An upcoming TV movie chronicling the behind-the-scenes beginnings of the BBC's seminal sci-fi drama, Doctor Who has found its star in a former ornery detention-dealing groundskeeper of Hogwarts, David Bradley.
Set to be titled, An Adventure in Space and Time, the biographical movie will see the veteran actor, now best known for playing Argus Filch in the Harry Potter films, leave the Wizarding World behind to step into the role of William Hartnell, the actor who portrayed The First Doctor on the series from 1963-1966. Joining him will be Brian Cox (The Bourne Identity, Braveheart) as BBC head of drama, Sydney Newman and Jessica Raine (The Woman in Black, Robin Hood) as Doctor Who producer, Verity Lambert.
This shout-out to the time-traveling phenomenon that captured the imaginations of Whovians everywhere will not only chronicle the show's genesis, but sets it into the larger context of the cultural shifts happening in Britain in the early 1960's. However, it will not go unchristened by the current guard since it will also be watched over by current Doctor Who exec producers, Steven Moffat and Caroline Skinner. According to Skinner:
“It’s a lovely story about very fascinating characters. There are lots of witty and entertaining stories about the genesis of Doctor Who which say quite a lot about what the early ‘60s in Britain was like. But it’s also a very personal story about William Hartnell and Verity Lambert and their relationship being forged in the making of what turned out to be a sensational hit show that we’re still watching today.”
Since its revival in 2005, the show is more popular than ever today. On this 50th anniversary of the series debut, the BBC is now more reflective of its long history than ever before, which makes this upcoming movie the perfect companion. (No pun intended.)
An Adventure in Space and Time will make its US debut at a still-unspecified time later this year.
[Source]
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