Newham actor Jo Martin, star of Dr Who and Holby City, is one of the top contenders to become the 14th ‘doctor’ when Jodie Whittaker leaves the programme this year.

Jo, who has already played an incarnation of the doctor in series 12, was born in Newham to parents who arrived in the area from Jamaica in the 1950s. She went to Portway primary school then Plashet all girls secondary school.

She told me she loves the diversity of Newham, different cultures and the community spirit. ‘I enjoy getting on with everyone and eating the different types of food available in the area.’

Jo once moved out of the Borough, but missed it so much she returned, saying: “It’s easy reach for everything, such as the local post office, train stations, and our lovely heritage of the Olympics.”

She told me: “I got into acting from the tender age of ten at Monega school, doing school plays. At 14, my first play was “Job Rocking” supported by Benjamin Zephaniah, it got all the way to Edinburgh.

Seventies actresses, like Mona Hammond, Ellen Thomas and Carmen Monroe, became her inspiration.

Two years in Holby City playing neurosurgeon Max McGerry made her a household name; she also appeared briefly in EastEnders.

Eventually Dr Who producers saw Jo in a film, she auditioned for the part and was cast as ‘The Fugitive of Judoon’.

She said: “Dr Who put me on the map internationally, the first black person playing the lead part. I am very proud, my family is proud and I hope I make the Newham community proud. Acting in Dr. Who is a big achievement for me.”

Covid has made work challenging when work dried up, but it helped her and her family to take a break after their busy lifestyle.

For relaxation, she loves to be in her kitchen cooking good healthy food and relaxing with her family as well as cycling around Newham for her wellbeing.

Jo was voted third in a Radio Times reader poll to find the most popular contender to follow Jodie Foster, behind Michael Sheen and Richard Ayoade.

No news is bad news

Independent news outlets like ours – reporting for the community without rich backers – are under threat of closure, turning British towns into news deserts.

The audiences they serve know less, understand less, and can do less.

If our coverage has helped you understand our community a little bit better, please consider supporting us with a monthly, yearly or one-off donation.

Choose the news. Don’t lose the news.

Monthly direct debit

Annual direct debit

£5 per month supporters get a digital copy of each month’s paper before anyone else, £10 per month supporters get a digital copy of each month’s paper before anyone else and a print copy posted to them each month. £50 annual supporters get a digital copy of each month's paper before anyone else.