Harriet Jones

Harriet Jones is a fictional character played by Penelope Wilton in the long-running British science fiction television series Doctor Who. Having worked previously with lead writer and executive producer Russell T Davies, Wilton was keen to involve herself with his 2005 revival of Doctor Who after he sought to cast her. Jones is introduced in the two-part story "Aliens of London" and "World War Three" as a Member of Parliament who aids the Ninth Doctor against an alien invasion of London. The episode introduces a running joke associated with the character which would see her frequently introduce herself by name and position only to be told "Yes, I/we know who you are".

Wilton returned for a Christmas special in 2005 as a familiar character whose presence would ease the transition between the sudden change in lead actor of the titular character. Despite her character having been introduced as fair minded and hard working, Jones is depicted as an uncompromising Prime Minister, which led to comparisons to real life politicians. Response to the character's political demise varied; some reviewers felt that she had acted unreasonably whilst others sympathised with her actions. Wilton's final episode coincided with producer Phil Collinson's final episodes in 2008; she was keen to make one last return as she had been there for Collinson's first episodes as producer. Harriet is killed off in the penultimate episode of the show's fourth series in which she sacrifices her own life during a Dalek takeover of Earth.