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from Starlog, January 1992

by George Farnsworth

Sandy Ludlow is not a person the average fan would associate with science fiction television. Yet this versatile actress/musician has appeared in a number of the best-loved shows of all time. She found some time in her busy schedule to talk about her experiences in the world of SF recently.

"My brother's more into science fiction than I am," the pretty Brit admits while sipping from a large bottle of Evian. "I'm usually attracted to a project because of the people involved, then Michael will review it. If he thinks it's okay, then I'll do it."

How did she get involved with Sapphire and Steel? "I had just come off a six episode variety series with my first husband, and was looking for something to do until the rest of the Honeybears decided it was time to do another album. I was offered the film version of Grease, and I almost took it, too, but Michael talked me out of it. He gave me the script for the first episode of Sapphire and Steel, and said simply that it was good, and that David McCallum was going to be Steel. That was enough to sell me. I'm glad now, of course, that I did it, because it proved to be such a turning point."

Sandy smiled at our confusion, and continued, "Personally, that is. Davy was such an idiot over it, it really marked the beginning of the end of our marriage. And David— well, he was so supportive and all, it made me realize that I really loved him more." She blushed then, and had some more water. "But enough of that."

How did she get the guest role on Doctor Who?  "Again, through an old friend. I'd known Peter Davison for years— he used to help answer Honeybears fan mail, and he was such a help to Meg when she was pregnant with Eric. Apparently the show's producer (John Nathan-Turner— ed.) was keen on having famous actors and musicians guesting, so Peter thought he'd bring on a few he knew. So I appeared in "Enlightenment." I had a fun time— I tried not to play it too camp, and I think that helped. Of course, it was great working with Peter professionally, and the two companions— Janet Fielding and Mark Strickson— were nice, too. Mark even gave me a case of his homemade wine at the end of filming."

How did the Quantum Leap episode come about? "By osmosis, I think. We were sitting around after dinner one night, me and David and Meg and Mike and Scott (Bakula) and his misus, talking about the show, and what a great premise it was. We somehow got on the subject of life-turning events. I mentioned that if it weren't for David convincing me otherwise, I probably would have quit the Honeybears permanently in 1967. We started imagining what my life would have been like, then Scott said it sounded like an episode. That got the old wheels turning. We adjoined to David's study, turned on the computer, and three hours later had an outline. Scott presented it to the producer the following morning, and, well, there you are."

What was it like, playing a younger version of herself? "It was scary in a way, really. A lot of the clothes I wore in the episode I had worn in 1967. Between that and the make-up, I really felt I was back there.

"The first day on the set, Dean Stockwell came up to me and said, 'I remember that dress. You wore it the Saturday of the Monterrey Pop Festival.' Turns out he was there, and had tried to chat me up. I had forgotten all about it until he reminded me."

Did she have any favorite bits from the episode? "Getting to sing with Scott again, of course, and having to ignore Dean when he was in a scene. But I think my favorite was watching the mirror shots being done, and seeing David and Scott have to match movements and David mime to Scott's voice. I had to leave the set, I was giggling so much. But I'm quite pleased with the final product."