Main content
This programme is not currently available on BBC iPlayer

An Adventure in Space and Time

Dramatised account of how Doctor Who was brought to the screen in 1963 by a young producer frustrated by TV's glass ceiling and an actor unhappy with a career of hard-man roles.

A special one-off drama that travels back to 1963 to see how Doctor Who was first brought to the screen. Actor William Hartnell felt trapped by a succession of hard-man roles. Wannabe producer Verity Lambert was frustrated by the TV industry's glass ceiling. Both of them were to find unlikely hope and unexpected challenges in the form of a Saturday tea-time drama. Allied with a team of unusual but brilliant people, they went on to create the longest running science fiction series ever made.

Followed by William Hartnell: The Original, a five-minute documentary looking at how William Hartnell shaped the Doctor and his legacy. Featuring rare archive footage and new interviews with many who worked with him, including Carole Ann Ford, Peter Purves and Waris Hussein, as well as Matt Smith, Peter Davison and Hartnell's granddaughter Jessica Carney.

1 hour, 19 minutes

Last on

Fri 1 Dec 2023 01:35

Credits

Role Contributor
William Hartnell David Bradley
Verity Lambert Jessica Raine
Sydney Newman Brian Cox
Waris Hussein Sacha Dhawan
Heather Hartnell Lesley Manville
William Russell Jamie Glover
Jacqueline Hill Jemma Powell
Carole Ann Ford Claudia Grant
Mervyn Pinfield Jeff Rawle
Rex Tucker Andrew Woodall
Douglas Camfield Sam Hoare
Judith Carney Cara Jenkins
Arthur Charlie Kemp
Len Roger May
Richard Martin Ian Hallard
Delia Derbyshire Sarah Winter
Peter Brachacki David Annen
Donald Baverstock Mark Eden
Reg Ross Gurney-Randall
Alan Reece Pockney
Writer Mark Gatiss
Producer Matt Strevens
Director Terry McDonough

Broadcasts

  • Thu 21 Nov 2013 21:00
  • Sat 21 Dec 2013 01:50
  • Christmas Day 2013 16:15
  • Sun 24 Aug 2014 22:00
  • Sun 24 Aug 2014 23:00
  • Thu 23 Nov 2023 20:45
  • Fri 1 Dec 2023 01:35

Featured in...