Born: 23rd June 1925 (as Eileen Mary Ridge)
Died: 20th September 2000 (aged 75 years)
Episodes Broadcast: 1983

Mary Ridge was born in Preston, Lancashire. She worked as a production assistant early in her career, before becoming a director in 1964. Her first credit was an installment of Thursday Theatre, and was followed by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, a number of plays, and more than three dozen episodes of The Newcomers. Ridge became valued for her ability to teach young directors, and she helped set up the television broadcasts which would support the Open University. Ridge remained prolific throughout the Seventies, with work on shows like The Doctors, Z Cars, Dixon Of Dock Green and The Brothers. She also served as the associate producer of The Duchess Of Duke Street for its 1977 season.

Ridge came to know Doctor Who producer John Nathan-Turner when he was still an assistant floor manager. Having cut her teeth on science-fiction with six episodes of Blake's 7, Ridge accepted Nathan-Turner's offer to direct 1983's Terminus, featuring Peter Davison as the Fifth Doctor. Unfortunately, industrial action severely disrupted the production. Renowned for her ability to complete her recordings to schedule, Ridge was incensed that she was prevented from doing so on Terminus, with a remount ultimately proving necessary. As a result, her relationship with Nathan-Turner soured and she did not return to Doctor Who. Ridge directed episodes of Angels and The District Nurse before retiring in the mid-Eighties. She died on September 20th, 2000.