Barbara Wright

[The Doc]

Barbara Wright was teaching history at Coal Hill School in London in 1963, working with science teacher Ian Chesterton. One of their students, Susan Foreman, shows an unusually advanced knowledge of science and history, but a rudimentary knowledge of other subjects. In an attempt to learn more about this "unearthly child", Barbara and Ian follow Susan home to a junkyard, where they hear her voice coming from what appears to be a police box. During a confrontation with her grandfather, the Doctor, Barbara rushes in to the police box, only to discover that its exterior hides the much larger interior of the TARDIS, revealing the vehicle for the first time and making Barbara the first human to step aboard.

At first a reluctant traveller in time and space, the strong-willed Barbara becomes more adventurous, while providing a maternal figure to Susan and subsequently Vicki. She is frequently the only person willing to stand up to the First Doctor's cantankerous outbursts with firmness and logic. A chemistry between her and Ian is also evident, although the nature of their relationship is never fully clarified in the television series.

Although mutually respectful and increasingly affectionate, the relationship between the Doctor and Barbara is often tested by their opposing viewpoints. In The Aztecs, Barbara is mistaken for the reincarnation of a high priest, Yetaxa, after they find her in possession of his bracelet. Barbara seizes this opportunity to change the course of history, and tries to persuade the Aztecs to abandon human sacrifice, so that by the time Hernan Cortes - who overthrew the Aztec empire - lands he will find a glorious civilisation. The Doctor warns Barbara that she cannot rewrite history, but his protests fall on deaf ears. Barbara fails and, although she has influenced some Aztecs, history remains on course.

As well as exploring alien planets, Barbara visits several eras of Earth's history, including the Roman Empire during the time of Nero, Palestine during the Third Crusade, the Himalayas in the 13th Century, and a post-apocalyptic London in the 22nd Century.

After the TARDIS is chased through time and space by the Daleks to the planet Mechanus, where a conflict destroys the pursuing faction of Daleks, Barbara suggests to Ian they use the abandoned Dalek time machine to get home. The Doctor is furious and tries to persuade them to stay with him by suggesting the journey might kill them, but the two teachers had made up their minds. After an emotional farewell to the Doctor and Vicki, Barbara and Ian are returned to London, albeit two years after their disappearance. Back on the TARDIS, the Doctor uses the time-space visualiser to check they have returned safely, and tells Vicki how much he will miss them.

[Peri-Peri]

I thought Barbara was absolutely brilliant throughout this story and Jaqueline Hill played her wonderfully! Her scenes with Nero especially showed a great new side to the character and gave the actress a chance to show off her comic timing. I've always been a fan of Barbara, but in this story in particular I thought she was wonderful

[Nyki]

I agree.  She'd always been strong, but the way she veered between verbal comedy, farce and touching seriousness shows what a versatile actress she was.

[Aneurin]

She always is brilliant though, isn't she. I can't think of a single instance where I have felt let down by the character of JH's performance. She was brilliant in this story and she looked awesome in her costume too. The actress and character never get the recognition deserved.

[Roranicus]

Yes I agree, she looked beautiful.

Barbara is always brilliant I think and I definately agree that she is overlooked all too often. In this story in particular I think she really shone and some of her scenes were the highlights of the serial for me.

[poprockgeek]

All I can add is that Barbara was wonderful in this. And her costumes were lovely 

[TheDoctorDonna]

Barbara for me can do no wrong and I think she is particularly brilliant in this story. It isn't too often that she gets to take centre stage but whenever she does she absolutely storms it and this story is no different.

[Saber]

I agree she was wonderful throughout this story and she definately deserves more credit than she gets. While she is often overlooked though, I don't think I have ever encountered anyone who didn't like the character or actress' portrayal

[Oh-Wise-One]

As is so often the case, she was totally brilliant in this and definately one of the stand out performances of the story. They really should have given her more to do in all the stories because she was constantly on form

[Tardis-Console]

I havent seen loads of stories with Barbara in, but I have to agree with everyone else that she never fails to be great whenever she is on screen. The actress is dead now, right? So no chance of a return?

[poprockgeek]

Sadly yes, she passed away in 1993. So nope, no chance of a return.

[Tardis-Console]

Yea I thought she had died. Shame really because it would have been great to see her return as Barbara again

[Saber]

Yea I thought she had died. Shame really because it would have been great to see her return as Barbara again

I couldn't agree more. It would have been great to have her return if circumstances had allowed for it