Doctor(s): 4th Doctor (Tom Baker)
Traveled: 1977 – 1978
Actor: Louise Jameson (born 20 April 1951)
Episodes & Stories
The Face of Evil (introduced), The Robots of Death, The Talons of Weng-Chiang, Horror of Fang Rock, Image of the Fendahl, The Invasion of Time.
Personality
A fierce warrior from the primitive Sevateem tribe, Leela is bold, blunt, and quick to solve problems with a knife rather than diplomacy, though she comes to idolize the Doctor as a teacher figure.
Interesting Facts
- Louise Jameson pushed back against the writers to give Leela more intelligence and agency than originally scripted.
- Her departure was famously abrupt — she falls in love with a Time Lord guard within a single scene and marries him.
- Big Finish has since given Leela extensive further stories in audio form.
What Happened to the Character
In The Invasion of Time (1978), Leela falls in love with Commander Andred of the Gallifreyan Chancellery Guard and remains on Gallifrey to marry him.
The Actor Today
Louise Jameson has had a long, continuous acting career (Bergerac, EastEnders, Emmerdale) and remains active including Big Finish audio work as Leela.