William Hartnell

Acting

William Hartnell

Born January 8, 1908 · Saint Pancras, London, England, UK

Died April 23, 1975 · aged 67

William Henry Hartnell (8 January 1908 – 23 April 1975), also known as Billy Hartnell or Bill Hartnell, was an English actor. Hartnell played the first incarnation of the Doctor in Doctor Who, from 1963 to 1966. He was also known for his roles as Sergeant Grimshaw, the title character of the first Carry On film, Carry On Sergeant in 1958, and Company Sergeant Major Percy Bullimore in the sitcom Th…

Known For

Doctor Who: The Day of the DoctorDoctor Who: The Day of the Doctor · 2013
Doctor Who: The Day of the Doctor
★ 8.22013
MovieScience FictionAdventure
In 2013, something terrible is awakening in London's National Gallery; in 1562, a murderous plot is afoot in Elizabethan England; and somewhere in space an ancient battle reaches its devastating conclusion. All of reality is at stake as the Doctor's own dangerous past comes back to haunt him.
An Adventure in Space and TimeAn Adventure in Space and Time · 2013
An Adventure in Space and Time
★ 7.72013
MovieDrama
Actor William Hartnell felt trapped by a succession of hard-man roles while wannabe producer Verity Lambert was frustrated by the TV industry's glass ceiling. Both of them were to find unlikely hope and unexpected challenges in the form of a Saturday tea-time drama. Allied with a team of unusual but brilliant people, they went on to create the longest running science fiction series ever made.
Doctor Who: The Next DoctorDoctor Who: The Next Doctor · 2008
Doctor Who: The Next Doctor
★ 7.42008
MovieScience FictionTV Movie
The Doctor arrives in Victorian London. It's Christmas, but snow isn't the only thing descending on the tranquil and jubilant civilization, as familiar silver giants from an alternate reality are amassing in numbers. The Cybermen are on the move again, and the only beings who can stop them are the Doctor and... another Doctor?
The Mouse That RoaredThe Mouse That Roared · 1959
The Mouse That Roared
★ 6.41959
MovieComedy
The Duchy of Grand Fenwick decides that the only way to get out of their economic woes is to declare war on the United States, lose and accept foreign aid. They send an invasion force (in chain mail, armed with bows and arrows) to New York and they arrive during a nuclear drill that has cleared the streets.
Odd Man OutOdd Man Out · 1947
Odd Man Out
★ 7.31947
MovieCrimeDrama
Belfast police conduct a door-to-door manhunt for an IRA gunman wounded in a daring robbery.
Hell DriversHell Drivers · 1957
Hell Drivers
★ 6.71957
MovieThrillerDrama
An ex-con trying to go clean ends up working for a crooked trucking company owner who encourages competion amongst his drivers.
Doctor Who: Twice Upon a TimeDoctor Who: Twice Upon a Time · 2017
Doctor Who: Twice Upon a Time
★ 8.02017
MovieScience FictionAdventure
As the Twelfth Doctor nears regeneration, he stumbles on his first incarnation, also refusing to change. It takes a captain, a glass avatar and a familiar face to convince the Doctors the universe still needs them.
Footsteps in the FogFootsteps in the Fog · 1955
Footsteps in the Fog
★ 7.01955
MovieThrillerDrama
A Victorian-era murder mystery about a parlour maid who discovers that her employer may have killed his first wife.

Filmography

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Ghost SquadGhost Squad · 1961
Ghost Squad
★ 6.01961
SeriesCrimeDrama
Ghost Squad, known as G.S.5 for its third series, was a crime drama series about an elite division of Scotland Yard that ran between 1961 and 1964. Each episode the Ghost Squad would investigate cases that fell outside the scope of normal police work. Despite the show and characters being fictional, an actual division did exist within the Metropolitan Police Service at the time. Inspiration for the series was taken from a book of the same name, written by John Gosling — a retired police officer and former member of the team. Although the real-life squad only operated in London, the fictionalised team travelled internationally; however — as was typical of the time — most foreign locations were actually a combination of stock footage and sets at Independent Artists Studio at Beaconsfield and Elstree Studios. Music was by Philip Green. The show was produced by ITC Entertainment, along with Rank Organisation TV and ATV. It was the first ITC show filmed to fit the one hour time-slot — setting the trend for the majority of ITC's future output. Another common ITC trait was to feature an American, in this case Michael Quinn, in a leading role so as to increase the chances of international sales. At 6' 3", Quinn often towered over his co-workers. This was especially noticeable in the first series title sequence showing him walking through a crowd walking in the opposite direction. He frequently smoked in the show as did many others. The second series had a different title sequence and Neil Hallett sometimes replaced Quinn. Hallett looked more like a spy while Quinn looked a bit like a playboy. Quinn was replaced by Australian actor, Ray Barrett in the third series. Ray Austin played Billy Clay in and was also Stunt Director on all series bringing the action to life. Austin went on to become a renowned TV director in Hollywood and the UK.