Lis Sladen talks Sarah Jane - Unseen interview (May 1995)

A previously unseen interview I recorded with Elisabeth Sladen, who played the much-loved character Sarah Jane Smith in Doctor Who, from 1973-76. Her character returned to the series several times, and from 2007-11 she starred in her own series, "The Sarah Jane Adventures", winning a whole new generation of young fans.
This interview was conducted at the Blue Box 3 convention in Southampton in 1995, and whilst the sound quality is rather bad, her enthusiasm and decency shine through as she discusses her early career and her time on Doctor Who.
Not only was Sarah Jane a much-loved character, but as an actress Lis Sladen herself became a firm favourite with fans, and her sad death in 2011 left many with a genuine sense of personal loss. I was privileged to have met her, and am pleased to be able to share this short conversation with a wider audience.
The music track on the video is by Hector and the Leaves, whose EP "Problems" can be downloaded for free at: / hectorandtheleaves

[@63DW89A]

Thank you for this! Wow, Lis looks lovely here! She appears much as she did in "Pyramids Of Mars", produced about 20 years earlier than this 1995 interview. Amazing how she never seemed to age right up to the end. I've never heard a bad word said about Lis, and every in interview I've seen, Lis always seems like a genuine, down to earth person.
I think while Lis Sladen's "Sarah Jane" is universally appreciated as probably the greatest companion, Lis is overlooked as being a major reason for the rising success of DrWHo 1973-1976. Minus Lis Sladen, I don't think DrWho would have have the ratings climb it experienced 1973-76. "Sarah Jane" made that big of a difference in my estimation.

[@andrewphippsphillips1455]

Totally agreed & thanks for saying what many of us would so nicely

[@andrewphippsphillips1455]

I doubt any actress in sci fi ever captured people quite like she did.If ever a lady deserves a retrospective damehood it's Miss S.....

[@That_Random_Bloke]

Hi Nigel, was this at Blue Box convention in the Novotel Southampton?
The reason I ask is - I think I was with you interviewing her! 🤣🤣

[@amyhull754]

Thank you so much for sharing this. I think we all loved and miss her. It was a joy tonight to see something I'd never seen of her.

[@stuartmack8769]

Sarah Jane Smith was the best Doctor Who companion EVER🥰... Loved her in "Hand Of Fear"... "Eldrad must live"... Wish Lis had lived longer... 😢👍🤔

[@JohnHood]

A lovely interview with my favourite Doctor Who companion.

[@petergibbs]

What a lovely interview. It was her personally that made her the best loved of all the Doctor's companions, and it was clear to see that here in the interview. Thanks for putting it on You-Tube Nigel for all to see.

[@thenibbler06]

Thanks for conformation that it was Blubox 3 as I have found some photos from 1995 southampton

[@yesterday1396]

Crazy! The month and year I was born.

[@servalan65]

A truly magical lady.

[@ViridisArborem]

This is amazing. Thanks for uploading it!

[@TimelordUK]

Lovely interview. She's so gracious

[@AnthonyP73]

Utterly enchanting. Thanks!

[@rhyfeddu]

Shame she felt her parting scene was overdone. Because it actually was perfectly played. 💔

[@lewiskent550]

What did she say she had to do what

[@yawnzzzzzzzzzzzn]

Thanks