 1959 The Adventures of William Tell First Child Episode: "The Spider" 1960 A Life of Bliss Carol Fellows 6 episodes 1965 The Wednesday Play Alice Liddell Episode: "Alice" 1966 Gretchen Westermann Episode: "Calf Love" The Power Game Jennifer Episode: "Late Via Rome" This Man Craig Clare Maitland Episode: "Period of Adjustment" Out of the Unknown Sarah Richards Episode: "The World in Silence" Horizon Sophy Episode: "Hand Me My Sword, Humphrey" 1967 No Hiding Place Valerie Forbes Episode: "A Girl Like You" 1967–1968 Doctor Who Victoria Waterfield 40 episodes 1969 The Newcomers Julie Robertson 26 episodes 1971 Crime of Passion Leonie Juhan Episode: "Magdalena" 1972 ITV Sunday Night Drama Nurse Beverly Episode: "Old Newsome" Doctor in Charge Emma Livingstone 2 episodes 1973 Late Night Theatre Annabelle Walsh Episode: "Death to the General" Jane Episode: "The Gypsy's Revenge" Arthur of the Britons Thuna Episode: "The Slaves" 1977 A Roof Over My Head Maureen Episode: "A Roof Over My Head" 1978 Rising Damp Lorna Episode: "Hello Young Lovers" Lillie Georgie Reed Episode: "Sunset and Evening Star" 1979 Danger UXB Norma Baker 7 episodes Accident Miriam Saxon Episode: "Ends and Ways" 1981 The Jim Davidson Show Various 5 episodes 1993 Doctor Who: Dimensions in Time Victoria Waterfield TV short (Part Two) 2013 The Five(ish) Doctors Reboot Deborah Watling TV film
Audio dramas Year Title RoleRef. 2005 Doctor Who: Three's a Crowd Auntie 2008 Doctor Who: The Great Space Elevator Victoria Waterfield 2010 Doctor Who: The Emperor of Eternity 2012 Doctor Who: Power Play 2015 Doctor Who: The Black Hole 2016 Doctor Who: The Second Doctor Volume One
References
Citations
Sources
External links
Deborah Watling's official website (archived) BBC Norfolk Online – RealAudio interview from the Holt Doctor Who Midsummer Invasion 2006 Deborah Watling (Aveleyman)