Name:
Jane Hampden
Species:
Human
Place of Origin:
Job:
Teacher
Affiliated With:
Little Hodcombe Primary School
Hexen Bridge school
Appearance:
Main Actor:
Polly James
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Jane Hampden was a companion of the Fifth Doctor.
EARLY LIFE
Jane lived in Little Hodcombe and worked as a teacher (The Awakening) at Little Hodcombe Primary School, where she was Michael Masterson’s teacher when he was in his third-year. (And You Will Obey Me) She taught at the Hexen Bridge school for a term whilst Rebecca Baber was a student. As an outsider, the majority of the students hated her and tolerated her only because of her intellect. Rebecca, however, idolised her. (The Hollow Men)
Jane was an old friend of Andrew Verney, who told her about the village’s tradition of the Queen of the May (The Awakening and whose research into the Malus she was aware of. (The Awakening) She also considered Ben Wolsey to have always been a staunch friend. (The Awakening)
THE WAR GAMES
In 1984, Jane was concerned about Sir George Hutchinson’s war games due to people getting hurt (The Awakening) as well as a feeling that things were not right. She believed that Andrew Verney’s disappearance was connected to the war games and attempted to make an ally of Ben Wolsey a few days later, (The Awakening) only to find that he too was getting carried away with Sir George’s games. Upon learning that Sir George had cordoned off the village, she protested.
Jane was further appalled when Joseph Willow arrested the Fifth Doctor, Tegan Jovanka and Vislor Turlough, whom she informed of Verney’s disappearance, and reminded a href=”/sir-george-hutchinson” title=”Sir George Hutchinson”>Sir George that it was illegal. Held at Wolsey’s manor against her will, she escaped with The Doctor and Will Chandler and was doubtful of the Doctor’s claims about the Malus until she was attacked by a psychic projection. She helped him realise that the purpose of the war games was to awaken the Malus and witnessed its defeat, after which she supported the suggestion that The Doctor, Tegan and Turlough remain in Little Hodcombe for a time. (The Awakening)
AS A COMPANION
When it came time for the Doctor to return Will to 1643, Jane joined the two of them in the TARDIS. (The Hollow Men) They travelled together for a month, visiting numerous places and times, before they finally arrived at their intended destination. ( The King of Terror) Jane then returned to 1984 where she helped The Doctor get a place on the board of governors at the Hexen Bridge school so that he could keep an eye on the area. (The Hollow Men)
LEGACY
The Seventh Doctor thought about taking Ace to see Jane, saying that she still made an excellent cup of tea. (The Hollow Men)
PERSONALITY
Jane was a forceful character who was more than capable of standing up to those in authority. She prided herself on being practical and rational ((The Awakening) and was idolised by her students for her intellect. The Fifth Doctor described her as a “lovely girl” who asked a lot of questions. (The Hollow Men)
APPEARANCE
Jane was attractive and tied her hair up in a bun to make herself appear taller, being a somewhat small woman. (The Awakening)
BEHIND THE SCENES
Although Polly James was 41 when The AwakeninG was broadcast, the novelisation of the story describes Jane as a young woman.
Lynda Bellingham, Honor Blackman, Eleanor Bron, Pauline Collins, Judi Dench, Diane Keen, Jean Marsh, Helen Mirren, Diana Rigg, Sheila Ruskin, Pamela Salem, Barbara Shelley, Sylvia Syms, Wanda Ventham, Fiona Walker and Penelope Wilton were considered for the role before Polly James was cast.[source needed]