K is for... Katryca

 

Katryca was the Queen of the Tribe of the Free on the planet Ravolox. The Doctor discovered that this world was actually the Earth, its surface destroyed by a firestorm and shifted across the galaxy by the High Council of the Time Lords. 

Some survivors remained in a shelter deep underground, presided over by a robot known as Drathro. It maintained strict numbers due to scarce resources - ordering regular culls when the population grew too large. However, a human guard named Merdeen was really helping them escape to the surface instead. Here they encountered other survivors who had remained on the surface - becoming the Tribe of the Free. 

They worshipped a large ebony-like mast, which was really a black light energy collector for Drathro. This mast was made of a rare mineral of great value, and Katryca was used to visitors from space wanting to get hold of it. They knew of life on other planets, but regarded them as hostile and they were generally sacrificed. This was to be the fate of Sabalom Glitz who had been employed by the Master to steal knowledge stolen from the Matrix, which was being held by Drathro. (It was to conceal this theft that the Time Lords had destroyed the planet). 

The Doctor's companion Peri was informed by Katryca that she would not be sacrificed. Instead she would be married off to multiple husbands as the tribe needed more members.

It was Katryca's plan to invade the shelter, but they feared Drathro. When its L1 service robot was destroyed Katryca thought that they had killed Drathro and so lead an attack on the shelter. She discovered her mistake too late and was killed by Drathro.

Played by: Joan Sims. Appearances: Trial of a Time Lord Parts 1 - 4 (1986).

• Sims was a regular member of the Carry On... team, appearing in 24 of the films from Carry On Nurse in 1959 to Carry On Emmanuelle in 1978. She also featured in many popular sitcoms over the years. One serious role was in A Murder is Announced, a BBC Miss Marple dramatisation, made just before her Doctor Who episodes.
• An early film role was in Will Any Gentleman...? (1953) which, as most Doctor Who fans know, featured both William Hartnell and Jon Pertwee.
• Sadly her personal life was not a happy one. She suffered from depression and alcohol issues. She died in 2001 at the age of 71.