Posted by Keith Bradbury on 9/15/2026 to
Cheryl Hall and Gilly Brown occupy different corners of Doctor Who’s rich history, but both contributed to the distinctive tapestry of the classic series.
Cheryl Hall, who died on 9 August 2026 aged 76, appeared in Carnival of Monsters (1973), playing Shirna, a member of the Vorg’s ill-fated entertainment crew. Her connection to the program ran even deeper: she had been among the actresses considered for the role of Jo Grant, which ultimately went to Katy Manning. Though she did not become the Doctor’s companion, Hall returned to the world of Doctor Who in a memorable guest role and later reflected on that experience in a documentary. She was also widely remembered for Citizen Smith and The Bill.
Gilly Brown, born Gillian Brown, died in September 2026. She appeared in The Brain of Morbius (1976) as Ohica, one of the people caught up in the Doctor’s confrontation with Solon and the terrifying Morbius. It was a smaller role, but an important part of the serial’s unsettling world—a story remembered for its gothic atmosphere, stark landscapes, and exploration of identity, memory, and monstrosity. Brown also worked under the name Gilly Brown in productions including The Mayor of Casterbridge, Grange Hill, and Jackanory Playhouse.
Neither actress played the Doctor’s companion, yet both helped make the program feel larger than its central characters. Hall brought warmth, humanity, and a glimpse of what might have been into the Pertwee era; Brown helped populate the darker, stranger universe of the Baker era. Their performances remind us that Doctor Who has always depended not only on its Doctors and companions, but also on the many actors who give its imagined worlds life.
May Cheryl Hall and Gilly Brown be remembered with affection by Doctor Who fans—and may their work continue to reward those who revisit these classic stories.
