R.I.P. Elisabeth Sladen

The Doctor Who universe is sadden today to hear that Elisabeth Sladen, better known as Sarah Jane Smith, has passed away earlier today at the age of 63. Elisabeth started her run on Doctor Who in 1973 beside the Third Doctor, Jon Pertwee, in The Time Warrior. She would go on to star in 80 episodes until The Hand of Fear in 1976 with the Fourth Doctor, Tom Baker. She would also later be in the first Doctor Who spinoff K9 & Company in 1981 and return again in 1983 for the special The Five Doctors. Elisabeth's popularity would have her come back to meet the Tenth Doctor, David Tennant, in 2006 and make guest appearances in 5 more episodes throughout David's run as the Doctor. She held just a single adventure with Matt Smith, the Eleventh Doctor, on her own spin off show, The Sarah Jane Adventures, which currently has 4 seasons, 47 episodes from 2007 to 2010.

Elisabeth Sladen has been a part of some amazing stories in Doctor Who and has been a great bridge between the classic and current series. To most fans she's arguably one of the best companions that have blessed the Doctor with their presence over the years. Though she was set to have a 5th season of The Sarah Jane Adventures, the series may end its run after 4 seasons with the last story named "Goodbye, Sarah Jane Smith".

"We had this theory that if you ever died, we'd feel it some somehow... we'd just know."
"Goodbye ... my Sarah Jane."
RIP Elisabeth Sladen (2/1/1948 - 4/19/2011)
Source: BBC News

Elisabeth Sladen as Sarah Jane w/ Doctors 3, 4, 10, & 11.