Doctor Who Worldwide was extremely saddened to learn of the passing of Maggie Stables on Friday.
Best known to Doctor Who fans as Big Finish companion Evelyn Smythe, Maggie took up acting as a second career after life as a French teacher.
Maggie expanded on her change in career to the BBC some years ago:
“I got into acting because I was asked to be an escapologist’s assistant. I taught French for about 150 years and I helped the escapologist in my spare time and in the holidays. One thing led to another and I was offered the chance of an early retirement. I took that and thought, “Well it’s great fun and you only live once, don’t you… I’ll try theatre. Then in about 91 I was very lucky because I was able to go legit, stop doing musical numbers and do straight plays. I was in a straight play, a tour of Jane Eyre with Nick Briggs. There’s the connection.”
It was this connection that saw Maggie being cast in Big Finish’s first ever Doctor Who audio The Siren’s of Time as Ruthley:
“So Nick Briggs rang me up and said, “I’ve got just the part for you, she’s an alien and she’s part Russian, part German and half warthog - absolutely right for you dear.” I did it and that was my introduction to Doctor Who. Then I learnt a year or so later, that I was going to be Colin Baker’s companion. I couldn’t believe it. Very exciting.”
Her musical skills would of course be put to the test in Doctor Who and the Pirates in 2003, three years after being cast in the role which endeared her to legions of Big Finish fans, that of Evelyn Smythe alongside Colin Baker’s Sixth Doctor.
Colin and Maggie formed a winning partnership, their chemistry, acting skills and a completely fresh dynamic winning rave reviews for audio after audio from Big Finish as fans took the character to heart, helping the “rehabilitation” of the Sixth Doctor character and taking the company in new directions away from what was seen on screen.
Big Finish Executive Producer Nick Briggs said on BigFinish.com:
“Maggie was such a lovely, warm person who did a fantastic job of playing Evelyn. She was extremely popular with our listeners and always a delight to work with. I have many fond and sometimes raucous memories of working with her in Doctor Who and on stage. Unfortunately, my favourite Maggie anecdotes are far too naughty to repeat here. Suffice it to say, she had a very saucy laugh and a twinkle in her eye. Some of my warmest memories of her involve her sometimes shockingly blunt use of a put-down aimed at me… but it was always followed by that infectious laugh of hers. I shall always be grateful for the support and affection she gave to me and for all the laughs we shared along the way.”
Maggie died peacefully in her sleep on Friday 26th, she will be dearly missed by her many fans, friends and colleagues. Our thoughts are with her family and her loved ones at this terrible time.
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