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THE GENESIS OF DOCTOR WHO | The creation of a television hero

About this collection

Explore the origins of a TV legend with this collection of documents and images. It's now the number one family favourite, but 'Doctor Who' had a difficult birth, emerging from the imagination of some of BBC Drama's top minds.

Here, we tell the story of the creation of 'Doctor Who' from the very beginning, starting with a report on the possibility of making science fiction for television and leading up to the moment a new drama series is announced in the pages of 'Radio Times'.

Join us as we hide behind the sofa for the first time...

Genesis of Doctor Who Collection

 

Document - A report on the BBC's plans for potential new science fiction drama serials.

Science Fiction - BBC Report

WRITTEN 1962
1 DOCUMENT

A report into whether the BBC should make science fiction drama.

go to Science Fiction - First Report.
Document - A BBC report looking at sources for possible BBC science fiction stories.

Science Fiction - Follow-up Report

WRITTEN 1962
1 DOCUMENT

A report into the kind of stories BBC science fiction dramas might handle.

go to Science Fiction - Follow-up Report.
Document - A report from the BBC Written Archives exploring the possibility of making a science fiction BBC drama.

Concept Notes for New SF Drama

WRITTEN 1963
1 DOCUMENT

A summary of ideas for a new science fiction BBC TV series.

go to Science Fiction TV Series Concept Notes.
Document - A report from the BBC Written Archives detailing formative plans for the TV series 'Doctor Who'.

Background Notes for 'Dr. Who'

WRITTEN 1963
1 DOCUMENT

CE Webber and Sydney Newman outline the format for the new 'Doctor Who' series.

go to Doctor Who - General Notes on Background and Approach.
Document - A clipping from a listings page in an old 'Radio Times'.

'Radio Times' article, 23 November, 1963

WRITTEN 1963
2 DOCUMENTS

A preview of the first 'Doctor Who' episode, 'An Unearthly Child'.

go to 'Radio Times' article, 23 November, 1963
Document - A document from the BBC Written Archives detailing audience reaction to the TV series 'Doctor Who'.

Audience Research Report for 'Doctor Who'

WRITTEN 1963
1 DOCUMENT

What the viewers thought of 'An Unearthly Child'.

go to Audience Research Report for 'Doctor Who'.
 

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