Ben Wolsey
Ben Wolsey was a farmer who lived in Little Hodcombe.
Biography[[edit] | [edit source]]
Ben Wolsey was a staunch friend of Jane Hampden (PROSE: The Awakening [+]Loading...["The Awakening (novelisation)"]) as well as a friend of Sir George Hutchinson. He lived in a farmhouse in Little Hodcombe and considered his parlour, which was accurately decorated to resemble a parlour of the 17th century, to be his pride and joy. (TV: The Awakening [+]Loading...["The Awakening (TV story)"]) His barn was messy and Jane doubted that he knew half of the things he was keeping in it. (PROSE: The Awakening [+]Loading...["The Awakening (novelisation)"])
In 1984, Wolsey participated in Sir George's war games as a Roundhead colonel, (TV: The Awakening [+]Loading...["The Awakening (TV story)"]) although he did so rather late compared to the other villagers (PROSE: The Awakening [+]Loading...["The Awakening (novelisation)"]) and knew that the purpose was to gain power from the Malus. (TV: The Awakening [+]Loading...["The Awakening (TV story)"]) He maintained a neutral view when Jane complained to Sir George about the games (PROSE: The Awakening [+]Loading...["The Awakening (novelisation)"]) and was horrified when Joseph Willow captured the Fifth Doctor, Tegan Jovanka and Vislor Turlough, but he obeyed Sir George and recaptured Tegan after the trio escaped.
Learning from Tegan the true evil of the Malus, Wolsey turned against Sir George and replaced Tegan as Queen of the May with a scarecrow to prevent her from being burnt to death. He got Tegan safely to the church and joined her after Sir George uncovered the ruse. When Sir George followed, Wolsey attempted to talk him out of serving the Malus, but Sir George came under its control and he was killed by Will Chandler. Wolsey subsequently assured Willow that he would hold no grudges for anything that happened during the war games. (TV: The Awakening [+]Loading...["The Awakening (TV story)"])
Personality[[edit] | [edit source]]
Wolsey was a soft-mannered, down-to-earth man who had always been a good friend to Jane Hampden. Because of his usual demeanor, Jane was surprised upon learning that he had gotten involved in the war games. (PROSE: The Awakening [+]Loading...["The Awakening (novelisation)"]) He was enthusiastic about antiques (TV: The Awakening [+]Loading...["The Awakening (TV story)"]) and transformed his farmhouse into a 17th century manor through careful design and curating a collection. (PROSE: The Awakening [+]Loading...["The Awakening (novelisation)"])
Appearance[[edit] | [edit source]]
Wolsey was red-faced and burly. (PROSE: The Awakening [+]Loading...["The Awakening (novelisation)"])
Behind the scenes[[edit] | [edit source]]
- Joss Ackland, Terence Alexander, Michael Craig, James Ellis, Peter Gilmore, John Hallam, Donald Houston, Jeremy Kemp, Conrad Phillips, Patrick Stewart, John Stratton and Peter Vaughan were considered for the role before Glyn Houston was cast.[source needed]
