Vale: Richard Franklin

Veteran British actor Richard Franklin, best known for his roles in Doctor Who, died on early Christmas morning aged 87.

Longtime friend Líam Rudden shared the news via social media saying, “It is with great sadness, that the family of Richard Franklin have asked me to share news of his passing, early this morning. Richard passed away peacefully in his sleep. Details of funeral arrangements will be shared here when announced. Sleep well Richard.”

Deadline reports Franklin’s breakout TV role was in the British soap Crossroads in the role of Joe Townsend debuting in 1969. He followed that up with his Doctor Who debut two years later as UNIT Captain Mike Yates in Terror of the Autons while Jon Pertwee starred as the Third Doctor. Following his time in Planet of the Spiders, Franklin continued to play Mike Yates in specials, spinoffs, audio plays and in the novel he wrote, The Killing Stone, with his character serving as the lead of the tale.

Additional credits include The Doctors, Little Women, The Pathfinders, Blake’s 7, The Borgias, Emmerdale, Heartbeat plus Rogue One.