Before actress Elisabeth Sladen died earlier this year, she made another six episodes of the popular The Sarah Jane Adventures, the first of which will be shown on CBBC on Monday 3 October 2011. Also starring are her three regular sidekicks from the previous seasons – Luke (played by Tommy Knight), Clyde (played by Daniel Anthony) and Rani (played by Anjii Mohindra). But there is also a new member of the gang – Sky played by Sinead Michael.
Also back are Ace Bhatti and Mina Anwar as Rani's parents, and Jocelyn Jee Esien as Clyde's mum,
The six episodes are split into three two-part adventures that will be shown on Mondays and Tuesdays. The first two-parter is called “Sky” and starts with Sarah Jane finding an abandoned baby girl on her doorstep. The second is called “The Curse of Clyde Langer” and it is raining fish. The third is “The Man Who Never Was” and Sarah Jane decides to investigate a computer that no-one can resist owning.
New Faces in The Sarah Jane Adventures
Sinead Michael made her first television appearance as Tamsin in an episode of Silent Witness in 2005. Three years later she was Lisa Hanson in an episode of Doctors and Emily in two episodes of The Children. She also appeared as Tekla in Clash of the Titans and earlier this year as Nicola Rees in two episodes of Waking the Dead.
“I loved filming every minute of it,” said Michael in the official CBBC press release. “It’s a great show. I am aware that it has been around for four series and am hoping that everyone likes my character even though I’m the new girl.”
There will also be guest appearances from Floella Benjamin as Professor Rivers, James Dreyfuss as Harrison, Peter Bowles as Lionel Carson, Christine Stephen-Daly as Miss Myers and Lily Loveless as Ellie.
The Team Behind The Sarah Jane Adventures
Russell T Davies created the show and he is also an executive producer along with Nikki Wilson. The producer was Brian Minchin and the writing team included Phil Ford and Gareth Roberts. The Sarah Jane Adventures is a BBC Cymru Wales and CBBC production.
Elisabeth Sladen (1946-2011)
Liz Sladen made her first appearance as Sarah Jane Smith in Doctor Who in 1973 and lasted three and half seasons crossing over from the third Doctor (played by Jon Pertwee) to the fourth Doctor (played by Tom Baker). Her first Dr Who spin-off was in the 1981 TV movie K9 and Company: A Girl’s Best Friend.
Her career though dates back to 1965 when she made an uncredited appearance in the film Ferry Cross the Mersey. Her first recurring role was as Anita Reynolds in Coronation Street in 1970. Other roles have included Josie Hall in Take My Wife… and Dr Pat Hewland in Peak Practice.
She died from cancer in April this year.
Steve Rogerson - Steve Rogerson is a UK-based writer specialising in television, technology, sports and beer.
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