RIP Elisabeth Sladen

[arduinna]

It's been confirmed by BBC News that Elisabeth Sladen, who played Sarah Jane Smith in Doctor Who and her own spinoff show, died today.

Sarah Jane was my hands-down favorite companion for decades, until Donna came along, and then I loved them both about the same. But Sarah Jane was and is my soft spot. Watching her come back in School Days made me ridiculously happy; watching her spinoff makes me even happier. She is just so cool. She's smart, and strong, and funny, and doesn't take any guff from anyone.

Part of that is down to the writers, of course, but most of it is down to Elisabeth Sladen's performance. She was amazing, and she made you believe that Sarah Jane could do absolutely anything.



She was about 61 years old in this picture. And she could kick your ass from here to Sunday if she wanted.

♥

Comments

[klia]

I had no idea she was sick, so the news of her death was a huge, terrible shock.

Fucking cancer.

[arduinna]

I had no idea, either -- if anything, I thought she'd be around for another 30 years, because she looked so freaking strong and healthy. I'm still sort of reeling; I've spent the day online compulsively refreshing everything I could find, and watching clips. I loved Donna to bits, too, but dammit, Sarah Jane was my Companion. Hearts in my eyes every time she showed up anywhere.

Fuck cancer, seriously.

[klia]

She looked strong and fit, and she was so freaking gorgeous -- she'd hardly aged since the Tom Baker eps. I didn't see many Sarah Jane eps back then, so I really only knew her well from recent years, but I adored her. She was one of the few characters I could look at and think, I'd like to be her.

And now, over on LJ, tzikeh just made me cry again. Fuck.

[scrollgirl]

I saw people posting about Elisabeth Sladen, but I didn't know who they were talking about until I saw your Sarah Jane pic. What a sad loss.

[arduinna]

It really is. :( I've been watching her play Sarah Jane for more than 30 years, which is boggling, but also isn't long enough, dammit.

[marycrawford]

Arg. Crap!! She was awesome. And far too young, dammit.