Richard Franklin obit

Richard Franklin, ‘Doctor Who’ and ‘Rogue One: A Star Wars Story’ Actor, Dead at 87

The British actor, who starred on both the stage and screen, died in his sleep Monday after a long-term illness. 

He was not on the list.

Richard Franklin, better known for his portrayal of Captain Mike Yates during Jon Pertwee’s run of Doctor Who, has died at 87.

The actor’s death Monday morning was confirmed by Liam Rudden, a friend of Franklin’s who ran his social media. Rudden shared in a family statement that the late actor had “died in his sleep after fighting long term illness.”

“We are deeply saddened by his loss, we will fondly remember him for his generosity, creative spirit and fantastic story telling,” the statement continues. “He is also well remembered outside the family for his long running career in TV and Theatre where he delighted audiences of all ages. This gave him great joy and we know his legacy will last.”

Rudden continued to share tributes on Franklin’s X page, sharing that Franklin would “have loved that he is trending” and writing, “One thing I loved about managing Richard’s social media was reading him your messages. He was always surprised and humbled by the love shown to him and it was very much reciprocated. That love is so evident right now and I’m sure will be of great comfort to his family.”

The long-time stage actor made his TV debut in a 1966 episode of the British series Dixon of Dock Green, before his screen breakout in a nine-episode run of ITV soap Crossroads. He would go on to appear in The Doctors, Little Women mini-series, and The Borgias in one-off appearances, alongside more recent film appearances, including in 2016’s Rogue One: A Star Wars Story.

But he would be best known for his turn as a regular on Emmerdale Farm, where he portrayed Denis Rigg for two years. He would also appear as Captain Mike Yates of UNIT in Doctor Who from 1971 to 1974 during Pertwee’s run, a character he would return to again and again for Doctor Who: Dimensions in Time and other spin-off media.

In addition to his numerous appearances in Doctor Who audio dramas, including the audiobook Last of the Gaderene by Mark Gatiss, Franklin's audio credits include two years at BBC radio drama; Sapphire and Steel: The Surest Poison (Big Finish); Harrison Howell in the BBC Radio 2 production of Kiss Me Kate (1996); USA Family Radio; and his own World War I docudrama Luck of the Draw. He also played Davros' father, Nasgard, in the Big Finish audio drama miniseries I, Davros.

In 2009 Franklin starred in "The First Days of Spring" for the band Noah and the Whale.

Franklin worked as a theatre critic, and published a number of reviews for the Edinburgh Evening News and fringereview.co.uk.

 

ilmography

Film

Year     Title            Role            Notes

1968    The Fiction Makers            Guard  

2004            Feedback        Mr. Montague        

2008            Chemical Wedding            Dean of Trinity University        

2009    The First Days of Spring  Older Ethan   

2013    Twilight of the Gods            Richard Wagner           

2016    Rogue One            Engineer          

Television

Year     Title            Role            Notes

1966    Dixon of Dock Green            PBX Operator            Episode: "Fire, Sleet and Candlelight"

1968    The Saint     Guard            Episode: "The Fiction Makers"

1969            Crossroads     Joe Townsend            36 episodes

1970    The Doctors            Young Doctor            Episode: #1.24

1970    From a Bird's Eye View            Constable            Episode: "Family Tree"

1970    Little Women            Jack Scott            Episode: #1.5

1971–1974, 1983    Doctor Who     Captain Mike Yates            42 episodes

1973    The Pathfinders            Flying Officer Bundy            Episode: "Operation Pickpocket"

1980    Blake's 7            Federation Trooper            Episode: "Aftermath"

1981    The Borgias Party Guest            Episode: "Part 1"

1984    Waving to a Train            Young Richard            TV movie

1988–1989            Emmerdale      Denis Rigg     35 episodes

1993    Doctor Who: Dimensions in Time     Captain Yates   Mini episode: "Part 2"

1993    Harry            Solicitor            Episode: #1.11

1995    The Gambling Man            Gambler            Episode: #1.1

1997            Heartbeat        Doctor            Episode: "Fool for Love"