Daphne Ashbrook

Daphne Ashbrook (born 30th January 1963 in Long Beach, California) played Doctor Grace Holloway in the 1996 Doctor Who television movie, opposite Paul McGann as the Eighth Doctor.

Ms. Ashbrook has appeared in many other television and film roles including Star Trek: Deep Space Nine (as the titular character in "Melora"). Ashbrook is notable for being one of the few actors to appear in both the Star Trek and Doctor Who franchises (along with her DS9 co-star Alexander Siddig). She is also the first (and to date, only) American actor to play the role of a companion in the television franchise. (Nicola Bryant was promoted as American during her appearance in the series, but was actually English).

Her part in Doctor Who caused consternation among some of that show's fans because the Doctor shares a romantic kiss with her at the end of the movie, whereas he had been a rather asexual character when previously portrayed on television (the point was rendered moot in the subsequent series revival). Ashbrook performed in the Big Finish Productions audio play "The Next Life" opposite Paul McGann as the Eighth Doctor, but playing a different character named Perfection.

Currently she can be seen acting on The O.C.. She is the sister of actor Dana Ashbrook who appeared in Twin Peaks and Dawson's Creek.