Van Helsing

Van Helsing was a fictional character who wielded a crucifix, possibly to defend against vampires. (PROSE: The Deadstone Memorial)

The Third Doctor identified film actor Peter Cushing as "that splendid chap Van Helsing", (PROSE: A Visit to the Cinema) which was probably the role in which he used a crucifix. (PROSE: The Tomorrow Windows)

In 1942, Van Helsing ventured to the Hebrides and discovered Frankenstein's monster encased in ice. He returned to Great Britain, taking the frozen monster with him. During the train ride to London, Van Helsing sat in the same compartment as Professor Challenger. The Eighth Doctor and Char briefly encountered the adventurers during the journey. (PROSE: Mad Dogs and Englishmen)

Iris Wildthyme once held a party in Hobbe's End in 1972 which Van Helsing attended. (PROSE: From Wildthyme with Love)

Behind the scenes

 * Professor Abraham van Helsing was originally a character from Bram Stoker's novel Dracula. He was adapted as "Lawrence van Helsing" in the Hammer Dracula film series, where the character was indeed played by Peter Cushing, who also later played his own descendant, Lorrimer van Helsing, in two more movies.
 * Lorrimer van Helsing debuted in Dracula A.D. 1972, which suggests that the Van Helsing active in 1972 in From Wildthyme with Love may be intended to be that particular rendition of the character archetype.
 * In addition to Peter Cushing, Van Helsing has been played by Bernard Archard, Frank Finlay, David Warner, David Suchet and Terence Maynard in various media.