An Adventure In Space and Time: The Origins of Doctor Who (21st November)

[Ian Lethbridge-Stewart]

There's a bit more of the official BBC Doctor Who site.

As part of the BBC’s blockbuster celebrations to mark the 50th anniversary of Doctor Who, David Bradley (Harry Potter) is set to play the first ever Doctor, the iconic William Hartnell in the BBC Two drama ‘An Adventure in Space and Time’.

‘An Adventure in Space and Time' will tell the story of the genesis of Doctor Who - first aired on 23 November 1963 - and the many personalities involved. The BBC’s Head of Drama Sydney Newman, credited with the creation of the show, will be portrayed by Brian Cox (The Bourne Supremacy, The Bourne Identity) and the producer, Verity Lambert, by ‘Call the Midwife’ star Jessica Raine. The director of the first ever episode, ‘An Unearthly Child’, Waris Hussein, will be played by Sacha Dhawan (History Boys, Last Tango In Halifax).

Commenting on his upcoming role, David Bradley, said:

“I’m absolutely thrilled. I first heard about this role from Mark [Gatiss] while watching the Diamond Jubilee flotilla from the roof of the National Theatre. When he asked if I would be interested, I almost bit his hand off! Mark has written such a wonderful script not only about the birth of a cultural phenomenon, but a moment in television’s history. William Hartnell was one of the finest character actors of our time and as a fan I want to make sure that I do him justice. I’m so looking forward to getting started.”

The one-off 90-minute BBC Cymru Wales produced drama is written by Mark Gatiss who will also act as executive producer alongside Steven Moffat and Caroline Skinner.

Mark Gatiss, executive producer and writer, said:

“What a cast! I'm utterly delighted that everyone's favourite Time Lord will be in such brilliant and stellar company. We have a terrific team who can't wait to tell the fascinating and surprising story of how the Doctor began his journey through Space and Time.”

Filming begins at the beginning of February at Television Centre before moving to Wimbledon Studios. It is produced by Matt Strevens (Misfits, Skins) and directed by Terry McDonough (Breaking Bad, The Street).

[Simon R]

Perfect casting for Hartnell. Don't think I've seen the others in anything but I'm sure they'll be fine. 90 minutes is good. I think the Corrie one was only 75!

[Richard Brinck-Johnsen]

The main press release came through after I'd switched my laptop off for the night so only managed to post on Facebook but yes the four main cast have now been announced as per Andrew's post above

[SiHart]

Excellent casting!

[Dino]

Excellent casting!

Never had any doubts before, but now it can't possibly fail!

[SiHart]

He's very reminiscent of Hartnell in this pic...

[Dirk Gently]

To be honest I can't see anyone else doing the role. He'll be in a wig (as was Hartnell) so his mannerisms & speech will be all he'll need to make the role.

I'm quite looking forward to this.

[Jon Masters]

It' ll be interesting to see if Brian Cox sticks with his broad Scots accent or tries to be Canadian

[Antony Cox]

Good casting!

He'll be in a wig (as was Hartnell) so his mannerisms & speech will be all he'll need to make the role.

Remmeber though, for the most part he'll presumably be playing Hartnell as himself, not as The Doctor, so whilst he'll be in a wig it will for the most part be a Hartnell wig rather than First Doctor wig.

And so he'll also need to be Hartnell rather than just The First Doctor, so it'll take a bit of research to get his character and mannerisms right.

Either way, I think he'll nail it!

[SiHart]

Waris meets his actor double: http://www.radiotimes.com/news/2013-...space-and-time

[Richard Brinck-Johnsen]

Wonderful! This is shaping up to the highlight of the year!

[Dave Tudor]

Excellent casting all round - why didn't we think of David Bradley before?

It' ll be interesting to see if Brian Cox sticks with his broad Scots accent or tries to be Canadian

Well funnily enough, he was on Simon Mayo's show last night and at one point he was talking about how good he is at accents, so I reckon he'll try the Canadian.

[MacNimon]

I wonder if this means that Bradley has also been cast as the first Doctor in any potential multi-Doctor story in DW itself?

[Andrew Curnow]

Re: Si's picture above - Too old, too evil, too Welsh...?

[Andrew Curnow]

Don't give it much thought, it doesn't actually make any sense but I'm easily amused! (I nearly typed "I like to amuse myself" but avoided falling into that trap.)

[SiHart]

Always a pleasure to hear that quote!

[MacNimon]

SFX have been busy...

[SiHart]

Not busy enough to get the First Doctor's hair colour correct though, it seems!

Sent from my LT15i using Tapatalk 2

[Si Hunt]

I hope he's good but alarm bells are chiming for me a bit. I just hope he hasn't been cast just because he happens to LOOK slightly like Hartnell. He needs to nail the charm. Also he's 20 years older than Hartnell was, which makes it a little odd.

I think they should get Carole Ann-Ford to play herself, and just not say anything. After all, Dolly Parton played the part of a young country girl in a film called "Blue Valley Songbird" when she was 57, some years senior to the actress playing her Mother. She just slapped on a big red wig and hoped for the best.

[SiHart]

Also he's 20 years older than Hartnell was, which makes it a little odd.

Well Hartnell always appeared to be 20 years older than he actually was. I remember being amazed when i found out he was only in his 50s when playing the part.

[Stuart Wallis]

Re: Si's picture above - Too old, too evil, too Welsh...?

Never mind the picture, I always have been...

[SiHart]

Oh and indeed, MY!

[Nyder]

What an utterly tantalising photo!

[Rob McCow]

Looks like they're gonna get plastered.

I wonder if they'll focus on William Hartnell's innate racism?

[Matthew T]

I'm more excited for this than for the rest of series 7