Bonnie Langford Returns to Doctor Who Following Many Eras and Regenerations
Star of classic *Doctor Who*, Bonnie Langford reflects on her appearances over several generations of the show and breaks out how working with several Doctors has changed Mel Bush. Along with Colin Baker's sixth doctor, the actress debuted on the TARDIS into Sylvester McCoy's period as the Seventh Doctor. Langford made a quick cameo in 2022's "The Power of the Doctor," then returned alongside David Tennant's Fourteenth and Ncuti Gatwa's Fifteenth in the *Doctor Who* 60th anniversary special.
Langford spoke with Screen Rant on her multi-generational involvement in the show before her *Doctor Who* season 14 return. After assisting the Doctor in four consecutive incarnations and through two Regeneration, the actress detailed Mel's growing accustomed to the Time Lord's continually shifting appearance. See Langford's reply below:
Mel's Changing Relationship with the Doctor
Mel features among the more complicated Doctor and Companion interactions observed in the classic era of *Doctor Who*. Her first on-screen meeting with the Doctor was confusing since the Time Lord's tampering meant she met him before she even set off the TARDIS. She was left to assist the Doctor throughout his turbulent Regeneration into his seventh incarnation, even while the younger Six would finally be brought home so she could see him at the correct date.
Mel's classic *Doctor Who* exit would be one of the more positive farewells, embarking on her own space-faring adventures with Sabalom Glitz (Tony Selby), despite early on in her time onboard the TARDIS facing so many strange encounters. Mel later returned to Earth when Glitz passed, reconnecting with other former friends and even working for UNIT. Mel would be reunited with the Fourteenth Doctor through this, helping him and the Fifteenth Doctor fight the Toymaker (Neil Patrick Harris), then she would be pals with the recently bigenerated Fourteen.
The Doctor's Constantly Changing Shape
It's strange since performers are used to seeing people in their roles be recast. You become used to seeing a different type, but this is very much, sort of like, sure, a new person performing a role, but they still have the essence of that character wrapped up in a very different appearance. At first, I wondered how Mel would feel about this since it is not her doctor.
She's having to get acclimated to this person who has various attributes that she didn't expect that weren't with her original first couple of Doctors; but, we live in a different era and generation, and I think she welcomes it. She finds great delight in knowing that, at the core, this individual possesses literally two very unique hearts. She is highly aware of that, but she also enjoys learning the unique traits every individual provides.
Mel, The Sole Classical Companion
Mel fills up for *Doctor Who* season 14 as the lone returning classic friend in Gatwa's new age thus far. Mel is thus a wonderful recognition of the long history of the show, symbolizing its first run and maybe inspiring new viewers to witness her original journeys for themselves. Furthermore, Langford highlighting how Mel's experience with the Doctor has left her ready for anything making her an excellent ally as long-running riddles are ultimately solved.
Every Friday simultaneously on Disney+ for viewers worldwide and BBC iPlayer for those in the UK, new *Doctor Who* episodes arrive.
A Classic Rewind: *Doctor Who*
Originally debuted in 1963, *Doctor Who* is a sci-fi show featuring the Doctor, a potent entity known as a Time Lord. The Doctor explores time and space with several Companions using an interdimensional time-traveling ship called the TARDIS, helping to solve several issues and aid to prevent catastrophe as much as they almost trigger it. Though the Doctor is always the same character, they undergo regenerations which enables them to be recast every few seasons as a different immortal entity with fresh personality features.
Availability in the United States
Not available.
Not forthcoming.
Not accessible
