Classify the Sci-Fi Characters Quiz

Answer: Blake's 7

'Blake's 7' was relatively short-lived, lasting for only four seasons beginning in 1978 and ending in 1981. It still has a dedicated fan base and the idea of a revival has been floated, although seems unlikely.

The story was set in the future, date unspecified, where space travel is common. The leading character, Roj Blake, has been arrested as a dissident but manages to escape when he and two others are sent to examine an abandoned spaceship. The three of them manage to get it working, rename it 'Liberator', and begin a campaign against the authorities. Vila Restal (Michael Keating) is the only character to appear throughout the four seasons. He is a thief and coward, and provides some comic relief in the show.

Answer: Blake's 7

Usually referred to just as Avon and played by Paul Darrow, the character became one of the most compelling in the series. He is depicted as a near genius, although that didn't stop him being arrested for embezzlement It did bring him into contact with Blake, and helps the two of them escape while being transported to imprisonment on a planet far from Earth.

Avon remains a leading figure, with his character depicted as aloof with unclear motives. He is, however, loyal and is responsible for saving the lives of his colleagues on several occasions. He even resists the attempts of Servalan to seduce him, recognising that he is unlikely to survive any involvement with her. At the end of season four, his fate is left unresolved with shots being fired at the remaining members of 'Blake's 7' - who dies is never revealed.

Answer: Blake's 7

Servalan is the major villain in the series, determined to destroy Blake and his allies and capture their spaceship. Played by Jacqueline Pearce, the character appeared in all four series of the programme, initially as an officer (commander) in the Federation forces. At the end of season two she is the leader of a coup which installs her as President.

Having been deposed, Servalan disappears but returns using the alias of Commissioner Sleer. The character of Servalan is depicted as cold-blooded and lacking in humanity although she can appear charming if it helps to further her ends.

Answer: Blake's 7

Dayna Mellanby joined the crew of Liberator for seasons four and five and was played by Josette Simon. Although born on Earth, Dayna lived with her father, Hal, on a remote planet named Sarran. Unknown to her, Hal Mellanby had been a resistance fighter against the Federation.

When Servalan is stranded on the planet, Hal is killed while Dayna escapes with Avon, with the Liberator providing a means of escape. Dayna had been a weapons designer and is known for her skill in fighting and as a marksman.

Answer: Doctor Who

'Doctor Who' is one of the longer running television series, at least for one that isn't a soap opera. Its first episode was in 1963 and it has remained fresh by giving the Doctor the power to regenerate, so many different actors have played the role. The first actor to play him was William Hartnell, who was accompanied by Susan Foreman, described as his granddaughter.

The names listed to be matched are all companions to the Doctor. Jo Grant, played by Katy Manning, first appeared in season eight and was a companion to actor Jon Pertwee, the third Doctor. She remained in the series until 1973. The character, and actress, have made guest appearances in later spin-off shows.

Answer: Doctor Who

Rory Williams was one of the companions to the eleventh Doctor Who, played by Matt Smith. He was the fiancé, later husband, of the main companion, Amy Pond. Rory was played by Arthur Darvill and Amy by Karen Gillan. Rory is initially insecure about Amy's relationship with the Doctor, not helped by her abandoning their wedding to go travelling on the Tardis.

Rory goes through many adventures, proving his loyalty over and over again. He fathers a baby with Amy, who eventually turns out to be River Song (Alex Kingston) - those timelines can be difficult to grasp at times. River Song appears periodically and is married to the Doctor at some points, making Rory the father-in-law to The Doctor.

Answer: Doctor Who

Jamie was a companion to the second Doctor Who, played by Patrick Troughton, and is credited with appearing in more episodes (112) than any other companion. Mostly played by Frazer Hines, Jamie is from eighteenth century Scotland, meeting the Doctor just after the Battle of Culloden. His initial appearances spanned the years 1966 to 1969 and Jamie met the Cybermen and the Daleks.

Jamie, still played by Hines, made a brief appearance in the twentieth anniversary show 'The Five Doctors' in 1983 and returned again for 'The Two Doctors' in 1985. Hamish Wilson briefly played the role when Hines was ill in 1968 - the script explained the change as being the result of The Master having stolen Jamie's face.

Answer: Doctor Who

Played by Janet Fielding, Tegan Jovanka was a companion to both the fourth and fifth Doctors, Tom Baker and Peter Davison. She appeared between 1981 and 1984, returning in the final episode featuring Jodie Whittaker's thirteenth Doctor.

Tegan was originally an air hostess from Australia who accidentally enters the Tardis, mistaking it for a standard police box. Her character is forthright and outspoken but she eventually finds the strain of travelling through time too much and is left in London in 1984.

Answer: Torchwood

Running from 2006 until 2011, over four series, 'Torchwood' was a spin-off of 'Doctor Who' - the name is an anagram. The show was set in Wales, so the names of some of the characters reflected this. One of the main characters was Jack Harkness, played by John Barrowman, who had also appeared with both the ninth Doctor (Christopher Eccleston) and the tenth, portrayed by David Tennant in the original series. Freema Agyeman also appeared as a main character in season two, repeating her role of Martha Jones, another of Doctor Who's companions.

Ianto Jones was a member of the team and appeared in the first three series, before being killed off. The actor who played him is Gareth David-Lloyd. The name Ianto is the Welsh version of David.

Answer: Torchwood

The members of the Torchwood Institute were a group dedicated to finding and dealing with extra-terrestrial invaders. Cardiff was said to be the location of a time rift, explaining the unusual number of aliens infesting the city. In series three and four, the group was shown as operating outside the law as fugitives.

Eve Myles played the role of Gwen Cooper, who appeared in all four series. The character was described as a police officer who was recruited by Jack Harkness (Barrowman) after she discovers the Institute and its purpose. During the series Gwen is shown developing from something of an outsider to becoming an action hero.

Answer: Torchwood

Toshiko Sato originally appeared in a single episode of 'Doctor Who' in the Christopher Eccleston era before being made one of the original leading characters in 'Torchwood'. She is played by Japanese actress Naoko Mori and is depicted as a technical expert, particularly on computers.

The character is shown as having an unrequited crush on Owen Harper, her colleague, and both characters are killed off at the end of the second series without having ever formed a proper relationship.

Answer: Torchwood

Depicted by Burn Gorman, Owen Harper appeared in only the first two series of 'Torchwood' with his character being killed off in season two. In fact, he dies twice, the first time by being shot before Harkness partially resurrects him but leaving Harper in a situation of living death, unable to feel pain or pleasure, but also unable to die. At the end of the series a nuclear meltdown enables him to find a way of dying properly.

The character is depicted as something of a narcissist and user of women - a not particularly likeable person.