Nabil Shaban, actor, dies

Nabil ShabanActor Nabil Shaban, who portrayed the slug-like alien capitalist Sil in late 1980s Doctor Who, dies at the age of 72. First appearing in 1985’s Vengeance On Varos, Sil was penciled in for a rematch against the Doctor in an episode that would’ve been titled Mission To Magnus, which was ultimately abandoned as the BBC demanded a rethink of the series’ 23rd season; despite this, Sil still make a comeback in parts five through eight of The Trial Of A Time Lord. Mission To Magnus would later be released as a novelization, and finally as a full-cast Big Finish audio drama, in which Shaban revived the role of Sil. (He appeared in another Big Finish audio, Antidote To Oblivion, in 2014, and revived Sil onscreen in the direct-to-video project Sil And The Devil Seeds Of Arodor. The character of Sil was popular enough to become an action figure.) Shaban turned his disability to his advantage in playing the part of the legless creature, but also advocated for other actors with disabilities throughout his career.

June Lockhart, actress, dies

June LockhartActress June Lockhart, best known to genre fans for playing Dr. Maureen Robinson, mother figure of the Robinson family on Lost In Space, dies of natural causes at the age of 100. Prior to her three-season stint on Lost In Space, Ms. Lockhart was already a household name from an even longer run in a maternal role on Lassie. Big screen appearances included She-Wolf Of London, Strange Invaders, Troll, C.H.U.D. II, and a small part in the 1998 reboot Lost In Space. TV appearances included Science Fiction Theatre, Voyage To The Bottom Of The Sea, Darkroom, Whiz Kids, Amazing Stories, Babylon 5, and even a voice role on the The Ren & Stimpy Show.