Julia Sawalha (born 9 September 1968[1]) played Emma, companion and fiancee of alternative versions of the Ninth to Thirteenth Doctors, in the Comic Relief Doctor Who spoof The Curse of Fatal Death.
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. She also auditioned for the role of Ace. (DWM 560)
Career
She's best known for playing Saffron Monsoon in BBC sitcom Absolutely Fabulous, alongside Jennifer Saunders, Joanna Lumley, June Whitfield and Christopher Ryan.
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.
Personal Life
She is the daughter of Big Finish actor Nadim Sawalha.