Poppy

Played by Sienna-Robyn Mavanga-Phipps

Voiced by Shola Olaitan-Ajiboye

"Babies to the rescue!"

First Regular Appearance
Space Babies

Captain Poppy has a strong sense of resolve and leadership, taking command of the other babies that make up the crew of Babystation Beta. She has earned their trust and loyalty – to the point where they will even follow her into action against the terrifying Bogeyman

Poppy also possesses advanced intelligence for her age, which causes the Space Babies to question if they have “grown up wrong”. But a bit of reassurance from the Doctor reminds her that nobody grows up wrong, and that everyone in the whole universe is unique in their own way.

 

Character Bio

Captain Poppy first meets the Doctor and Ruby when the TARDIS lands on a dilapidated space station that operated as a parthenogenic “baby farm”. As one of the last ‘Space Babies’ to be born before they were abandoned by the adult crew, Poppy took command of the space station, keeping everyone safe from the sinister Bogeyman lurking in the lower levels. Like the rest of the babies, Poppy eagerly awaited the eventual return of their parents - whom she mistakes the Doctor and Ruby for when they first arrive! 

When crew member Eric disappears, after attempting to confront the Bogeyman himself, Captain Poppy leads a rescue mission to save the Doctor, Ruby and Eric from the Bogeyman – with a flamethrower! 

However, when Jocelyn attempts to throw the Bogeyman out of an airlock, Poppy is one of the first babies to feel sympathy for the monster. When Babystation Beta is eventually stabilised and propelled towards a new world (where they might find a home), Poppy and her fellow Space Babies travel hopefully with both the Bogeyman and Jocelyn for company.

Actor information

This is the first acting credit for child actor Sienna-Robyn Mavanga-Phipps. Showrunner Russell T Davies said of her in Doctor Who Magazine: “The Doctor's interaction with baby Poppy is unusually affecting because you know the real baby on set, little Sienna, isn't acting. It's a completely honest reaction to Ncuti as the Doctor, who plays it beautifully. Magic happens there.”

Captain Poppy is voiced by Shola Olaitan-Ajiboye. This is also her first credit.