Elisabeth Sladen – the actress best known for her portrayal of Sarah Jane Smith in Doctor Who and The Sarah Jane Adventures – is getting a special tribute in the Whoniverse.

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It’s thanks to John Barrowman and sister Carole, who have created a new comic-book character in Sladen’s honour. Simply called Sladen, the character will be introduced in Torchwood: The Culling #1 after she’s discovered in a pod buried in the Arctic.

Why was she there? How will the Torchwood team react to her arrival? And Will K9 have a cameo? We’re not quite sure – details are being kept a mystery.

Revealing the new character in a Facebook post, John and Carole – who write the comic book series – said: “We are very excited to bring this new character Sladen to the world of Torchwood. You all know both Carole and I were great fans of the wonderful Elisabeth Sladen who played Sarah Jane Smith and what a better way to pay homage to her and create a character with her last name.

“Elisabeth Sladen/ Sarah Jane Smith was the mother of our ship on Doctor Who and now Sladen lives in Torchwood.”

They also hinted: “Now Captain Jack must battle his worst nightmare… or greatest daydream!”

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Elisabeth Sladen died at the age of 63 from pancreatic cancer in 2011. However, her Who role is still fondly remembered, with The Sarah Jane Adventures celebrating its 10-year anniversary last week.

Authors

Thomas LingDigital editor, BBC Science Focus

Thomas is Digital editor at BBC Science Focus. Writing about everything from cosmology to anthropology, he specialises in the latest psychology, health and neuroscience discoveries. Thomas has a Masters degree (distinction) in Magazine Journalism from the University of Sheffield and has written for Men’s Health, Vice and Radio Times. He has been shortlisted as the New Digital Talent of the Year at the national magazine Professional Publishers Association (PPA) awards. Also working in academia, Thomas has lectured on the topic of journalism to undergraduate and postgraduate students at The University of Sheffield.

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