Julia Sawalha played Emma in the Comic Relief Doctor Who spoof The Curse of Fatal Death. She is the daughter of Nadim Sawalha. She also portrayed Lynda, one of the two leading characters, in Press Gang, the first television show for which future Doctor Who showrunner Steven Moffat wrote.
She was suggested for the role of Kate Tollinger, who would have been the Seventh Doctor's new companion in Season 27 of Doctor Who had the classic series not been cancelled in 1989. Tollinger formed the basis for the character of the audio companion Raine Creevy.