BBC America to co-produce Doctor Who docudrama, which gets its First Doctor
by Doc on Jan.30, 2013, under Television
The Mark Gatiss-led docudrama An Adventure in Space and Time, about the creation of Doctor Who in the 1960s, will be co-produced by BBC America and air in the U.S. as well as BBC Two in the U.K.
In addition actor David Bradley, best known for playing the cantankerous caretaker of Hogwarts, Argus Filch, in the Harry Potter franchise and also guest starred as Solomon in the Doctor Who episode “Dinosaurs on a Spaceship”, has been announced to fill the role of the very first Doctor, William Hartnell. This has interestingly led to speculation that he might also play the role in the upcoming 50th anniversary episode. Hartnell passed away in 1975.
Gatiss mentioned the role to Bradley while watching the Diamond Jubilee flotilla.
“When he asked if I would 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.”
Jessica Raine (Call the Midwife) will play producer Verity Lambert and Brian Cox (The Straits, X2) will play Sydney Newman, the head of BBC Drama. Sacha Dhawan (After Earth) will play Waris Hussein, who directed the very first episode.