This year sees a major milestone in the history of Doctor Who, the long-running science fiction series that celebrates its 50th anniversary later this year. The series first appeared on BBC Television on 23rd November 1963. Although created with a science fiction premise, the programme was originally intended to be primarily educational, part of the BBC's early Saturday evening schedule and for family viewing. The idea was to teach younger viewers about history (stories set in the past) and science (stories set in the future or in space). Hence why the original companions in the series were a science teacher and a history teacher...
The series tells the story of mysterious person, known only as 'The Doctor', and originally portrayed by William Hartnell (1908–1975). The actor was uncertain whether to take the role; he did so because he was getting typecast in military roles, and he liked the idea of playing a 'grandfather' figure. In fact, the character of The Doctor would be developed throughout the run of the show, but from the start of the series it is clear he is an alien time-traveller with a mysterious past.
Problems with the actor's health, as well as some problems between him and the production team, led Hartnell to leave the show in 1966 - however this led to a novel idea. Since the Doctor is from an alien race, perhaps he can transform himself into someone else when he dies, thereby renewing himself. Thus, William Hartnell regenerated into Patrick Troughton's Second Doctor...
More later...
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