Daphne Ashbrook

Dr. GRACE HOLLOWAY: “You have two hearts!”


Casting a new Companion is just as important as casting a new Doctor - they don’t just need to look good on screen together, but there needs to be chemistry between the two. Classic Doctor Who had featured many strong female leads in the role of the companion, and to continue that tradition, the producers picked Daphne Ashbrook to play Dr. Grace Holloway.


Raised in San Diego county, Ashbrook made her acting debut at age six. Her early career saw her working in many Los Angeles theatre productions including Burlesque...The Way You Like It (1982), Come Blow Your Horn (1983), and The Coming of Stork (1984).


Making the move to television in1985, she appeared in shows including Our Family Honor (1985-1986), Fortune Dane (1986) and in the ABC comedy-drama Hooperman (1987-1989). In 1990, she appeared as Phyllis Gates, Rock Hudson's wife, in the television film Rock Hudson. Her first brush with scifi and fantasy came with an appearance as Melora in Star Trek: Deep Space Nine.


In 1996, she accepted the role of Grace Holloway in the television movie of Doctor Who, not only becoming an instant hit with fans, but also causing a little controversy by sharingThe Doctor sharing a passionate embrace and kiss with The Doctor.


Since Doctor Who, Daphne's other work has included appearances in Cold Case, CSI, Crossing Jordan, JAG, Murder, She Wrote, Judging Amy, Intruders, The O.C, The Lodger, NCIS, Ghost Whisperer, Without a Trace, and Fame.


Daphne's association with the Doctor Who franchise continues to this day, with various roles in the Big Finish range of Doctor Who Audio Adventures - though a return to the role of Grace still eludes her.

Daphne also appears in the documentary Doctor Who am I, which makes its northwest premiere at BritCon.