Written by Mark Gatiss, An Adventure in Space and Time will tell “the story of the genesis of Doctor Who – first aired on 23 November 1963 – and the many personalities involved”.

David Bradley previously played Solomon in last year’s ‘Dinosaurs on a Spaceship’.

Brian Cox (The Bourne Identity) will play the BBC’s Head of Drama Sydney Newman, credited with the creation of the show, and Call the Midwife star Jessica Raine will play producer Verity Lambert. Sacha Dhawan (Last Tango In Halifax) will play the director of the first ever episode, ‘An Unearthly Child’, Waris Hussein.

> Order An Adventure in Space and Time on DVD on Amazon.

Bradley commented: “I’m absolutely thrilled. I first heard about this role from Mark [Gatiss] 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.”

Gatiss added: “What a cast! I’m utterly delighted that everyone’s favourite Time Lord will be in such brilliant and stellar company. We have a terrific team who can’t wait to tell the fascinating and surprising story of how the Doctor began his journey through Space and Time.”

The one-off 90-minute drama begins filming at the beginning of February at Television Centre before moving to Wimbledon Studios. It is produced by Matt Strevens (Misfits) and directed by Terry McDonough (Breaking Bad), with Mark Gatiss, Steven Moffat and Caroline Skinner as executive producers.

Doctor Who‘s Series 7 Part 2 begins on BBC One on Saturday 30 March.

> Find out all the latest cast news and story details in our Series 7 news summary.

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> Buy Series 7 Part 1 on DVD on Amazon.

Watch the Series 7 Part 2 trailer…