The very first Doctor Who was played on television by William Hartnell between 1963 and 1966, covering 3 complete series and the first two episodes in series 4.
One of the most sought after episodes of Doctor Who is "The Tenth Planet" where the first Doctor is seen to regenerate for the very first time and become the second Doctor.
Unfortunately between 1964 and 1974 a large amount of material in the BBC libraries were destroyed or wiped and as such no surviving copy is known.
The Doctor at this time progressed in character from a selfish anti-hero into a more noble, helpful and gracious figure during these early series.
As the first Doctor, William Hartnell is generally considered to set the underlying character of the Doctor and elements of his portrayal are evident in the performances of all his successors.
There have also been two movies featuring the first Doctor and the Daleks and the role of the Doctor in these films was played by Peter Cushing.
reviews in the series
The Sorcerer's Apprentice
by Christopher Bulis
The Land of Elbyon is a place populated by creatures of fantasy, where myth and legend rule. Elves and dwarves live in harmony with mankind, wizards wield arcane powers and armoured knights battle monstrous dragons.
But the Doctor doesn't believe in magic, and it seems that Elbyon ha...
Salvation
by Steve Lyons
The Doctor arrives in New York, 1965. It is a time of conflict between ideologies, races, generations and genders, when crime runs rife and an unpopular war drags on in a distant land. In the midst of this turmoil, people cry out to their gods.
And now, it appears, the gods have answ...
The Plotters
by Gareth Roberts
The TARDIS materializes in London, november 1605 and a crucial moment in British history. While Ian and Barbara set off for the Globe Theatre, Vicki accompanies the Doctor on a mysterious mission to the court of King James.
What connects the King's advisor Robert Cecil with the sinis...
The Man in the Velvet Mask
by Daniel O'Mahony
The TARDIS has landed in post revolution France, or so it appears. But the futuristic structure of the New Bastille towers over a twisted version of Paris. And First Deputy Minski, adopted son of the infamous Marquis de Sade, presides over a reign of terror that has yet to end.
Revol...
The Empire of Glass
by Andy Lane
"There is a old Venetian saying," the Doctor murmured. "The council of ten send you to the torture chamber; the council of three send you to the grave."
A strange invitation brings the Doctor, Steven and Vicki to Venice in the year of our Lord 1609: a place of politics and poison, sc...
City at World's End
by Christopher Bulis
City at World's End is a novel in the First Doctor series as they visit Arkhaven, the last bastion of civilisation on a doomed world.
The Cities inhabitants are hoping that a final desperate gamble will save their lives. Not everyone is working toward the common goal though, there ar...
Byzantium
by Keith Topping
Byzantium is a doctor who novel featuring the first doctor as he visits the ancient might of the Roman Empire.
In the city of Byzantium romans greeks, zealots and Pharisees all meet in the markets squares, but mutual loathing and suspicion are rife.
The Doctor and his com...
Bunker Soldiers
by Martin Day
Bunkers Soldiers is a Doctor Who novel featuring the first Doctor as a terrifying army sweeps across ancient earth.
Trapped in a frightened city, the Doctor and his companions are powerless to intervene. From their point of view it is historical fact.
Some choose not to acce...
The Witch Hunters
by Steve Lyons
The Witch Hunters is a Doctor Who novel featuring the first Doctor as he arrives in Salem, Massachusetts 1692, right in the middle of the Witch Hunts.
The Doctor must make repairs to the Tardis so his companions Ian Barbara and Susan decide to have a History Holiday for a week or so....
Venusian Lullaby
by Paul Leonard
Venus is dying, when the Doctor and his companions Barbara and Ian arrive, they find an ancient and totally Alien society on the brink of destruction. A conflict is escalating between those who accept death and those who strive for salvation and survival.
Then a hope emerges, a race ...
The Time Travellers
by Simon Guerrier
The TARDIS has returned to London, but this isn't the city Ian and Barbara remember. Torn by war, the city of London is in ruins and it appears they have arrived amid a war.
A war that the British are losing.
With his friends mistaken for vagrants and sentenced to de...
The Eleventh Tiger
by David McIntee
In interesting times, love can be a weakness, hatred an illusion, order chaos, and ten tigers not enough. The TARDIS crew have seen many times. When they arrive in China in 1865, they find banditry, rebellion, and foreign oppression rife. Trying to maintain order are the British Empire and the Te...
Ten Little Aliens
by Stephen Cole
On the edge of Earths empire, far out in space, an elite group of soldiers is on a training mission. But deep in the heart of the hollowed-out planetoid that forms their battleground, a chilling secret waits to be discovered: ten alien corpses, frozen in time at the moment of violent, bloody dea...
