Sladen stayed on Doctor Who from the start of season 11 to midway through season 14. She was offered and accepted the part of investigative journalist Sarah Jane Smith. As she chatted with Letts and Pertwee, each gave the other a thumbs-up when her back was turned. She was introduced to Pertwee, whom she found intimidating. Sladen arrived at the audition not knowing it was for the new companion role and was amazed at Letts's thoroughness. Producer Barry Letts was growing increasingly desperate in his search for a replacement when Z-Cars producer Ron Craddock gave Sladen an enthusiastic recommendation. In 1973, Katy Manning, who was playing the Third Doctor's assistant, Jo Grant opposite Jon Pertwee, was leaving the series. This was followed by guest roles in Some Mothers Do 'Ave 'Em and Z-Cars.

Her first television role in London was as a female terrorist in an episode of Doomwatch. Sladen found city life a change, but adapted. In 1972, Miller was appearing in a play that moved down to London and they moved along with it. She also got the odd part on Leeds Radio and Granada Television, appearing in 1970 as Anita Reynolds, barmaid of The Flying Horse, in six episodes of Coronation Street. Her most notable role in this time was Desdemona in Othello, her first appearance as a leading lady. Sladen and Miller married on 8th June 1968, after moving to Manchester, spending three years there. Sladen moved into weekly repertory work, travelling around England. This got her told off again, but she started to get more on-stage roles.

Sladen was so good as an ASM that she did not get many acting roles, a problem she solved by deliberately making mistakes. She was scolded for giggling on stage, thanks to a young actor, Brian Miller, whispering the words, 'Respiration nil, Aston Villa two' in her ear while he was playing a doctor. Her first stage appearance was as a corpse. She began work at the Liverpool Playhouse repertory company as an assistant stage manager.

She turned to acting and after finishing grammar school, attended drama school for two years. 5.3.4 Big Finish Doctor Who audio storiesĪn only child, Sladen developed an interest in performing at an early age, beginning dance lessons when she was five and dancing in one production with the Royal Ballet.

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