Why Did Freema Agyeman’s Martha Jones Leave Doctor Who?

• In Doctor Who , Martha Jones was a groundbreaking companion, praised for her no-nonsense attitude and independent spirit.
• She was a hero in her own right, showcasing kindness and consideration that made her powerful.
• Jones’ relatable family struggles helped make her character more realistic and authentic.

Doctor Who has welcomed a wide array of imaginative companions during its 60-year history. As such, with so many admirable characters to choose from, it can sometimes be hard for fans to choose their favorite one. However, when Martha Jones arrived in Season 3, it was clear from the start that she wasn’t going to be pushed around.

Martha Jones quickly arrived after the devastating departure of Rose Tyler, so there is no denying that she had a lot to live up to. But actress Freema Agyeman gave this role her all and managed to alter the show’s canon in a way that was never seen before. Yet, many fans are still curious as to why she left the show as well as whether they could see her in the TARDIS once again.

Who Is Martha Jones?

Notable Members of Martha Jones’ Family

Martha Jones burst onto screens back in 2007, playing a determined A&E doctor who was trying to keep it all together while a group of Judoon were terrorizing her patients. Each adventure with the 10th Doctor were just as exciting as the last, and the pair battled a selection of fearsome creatures, including the Daleks and the Carrionites, and even had a chat with William Shakespeare. Jones was a lot different from other Doctor Who companions. Not only was she the first black female companion in the show’s history, but she was also a lot less dependent on the Doctor than her predecessors. Thus, Martha was instantly praised for her no-nonsense attitude and eager spirit.

Though Martha eventually developed a sense of romantic attraction to the Doctor, it seems that these feelings weren’t reciprocated. But this didn’t take away from Martha’s personality or even her character arc. So, although the Doctor didn’t like Martha as much as Rose, who he desperately wanted to see again, it wasn’t a problem for the viewer as this only gave Martha a better opportunity to allow her vivacious attitude to shine through.

Martha Was a Hero in Her Own Right

• Freema Agyeman first appeared as Adeola Oshodi in Season 2, Episode 12, “Army of Ghosts.”
• Jones is one of the few characters to have a tattoo in Doctor Who.

Though many people view the Doctor as the main protagonist and hero of the show, Martha’s arc showcased that she was always ready for whatever came her way. Even though she may not handle any weapons or use any act of violence, it’s Matha’s kindness and consideration that help to make her the most powerful hero in Season 3. This is evident in Season 3, Episode 1, “Smith and Jones,” as she is more concerned about the well-being of her patients than being transported to the moon or even the fact that giant rhinos are wrecking the hospital. Plus, she doesn’t seem overly impressed by the Doctor’s quirky antics or alien perspective. In fact, it seems that Martha would rather care for those around her than run around with the Doctor all day. Not only does this highlight Martha’s role as a hero, but it also signifies that she doesn’t feel inclined to drop everything for the sake of the Doctor.

In Season 2, Episode 13, “Last of the Time Lords,” Martha once again swoops in to save the day. During this episode, the Doctor is remarkably weak and frail, and it appears that there is no way for him to escape the Master’s devious plan. Yet, Martha decides to take matters into her own hands and spends many months striving to turn the Master’s satellite system against him. Thus, Martha’s hard work and stoic attitude help to restore the Doctor to his normal state and stop the Master from bringing down the entire universe. This is also a prime example of Martha’s independence. She rarely relies on anyone to help her, which could be seen as a negative trait but also exemplifies just how powerful she is on her own. Thus, even when her relationship with the Doctor is wearing thin, Martha is still able to stand on her own two feet and carry a plot to completion.

Her Family Struggles Were Relatable to Contemporary Audiences

5 of the Best Martha Jones Episodes

• Season 3, Episode 11, “Utopia”
• Season 3, Episode 8, “Human Nature”
• Season 3, Episode 2, “The Shakespeare Code”
• Season 4, Episode 12, “The Stolen Earth”
• Season 3, Episode 7, “42”

Previously, fans didn’t really get to look inside their favorite companions’ personal lives. Apart from a few references here and there, companions were usually kept within the confines of alien worlds and the TARDIS. But Marta’s time on Doctor Who allowed fans to meet her immediate family, and they were surprisingly dysfunctional. In Season 3, Episode 6, “The Lazarus Experiment,” the Jones family meets the Doctor for the first time, and it’s fair to say that they aren’t very pleased with him. Though long-time fans of the show may see the Doctor as a harmless figure, Martha’s mother, Francine, was determined to get her daughter away from this man as quickly as possible. This negative dynamic is actually quite realistic and helps to bring the Doctor’s ego down to a reasonable level. Thus, fans realize that Martha’s family is only trying to keep her safe and that traveling with the Doctor is not for the faint-hearted.

Fans notice a similar altercation at the end of Season 3, Episode 1, “Smith and Jones”. After her brother’s birthday party ends in a huge argument, Martha runs out of the pub to try and restore a sense of peace. Instead, she meets the Doctor once again and decides to leave this chaos and go exploring with him in the TARDIS instead. Again, the disruption found within Martha’s family is surprisingly common and helps to make her feel more realistic and authentic. It also creates the impression that anyone can travel with the Doctor just as long as they meet them in the right place at the right time. In turn, Martha’s journey makes fans feel hopeful that they will be able to leave the rat race and explore what the universe has to offer.

Why Did Martha Jones Leave Doctor Who?

As Season 3 came to a close, so did Martha Jones’ time on the TARDIS. After being chased by some of the universe’s most gruesome aliens, Jones felt it was best to leave this life behind and go back to focusing on her career. Yet, that wasn’t really the case. Martha became an esteemed member of UNIT and even joined Torchwood for a while so that she could help the team keep Earth safe from the next alien invasion. But, it seems that as the 10th Doctor’s arc concluded, so did any reference to Martha Jones.

It’s still unknown why Freema Agyeman decided to leave Doctor Who, especially after her success. However, it is speculated that she left to secure a role in Law & Order UK. Though Martha appears as an Easter Egg in “The Day of the Doctor” and was included in some of Big Finish’s audio drama, there’s no denying that fans want more. The fact that Martha’s arc ended so abruptly was quite surprising to fans, and many viewers felt that she deserved a much better send-off. But, as the Whoniverse continues to expand and a new era begins on Disney+, there’s still hope for this tenacious companion to return.