To TV viewers of a certain age, Kate O’Mara was that rare blend of sex appeal, scares and sassiness. So it is with another “S” word, sadness, that we report she has died at the age of 74.
Born in 1939, the daughter of an RAF flying instructor and an actress, O’Mara initially considered art following her boarding school education but quickly became a full-time actress. She made her stage debut in 1963 in a production of The Merchant Of Venice, but truly established herself on television.
During the 1960s and 70s, she appeared in a slew of guest starring slots on shows such as Danger Man, The Saint, Z-Cars, The Champions, The Avengers, Department S and Jason King. She became known for her sultry performances and her ability to blend beauty with danger.
Her most notable roles came with soaps or sci-fi, including ferry drama Triangle, boating soap Howard’s Way and her run as Cassandra “Caress” Morrell on Dynasty. Doctor Who fans remember her from her time as cunning villainess The Rani, a Time Lady who caused no end of trouble for Colin Baker and Sylvester McCoy’s incarnations of The Doctor.
“Kate O'Mara is no longer with us. Sad sad news, tweeted Baker today. “A delightful, committed and talented lady and actress. We are the poorer.”
On the big screen, she made her mark in horror, appearing in Hammer titles The Vampire Lovers and The Horror Of Frankenstein, but was also seen in The Tamarind Seed and Carnage. Our thoughts are with her friends and family.