Dr Martha Jones is a fictional character played by Freema Agyeman in the long-running
British science fiction television series Doctor Who and its spin-off series, Torchwood.
She is a companion of the Tenth Doctor in the regular series, replacing Rose Tyler
in the primary companion role. She made her debut in Series 3's "Smith and Jones",
broadcast in the UK on 31 March 2007.
The introduction of Martha as the next companion after Billie Piper's Rose Tyler
was announced by the BBC in a 5 July 2006 press release. The character is a 23-year-old
medical student. Like Rose, Martha has family members who are seen in the programme:
Adjoa Andoh plays her mother Francine, with Trevor Laird as her father Clive (divorced
from Francine), Gugu Mbatha-Raw as her sister Tish and Reggie Yates as her brother,
Leo. Her cousin, Adeola Oshodi, is deceased, as Martha revealed to the Doctor in
"Smith and Jones". Nevertheless, Agyeman notes that Martha is "very independent";
living alone and having almost completed her medical qualifications. Throughout Doctor
Who series three, Martha pined for the Doctor's affection. In its final story — "Last
of the Time Lords", Martha was separated from the Doctor for a year, and after saving
the world she decided to return to Earth to allow herself to qualify as an MD and
get over her crush on the Doctor. Following the airdate of "Last of the Time Lords",
the BBC announced that the character would return to screens in three episodes of
Torchwood Series 2, before rejoining David Tennant's Tenth Doctor alongside new companion
Donna Noble (Catherine Tate) for five episodes half-way into the fourth series of
Doctor Who. Appearing in Torchwood, it is explained through exposition that Martha
is a medical specialist for the United Nations' (fictional) organisation U.N.I.T.,
a qualified doctor and bona fide expert on alien life. First appearing on the spin-off
series in Torchwood episode "Reset", fellow companion Jack Harkness establishes Martha's
credibility to her new peers, slyly commenting upon her vast experience. In the same
episode, Martha notes that an "impeccable source" recommended her employment to U.N.I.T.,
implying the Doctor holds the highest level of faith in Martha's capability.
