Maureen O'Brien's journey in the entertainment industry began with a teaching diploma from the prestigious Central School of Speech and Drama. She then joined the Everyman Theatre in her hometown of Liverpool, where she spent a brief yet formative period honing her craft. However, her life took an unexpected turn when she was persuaded to audition for the iconic role of Vicki on the beloved sci-fi series Doctor Who. Initially hesitant, O'Brien eventually accepted the part, partly to be with her then-boyfriend, who was based in London and later became her husband.
Although she developed a fondness for her Doctor Who colleagues, O'Brien has since revealed that she did not truly enjoy the experience, citing the intense media scrutiny that accompanied the role. After departing the show, she transitioned to a more low-key profession as a supply teacher at a girls' school in Kennington. This period was followed by a return to the theatre, which in turn led to a three-year stint in Canada. Upon her return to the UK in the mid-1970s, O'Brien's career experienced a resurgence, with further success in theatre, television, radio, and film, as well as her work as a writer of crime fiction.
