F is for... Ferrier, Astrid

Astrid Ferrier worked for a man named Giles Kent, who had once been a political ally of Salamander. The two fell out after Salamander began to seek power for himself, and he had Kent discredited. Astrid was an accomplished helicopter pilot. One day she learned that Salamander had been seen on a remote beach in Australia, not far from where she and Kent were based. She rushed to the scene when her fellow agents threatened to kill the would-be dictator. She wanted him alive. She was forced into fighting against her own colleagues to save what turned out to be the Doctor. He was almost identical in appearance to Salamander. Kent and Astrid realised that this similarity could be used by them to gather evidence against Salamander. Astrid arranged for Jamie and Victoria to be taken on as staff at the Central European Zone HQ, where one of Kent's few remaining allies was based. His name was Denes. When he was taken prisoner on fake charges, Astrid arranged an escape plan, but Denes was killed in the attempt.
Later, back in Australia, Astrid joined Kent at his caravan, which had been parked close to Salamander's research installation at Kenowa. She helped him feign his death so that he could move freely around the area. She came across a dying man, Swann, who pointed her towards a nearby cave. Descending into the tunnels she found a shelter full of people who believed that they were the survivors of an atomic war. They had been creating earthquakes and volcanic eruptions at Salamander's behest, thinking they were attacking their enemies when they were really helping him to gain control. Astrid was able to reveal the truth to them, and was shocked to find that Kent had been one of the instigators of this scheme. He really wanted to usurp Salamander's powers for himself, and had been manipulating her all along. Astrid helped the shelter dwellers escape to the surface when the dying Kent - shot by Salamander - self-destructed the complex.

Played by: Mary Peach. Appearances: The Enemy of the World (1967 / 8).