Archive Homepage

The Genesis of Doctor Who | Creating a science fiction 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...

The Genesis of Doctor Who Collection

A document about possible science fiction dramas.

Science Fiction - BBC Report

WRITTEN c. 1962
4 PAGES

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

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

Science Fiction - Follow-up Report

WRITTEN 1962
3 PAGES

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

go to Science Fiction - Follow-up Report
Format notes for 'Doctor Who'.

Background Notes for 'Dr. Who'

WRITTEN c. 1963
4 PAGES

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

go to Background Notes for 'Dr. Who'
Concept Notes for a new science fiction drama.

Concept Notes for New SF Drama

WRITTEN 1963
2 PAGES

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

go to Concept Notes for New SF Drama
'Radio Times' article for 23 November, 1963

'Radio Times' article for 23 November, 1963

WRITTEN 1963
1 PAGE

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

go to 'Radio Times' article for 23 November, 1963
'Radio Times' TV listing, 23 November, 1963

'Radio Times' TV listing, 23 November, 1963

WRITTEN 1963
1 PAGE

How 'Radio Times' recorded the first episode of 'Doctor Who' in the TV listings.

go to 'Radio Times' TV listing, 23 November, 1963
An audience research report on 'An Unearthly Child'.

Audience Research on 'An Unearthly Child'.

WRITTEN 1963
2 PAGES

What the viewers thought of the first episode of 'Doctor Who'.

go to Audience Research on 'An Unearthly Child'.

bbc.co.uk navigation

BBC © 2013 The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read more.

This page is best viewed in an up-to-date web browser with style sheets (CSS) enabled. While you will be able to view the content of this page in your current browser, you will not be able to get the full visual experience. Please consider upgrading your browser software or enabling style sheets (CSS) if you are able to do so.