Dr Who opens the archives

Here’s one for die-hard fans of Doctor Who.

The BBC has revealed several previously unreleased documents and images dating back to 1962 that detail the origins of Doctor Who.

This photo taken in 1963 shows William Hartnell and his time-travelling TARDIS, – a ‘tangible symbol’ that Head of Drama Sydney Newman had insisted upon in early discussions.

Available online on the BBC Archive website, the material includes handwritten notes from 1963 by Newman, in which he states his desire for the proposed show to be an “educational experience – drama based upon and stemming from factual material and scientific phenomena and actual social history of past and future”.

Archivist Jim Sangster told BBC News that the documents demonstrate how much of a gamble Doctor Who was perceived to be by the corporation, as “they didn’t have confidence in sci-fi. It was seen as niche and American.”

“After Star Wars, we have a different view of course, and we see it as hugely entertaining and successful. But they were nervous – it wasn’t a Western or a period drama. It was something really obscure and they had to do research into it.”

Little did they know it would run over 45 years and become one of the broadcaster’s most cherished brands.

This year’s series on the ABC, shifted from Saturday to Sunday nights, was a gamble that paid off handsomely for the broadcaster.

But many fans are still reeling from the news that David Tennant is to hang up his coat after next year, following the exit of producer Russell T. Davies.

Source: Digital Spy