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Planning
A series of meetings are held to develop the document "Doctor Who: General Notes on Background and Approach". Verity Lambert is appointed as "Doctor Who"’s series producer. -
The First Doctor
Actor William Hartnell reluctantly agrees to become the 1st Doctor. -
The First Episode
The official version of the first episode, “An Unearthly Child”, is recorded at Lime Grove studios after Head of Drama, Sydney Newman, disapproves the first version on September 27, 1963. -
The First Broadcast
At 5:16 p.m., the first episode is broadcast attracting 4.4 million people. -
The First Daleks
The Daleks, a fan favorite, make their debut as Assistant Floor Manager Michael Ferguson waves a plunger. -
The Final Episode of the Daleks
The final episode of the Daleks attracts 10.4 million viewers, more than double of “An Unearthly Child” ten weeks before. -
Radio Times
"Doctor Who" appears on the cover of "Radio Times" magazine. The series will make the cover more than any other series over the next fifty years. -
The First Historical Figure
Marco Polo is the first historical figure to be depicted. -
Season One Ends.
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Doctor Who Returns
"Doctor Who" returns with “Planet of Giants” after a seven-week long break. -
The First Goodbye
The Doctor’s granddaughter Susan, Carol Ann Ford, marks the first departure of a companion. -
Materializing
The Doctor uses the term materialize to describe the TARDIS landing for the first time. -
The Cybermen
The Cybermen, another fan favorite, make their appearance becoming "Doctor Who"’s “second enduring monster” (Scott and Wright 5). -
The First Regeneration
The Doctor regenerates for the first time as Patrick Troughton makes his debut as the 2nd Doctor. -
The Sonic Screwdriver
The first appearance of the sonic screwdriver. -
Time Lord
The first use of Time Lords to describe the Doctor’s people. -
A Ride Home
The first trip to the Doctor’s unnamed home planet. -
A Regeneration in Color
The 3rd Doctor, Jon Pertwee, makes his debut as Doctor Who is broadcast in color for the first time. -
The Master
Roger Delgado arrives as the Doctor’s enemy, “The Master”. -
The Tenth Anniversary
The tenth anniversary is marked by the episode, “The Three Doctors”, as the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Doctors battle the Time Lord Omega. -
A Companion and an Enemy
Sara Jane Smith, a new companion, and the Sontarans, another fan favorite, make their debut. -
Gallifrey
The Doctor’s home planet is named Gallifrey. -
Regeneration
The term regeneration is used for the first time as the 3rd Doctor leaves Doctor Who. -
The Fourth Doctor
The 4th Doctor, Tom Baker, makes his debut. -
A Doctor's Best Friend
Robot Dog “K-9” whirrs into view. -
A Viewer Record
The highest viewer record in all fifty years of "Doctor Who"'s running is made at 16.1 million viewers. -
The Fourth Regeneration
The 4th Doctor regenerates into the 5th Doctor, Peter Davison. -
The Twentieth Anniversary
“The Five Doctors” is broadcast marking the twentieth anniversary. -
The Fifth Regeneration
The 5th Doctor regenerates into the 6th Doctor, Colin Baker. -
The Sixth Regeneration
The 6th Doctor regenerates into the 7th Doctor, Sylvester McCoy. -
The Thirtieth Anniversary
“Dimensions in Time” is broadcast in experimental 3-D for the thirtieth anniversary. -
The Seventh Regeneration
The 7th Doctor regenerates into the 8th Doctor, Paul McGann. -
The Fortieth Anniversary
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Welcome to the Twenty-First Century
The first new episode of "Doctor Who" for nine years. Christopher Eccleston makes his debut as the 9th Doctor alongside his new companion, Rose (pop singer Billie Piper), making the first episode in the twenty-first century and attracting 10.8 million viewers. -
Torchwood
First on-screen reference to Torchwood. -
The Ninth Regeneration
The 9th Doctor regenerates into the 10th Doctor, David Tennant. -
The Weeping Angels
The first appearance of the Weeping Angels. -
The Doctor's Wife
Alex Kingston makes her first appearance as River Song. -
The Tenth Regeneration
The 10th Doctor regenerates into the 11th Doctor, Matt Smith. -
Melody Pond
River Song is revealed to be Melody Pond, daughter of companions Amy and Rory. -
50 Years Running
The Fiftieth Anniversary of "Doctor Who" is broadcasted, “The Day of the Doctor”.
