DOCTOR WHO Travels Back in AN ADVENTURE IN SPACE AND TIME, Airing Tonight on BBC America

What do you get when you mix C.S. Lewis with H.G. Wells, and sprinkle in a bit of Father Christmas? An alien Time Lord exploring space and time in a Police Box spaceship called the "TARDIS" (Time And Relative Dimension in Space). On November 23, 1963, a television legend began when the very first episode of Doctor Who was broadcast on BBC One. Fifty years later, the genesis story is retold in a new BBC America co-production film celebrating the 50th anniversary of the franchise, An Adventure in Space and Time, premiering tonight, November 22, 9:00pm ET/PT on BBC AMERICA.

Travel back to witness the genius that was the first Doctor, William Hartnell (David Bradley, Game of Thrones,Broadchurch) and the unlikely production team behind the series, Verity Lambert (Jessica Raine, Call the Midwife), Waris Hussein (Sacha Dhawan, After Earth) and Sydney Newman (Brian Cox, The Bourne Identity,X2: X-Men United). From writer and executive producer Mark Gatiss (Sherlock, Doctor Who), executive producers Steven Moffat (Doctor Who, Sherlock) and Caroline Skinner (Doctor Who, The Fades) and directorTerry McDonough (Breaking Bad, The Street), the stylish drama reveals the struggles and ultimate triumph of the British series created to "keep the sports fans and kids hooked."

"An Adventure in Space and Time is principally a human interest story you can enjoy even if you know nothing about Doctor Who," says writer and executive producer, Mark Gatiss. "You'll see the story of some amazing people who come together under extraordinary circumstances to create this wonderful thing that is still with us today."

An unlikely trio of Misfits set out to create a genre series that all ages would love. A 55-year-old actor conceivably at the end of a frustrating career, a former production assistant fighting to make her mark in television, and a foreign born, novice director were tasked with bringing a vision for an exciting new science fiction story to life. William 'Bill' Hartnell, displeased with his career, was presented with a chance to break out of the hard-man roles he'd become known for. And with the instincts of first time producer, Verity Lambert and first time director, Waris Hussein, The Doctor was born. As the success of the show grew, William went from unhappy curmudgeon to beloved television star who relished his career resurgence and found a new lease on life. But all good things come to an end. How will Bill face leaving behind the part that has made him a hero to millions of children? And can the show survive without him? Journey back fifty years through space and time to witness the exciting beginning and untimely end of the First Doctor in this touching drama.

Pictured: An Adventure in Space and Time, the First Doctor, William Hartnell (David Bradley). Photo Credit: Hal Shinnie © BBC 2013.

SOURCE: BBC America

To post a comment, you must register and login.