Carole Ann Ford, who played the Doctor’s granddaughter Susan Foreman in the very first episodes of Doctor Who, has made a thrilling return to the series after more than 40 years. Her last regular appearance was in 1964 when Susan fell in love with a human and the Doctor left her on Earth to be with him. In the latest episode, “The Interstellar Song Contest,” Susan appears as a vision to the current Doctor, played by Ncuti Gatwa, urging him to “Go back, Grandfather, go back!” and hinting at a potential future role by saying, “Find me.” Her image also helps the Doctor regain control over his darker instincts later in the episode.
Ford’s return has been eagerly anticipated by fans and is a significant milestone in the show’s history.
Carole Ann Ford returns
She previously returned for the 20th anniversary special “The Five Doctors” and the Children in Need special, “Dimensions in Time,” but this latest appearance brings a new level of excitement and nostalgia.
Speaking to media outlets previously, Carole Ann Ford expressed a desire to return to the show and be part of its modern, high-budget production values. “I’d love to experience all the money they spend on it now – it’s done like a film! I would adore to be in it now,” she remarked. Doctor Who continues to captivate audiences, and Susan Foreman’s return is a testament to the show’s ability to honor its rich legacy while pushing forward into new adventures.
New episodes are available every Saturday on BBC iPlayer in the UK and on Disney+ internationally.