Madge Arwell was the mother ofCyril andLily Arwell and was briefly a companion of theEleventh Doctor. She was a terrible driver, with a tendency to bump into things even when parked. Her husband,Reg Arwell, was a bomber pilot in theSecond World War.

Madge had helped out the Doctor in1938 when he fell from a sub-orbital spaceship into a field she was cycling past. He told her he would return the favour if she made a wish. The Doctor kept his word and returned in 1941 to give her children the "best Christmas ever", following her receiving a telegram indicating that Reg was missing and presumed dead.

Her piloting of the ship built by the Androzani Forest's King and Queen saved her children, the Androzani Forest's life force, and provided the lost Reg with a light to follow home, which he did, through the Time Vortex, landing safely on Christmas Day, with his family.

Later, as the Doctor bade farewell to her, Madge insisted he spend Christmas day with family. Madge's persistence led to the Doctor visiting his in-laws,Amy Pond andRory Williams, forChristmas dinner in2013. (TV:The Doctor, the Widow and the Wardrobe)

Personality[[edit] |[edit source]]

Madge had a habit of taking in "waifs and strays" and could even come across as slightly dotty. When her family was threatened, she revealed a steely determination, pulling a gun on theharvest rangers, taking control of their futuristic tripod, bravingacid rain and piloting through the time-space vortex with a forest in her head. She was also kind enough to help strangers in need. (TV:The Doctor, the Widow and the Wardrobe)

Skills[[edit] |[edit source]]

She could drive, even if she tended to crash into things. She could also pick a lock with a pin. (TV:The Doctor, the Widow and the Wardrobe)

Behind the Scenes[[edit] |[edit source]]

• The role was originally meant forMiranda Hart. This was vetoed by the BBC, as she had been cast inCall the Midwife and they wanted that to be her first dramatic role.