The League of Gentlemen star will appear as actor Patrick Troughton, who played the second Doctor, in BBC Two’s one-off 90-minute drama.

An Adventure in Space and Time tells “the story of the genesis of Doctor Who – first aired on 23 November 1963 – and the many personalities involved”.

Shearsmith told Digital Spy: “I was honoured to be part of it. I think [Mark Gatiss] just always had this idea that I would [play Troughton]. It’s very small – I’m literally only in a very small little bit, but it was lovely to be part of it.”

He added: “Mark was in his absolute element, wandering around the TARDIS… the attention to detail was immaculate. He’s done a really good rendering of that time and that story. I think it’s a real treat.”

The cast also includes David Bradley (Harry Potter) as the first Doctor, William Hartnell, alongisde Brian Cox (The Bourne Identity) as the BBC’s Head of Drama Sydney Newman and Call the Midwife star Jessica Raine as producer Verity Lambert.

Shearsmith described David Bradley’s performance as William Hartnell as “absolutely brilliant”.

> Catch up on all the 50th Anniversary Special news and rumours so far in our summary.

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