Nicola Bryant
An English actress who, as the first American companion in Doctor Who, brought a burst of 1980s glamour and spirited defiance to the TARDIS.
Born 1960 (age 66)·English actress·Birthday: October 11·Baby Boomers
Biography
Nicola Bryant entered the world of 'Doctor Who' at a pivotal, turbulent time for the series. Cast as Perpugilliam 'Peri' Brown, a botany student from America, she brought a contemporary vitality and a pronounced sense of fashion that stood out against the show's sometimes shabby sets. Tasked with maintaining an American accent despite being thoroughly English, Bryant played Peri with a blend of courage and vulnerability, navigating adventures with both the gentle Fifth Doctor and the abrasive, newly-regenerated Sixth. Her tenure, though brief, left a lasting impression on fans for the character's resilience and for Bryant's committed performance during a period of significant change behind the scenes. She remains a vibrant presence at fan conventions, forever linked to the show's enduring legacy.
Baby Boomers
1946–1964
The largest generation in history at the time. Shaped by postwar prosperity, the Vietnam War, the sexual revolution, and Watergate. They questioned every institution their parents built — then ran them.
Nicola was born in 1960, placing them squarely in the Baby Boomers. The events that shaped this generation — postwar prosperity, civil rights, Vietnam, and the counterculture — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Nicola Was Born
The biggest hits of 1960
#1 Movie
Swiss Family Robinson
Best Picture
The Apartment
#1 TV Show
Gunsmoke
Nicola's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1960Born
Kennedy-Nixon debates become first televised presidential debates
Gas: $0.31/galHome: $11,900Min wage: $1.00/hrPresident: Dwight D. Eisenhower"Theme from A Summer Place" — Percy FaithBest Picture: The Apartment
1965Started school
US sends combat troops to Vietnam
Gas: $0.31/galHome: $13,600Min wage: $1.25/hrPresident: Lyndon B. Johnson"(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction" — The Rolling StonesBest Picture: The Sound of Music
1973Became a teenager
US withdraws from Vietnam; Roe v. Wade decided
Gas: $0.39/galHome: $22,100Min wage: $1.60/hrPresident: Richard Nixon"Tie a Yellow Ribbon Round the Ole Oak Tree" — Tony Orlando & DawnBest Picture: The Sting
1976Could drive
Apple Computer founded; US bicentennial
Gas: $0.59/galHome: $29,300Min wage: $2.30/hrPresident: Gerald Ford"Silly Love Songs" — WingsBest Picture: Rocky
1978Could vote
First test-tube baby born
Gas: $0.63/galHome: $35,300Min wage: $2.65/hrPresident: Jimmy Carter"Shadow Dancing" — Andy GibbBest Picture: The Deer Hunter
1981Turned 21
MTV launches; first Space Shuttle flight; AIDS identified
Gas: $1.31/galHome: $52,300Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Bette Davis Eyes" — Kim CarnesBest Picture: Chariots of Fire
1990Turned 30
Hubble Space Telescope launched; Germany reunifies
Gas: $1.15/galHome: $79,100Min wage: $3.80/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"Hold On" — Wilson PhillipsBest Picture: Dances with Wolves
2000Turned 40
Y2K passes without incident; contested Bush-Gore election
Gas: $1.51/galHome: $119,600Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Breathe" — Faith HillBest Picture: Gladiator
2010Turned 50
Deepwater Horizon oil spill; iPad launched
Gas: $2.79/galHome: $147,800Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Tik Tok" — KeshaBest Picture: The King's Speech
2020Turned 60
COVID-19 pandemic shuts down the world
Gas: $2.17/galHome: $248,800Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"Blinding Lights" — The WeekndBest Picture: Nomadland
2026Age 66 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Played companion Peri Brown on 'Doctor Who' for two seasons, appearing alongside both Peter Davison and Colin Baker.
- Was the first regular companion character on the classic series to be portrayed as American.
- Reprised the role of Peri in numerous audio dramas for Big Finish Productions, expanding the character's story beyond television.
- Appeared in a variety of British television series including 'The Bill' and 'Doctors' after her time on 'Doctor Who.'
Did You Know?
To convincingly play an American, she studied by watching hours of 'Dallas' and 'Dynasty.'
She performed her own stunt in the serial 'The Caves of Androzani,' falling into a pit of deadly marsh gas.
She originally auditioned for the role of Tegan Jovanka's sister before being cast as Peri.
She is a trained dancer and attended the Arts Educational School in London.
“I was the first companion to wear a bikini on 'Doctor Who', which caused quite a stir.”
