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Blake's 7 favourite Jan Chappell backs reboot of cult sci-fi series – and reveals whether she would return
The actor reflected on her decision to leave the cult BBC drama after three seasons.
Frank Barratt/Keystone/Getty Images
- Morgan Jeffery
Published: Tuesday, 10 November 2026 at 5:00 pm
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Blake's 7 star Jan Chappell has revealed why she decided to leave the classic science-fiction series at the end of its third season.
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Chappell played Cally, the telepathic alien who joined the crew of the Liberator in the show's first season, remaining a key member of the ensemble until her departure in 1980.
Although the character survived the events of season 3's dramatic finale, Terminal, she was subsequently killed off-screen in the opening episode of season 4, Rescue, with Chappell recording a voiceover for Cally's final moments.
Speaking at a recent BFI Southbank screening celebrating the third season of Blake's 7, Chappell reflected on her decision to depart the programme and explained that she had begun to lose enthusiasm for the role.
"I suppose it was around that time when they were talking about season 4, and I'd already decided round about [season 3 episode] 'Harvest of Kairos' that I would [leave]," she recalled.
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At the time, Chappell had become increasingly interested in pursuing different acting opportunities, particularly after seeing other performers working on prestigious productions at the BBC.
"And also getting kind of... watching the lift of BBC Centre going up with all these actors – people I knew as well – going up to do the latest Shakespeare and thinking, 'I'd like to do that' and I think, 'I've got to move on.'
"But also because I know that my heart was going out and had gone out of it, and I know that you can't do your best work when you're starting to lose the feeling for it.
"I won't be able to do such... You know, I won't feel happy, so I won't be doing the best."
Despite feeling that it was time to move on, Chappell admitted that she now regrets not returning to give Cally a proper on-screen farewell.
"To be honest, I'm very lucky, and I don't have many regrets in life, my choices I've made, but that is one I do regret."
Chappell went on to reveal that there had been discussions about her remaining with the series for a shorter period.
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"I mean, I was offered a series, then I was offered six episodes, then I was offered three, I was offered one, and in the end, I said, 'Look, I'll do a voiceover.'
"I was bringing up a pretty young son, who was three by the time I sort of finished doing that. So I was a working single mother, basically, really. So I did have this other sort of... I don't think I was concentrating enough, but I do regret that.
"I would have liked... I mean, I think I should have done at least an episode."
Instead, viewers learned of Cally's death at the beginning of season 4, when the destruction of the underground complex on the planet Terminal claimed her life.
It was an abrupt end for a character who had been part of the series since its earliest days, and one that has continued to provoke discussion among fans.
Later in the BFI Q&A, Chappell was asked how she might have preferred Cally's story to conclude, had she returned for another episode or two.
Her suggested alternative was somewhat less definitive than the character's eventual fate.
"I think she goes missing, and everybody looks for her, and then in the end they go, 'Well, no, we can't find her,'" she said. "I don't want to get blown up."
Although Chappell has expressed regrets about Cally's departure, she remains enthusiastic about the show's future, having also welcomed plans for a Blake's 7 reboot – while admitting that she doesn't expect to be involved in the new version.
Blake's 7: The Collection – Series 3 will be released on 23 November by BBC Studios.
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Authors
Morgan Jeffery
Morgan Jeffery is as a TV and Film expert and has appeared on BBC Breakfast, BBC Radio 5 Live and Sky Atlantic.
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