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Mary Tamm

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Mary Tamm
Mary Tamm as Romana I
Born(1950-03-22)22 March 1950
Bradford, West Riding of Yorkshire
Died26 July 2012(2012-07-26) (aged 62)
London, England, United Kingdom
Cause of deathCancer
OccupationActress
Years active1970–2012
SpouseMarcus Ringrose (m. 1978–2012, her death)
ChildrenOne daughter
Websitehttp://www.marytamm.com/

Mary Tamm (22 March 1950 – 26 July 2012) was an English actress, best known for her role as Romana in the BBC's science fiction television series Doctor Who,[2] starring opposite Tom Baker in the 1978–1979 story arc The Key to Time.

Early life

Tamm was born in Bradford,[1] West Riding of Yorkshire, to Estonian immigrant parents[1][3] and attended Bradford Girls' Grammar School.[4] She was a graduate and an associate member of the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art.

Acting career

Tamm began acting on the stage with the Birmingham Repertory Company in 1971. She moved to London in 1972 and appeared in the musical Mother Earth. Before her association with Doctor Who, Tamm acted in several films, most notably The Odessa File (1973) and The Likely Lads (1976). In 1981 she took the part of Rhoda Dawes in Agatha Christie's Cards on the Table at London's Vaudeville Theatre.[5]

Tamm was not initiallly interested in playing a companion to the Doctor, believing that the role was merely that of the "damsel in distress". She changed her mind when assured by the producers that Romana would be a member of the Doctor"s own race and therefore as capable as he. Tamm left the programme after only one season because she felt that the character had reverted to the traditional assistant role and could not be developed further.[6] In a 2007 interview, Tamm stated that she was willing to film a regeneration sequence to allow a smooth transition between her tenure and that of a new actress, but she was not invited to do so.[7] One source states that pregnancy was the reason that she was not asked to return,[8] which Tamm refuted as a false rumour invented by producer John Nathan-Turner.[9][10]

After leaving the series, Tamm took leading roles in two BBC1 dramas, The Treachery Game (1980) and its sequel The Assassination Run (1981) alongside Malcolm Stoddard. A leading role in the sitcom The Hello, Goodbye Man opposite Ian Lavender was produced in 1984, for BBC2.

Subsequently, Tamm played the characters of Penny Crosbie in the soap opera Brookside from 1993 to 1996,[11] Yvonne Edwards in the BBC drama Paradise Heights (2002), as well as guest roles in many other television programmes. Tamm returned as Pandora in the second series of the Gallifrey audio plays produced by Big Finish Productions. Her first such appearance was in Gallifrey: Lies (2005). She also appeared (as herself) in a special feature in the 2007 DVD boxed set release of The Key to Time, discussing her experiences on the programme. In August 2009, Tamm made a brief one-week appearance as Orlenda in EastEnders. Tamm recorded seven new Doctor Who audio adventures for Big Finish Productions with Tom Baker shortly before her death.[12]

Personal life

Tamm was married to Marcus Ringrose from 1978 until her death.[4] They had one daughter and a grandson.[11] Her autobiography, titled First Generation, was published in September 2009 by Fantom Films. She had been working on a second part of her autobiography, Second Generation, before her death and it is unknown if it was finished or if it will be published.[13]

Death

Tamm died on 26 July 2012 [14][1] after an 18-month battle with cancer in a hospital in London, England.

References

  1. ^ a b c d "Doctor Who star Mary Tamm dies aged 62". The Guardian. 26 July 2012. Retrieved 26 July 2012.
  2. ^ "Dr Who star returns to Bradford roots". Bradford Telegraph and Argus. 28 September 2009. Retrieved 9 October 2009.
  3. ^ "Interview with Mary Tamm". BBC Wiltshire. 21 September 2007. Retrieved 9 October 2009.
  4. ^ a b Obituary in the Daily Telegraph
  5. ^ Programme for Cards on the Table (Vaudeville Theatre): Theatreprint No 80, May 1982
  6. ^ "marytamm.com".
  7. ^ "There's Something About Mary", a DVD featurette on The Key to Time - Special Edition (BBC Video/2 Entertain, 2007).
  8. ^ "A Brief History Of Time (Travel): Destiny Of The Daleks". Shannonsullivan.com. Retrieved 26 July 2012.
  9. ^ "MaryTamm Official Website - Mary Tamm in Dr Who". Marytamm.com. 14 September 2009. Retrieved 26 July 2012.
  10. ^ Published Monday, Oct 19 2009, 06:58 BST (19 October 2009). "Mary Tamm ('Doctor Who') - Doctor Who Interview - Cult". Digital Spy. Retrieved 26 July 2012.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  11. ^ a b "The 5-minute Interview: Mary Tamm, Actress". The Independent. 24 September 2007. Retrieved 9 October 2009.
  12. ^ http://www.bigfinish.com/ranges/coming_soon_reverse/doctor-who---fourth-doctor-adventures
  13. ^ "Fantom Films".
  14. ^ "Doctor Who actress Mary Tamm dies". BBC News. 26 July 2012.

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