The Birth of Doctor Who for A New Generation

Yesterday BBC America announced details of a Doctor Who made-for-tv movie that it is filming this year in celebration of the famous shows 50th anniversary. As was commissioned in August of 2012, An Adventure in Time and Space will detail the earliest years of the Doctor Who empire from its creation through its initial filming with William Hartnell. The movie is a co-production by BBC America and BBC Cymru Wales. The script was written by Mark Gatiss, co-creator of hit BBC show Sherlock.

The iconic first Doctor will be played by Harry Potter actor David Bradley. I’m sure I’m not the first to be surprised by the casting choice, only time will tell if the crotchety Argus Filtch can play the charismatic Doctor that we all know. When asked about his upcoming role Bradley said, “I’m absolutely thrilled.  I first heard about this role from Mark 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.”

Also announced as part of the cast is Brian Cox (The Bourne Identity, The Bourne Supremacy) to star as the BBC drama head Sydney Newman, who is credited with the creation of the show. Jessica Raine (Call The Midwife), who will play producer Verity Lambert; and Sacha Dhawan (After Earth) as Waris Hussein, director of the first ever episode ‘An Unearthly Child.’

Shooting is scheduled to start early next month for air later this year. If I were to make an educated guess, it will air sometime around the 50th anniversary of the first Doctor Who episode, November 23, 1963.