Actor James Bree passes away

Character actor James Bree has passed away at the age of 85 following a long illness. The actor was probably known for his several appearances in the original series of Doctor Who and a recurring role in Secret Army.

Actor James Bree has passed away at the age of 85 following a long illness, The Stage newspaper reports. The actor is well known to Doctor Who fans for his several appearances in the series playing different characters. Bree made his first Doctor Who appearance in 1969 in Patrick Troughton’s final story as The Doctor. Bree played The Security Chief in the ten-part story The War Games, his character was scheming against his rival The War Chief to secure power. Bree returned to the series in 1980 during Tom Baker’s final season to appear in Full Circle, the first part of the E-Space Trilogy. In the well received story the actor played Decider Nefred. His final appearance was in 1986 in Colin Baker’s final story, The Trial of a Time Lord. Bree appeared in the final two episodes of the story as The Keeper of the Matrix.

Outside the world of Doctor Who the actor had a recurring role in the first season of Secret Army, the BBC drama series set in occupied Belgium during the Second World War. The actor also had a role in the critically acclaimed The Jewel in the Crown and appeared in countless other shows such as Z Cars, Crown Court, The Duchess of Duke Street, Silent Witness, Rumpole of the Bailey, The Professionals, Upstairs Downstairs, On the Buses and Rising Damp.

The actor passed away in December of 2008 but his death has only just been announced.