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.
Inside the Spaceship: The Story of the TARDISInside the Spaceship: The Story of the TARDIS · 2006
Inside the Spaceship: The Story of the TARDIS
8.02006
MovieDocumentary
A feature on Doctor Who: The Beginning box set which tells the stories of the Doctor's time machine - the TARDIS.
Doctor Who: The ChaseDoctor Who: The Chase · 1965
Doctor Who: The Chase
6.51965
MovieScience FictionDrama
The Doctor and his companions are pursued through time and space by the Daleks on the desert planet Aridius and beyond.
Hell DriversHell Drivers · 1957
Hell Drivers
6.71957
MovieThrillerDrama
An ex-con trying to go clean ends up working for a crooked trucking company swindling money.
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.
Talking Doctor WhoTalking Doctor Who · 2023
Talking Doctor Who
5.02023
MovieDocumentaryTV Movie
As part of the sixtieth anniversary celebrations of Doctor Who, David Tennant time-travels back through the BBC archives to tell the story of the Doctor’s classic era.
Doctor Who: Resurrection of the DaleksDoctor Who: Resurrection of the Daleks · 1984
Doctor Who: Resurrection of the Daleks
7.91984
MovieScience FictionDrama
Captured in a time corridor, the Doctor and his companions are forced to land on 20th century Earth, diverted by the Doctor's oldest enemy - the Daleks. It is here the true purpose of the time corridor becomes apparent: after ninety years of imprisonment, Davros, the ruthless creator of the Daleks, is to be liberated to assist in the resurrection of his army. Not even the Daleks foresee the poisonous threat of their creator. Indeed, who would suspect Davros of wanting to destroy his own Daleks - and why? Only the Doctor knows the truth. Will he descend to Davros' level of evil to stop him?
The Guv'norThe Guv'nor · 1935
The Guv'nor
7.81935
MovieComedy
The Guv'nor (released in the U.S. as Mr. Hobo) is a 1935 British comedy film starring George Arliss as a tramp who rides a series of misunderstandings and becomes the president of a bank.

Movies

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.
Inside the Spaceship: The Story of the TARDISInside the Spaceship: The Story of the TARDIS · 2006
Inside the Spaceship: The Story of the TARDIS
8.02006
MovieDocumentary
A feature on Doctor Who: The Beginning box set which tells the stories of the Doctor's time machine - the TARDIS.
Doctor Who: The ChaseDoctor Who: The Chase · 1965
Doctor Who: The Chase
6.51965
MovieScience FictionDrama
The Doctor and his companions are pursued through time and space by the Daleks on the desert planet Aridius and beyond.
Hell DriversHell Drivers · 1957
Hell Drivers
6.71957
MovieThrillerDrama
An ex-con trying to go clean ends up working for a crooked trucking company swindling money.
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.
Talking Doctor WhoTalking Doctor Who · 2023
Talking Doctor Who
5.02023
MovieDocumentaryTV Movie
As part of the sixtieth anniversary celebrations of Doctor Who, David Tennant time-travels back through the BBC archives to tell the story of the Doctor’s classic era.
Doctor Who: Resurrection of the DaleksDoctor Who: Resurrection of the Daleks · 1984
Doctor Who: Resurrection of the Daleks
7.91984
MovieScience FictionDrama
Captured in a time corridor, the Doctor and his companions are forced to land on 20th century Earth, diverted by the Doctor's oldest enemy - the Daleks. It is here the true purpose of the time corridor becomes apparent: after ninety years of imprisonment, Davros, the ruthless creator of the Daleks, is to be liberated to assist in the resurrection of his army. Not even the Daleks foresee the poisonous threat of their creator. Indeed, who would suspect Davros of wanting to destroy his own Daleks - and why? Only the Doctor knows the truth. Will he descend to Davros' level of evil to stop him?
The Guv'norThe Guv'nor · 1935
The Guv'nor
7.81935
MovieComedy
The Guv'nor (released in the U.S. as Mr. Hobo) is a 1935 British comedy film starring George Arliss as a tramp who rides a series of misunderstandings and becomes the president of a bank.
The Lost PeopleThe Lost People · 1949
The Lost People
6.01949
MovieWarDrama
Set in a German theatre after the Second World War, two British soldiers are holding a disparate and hostile band of refugees in this theatre, prior to returning them to their homelands. The soldiers have difficulty dealing with the rivalries between Serb and Croat, resistance fighter and collaborator, Pole and Russian, etc. The threat of plague briefly unites them, but eventually even this wears off and the refugees unite in their hostility to the British.
They Flew AloneThey Flew Alone · 1942
They Flew Alone
6.81942
MovieDrama
The story of flyer Amy Johnson the girl from Yorkshire who won the hearts of the British public in the 1930s with her record-breaking solo flights around the world. Her marriage to fellow aviator Jim Mallison was less noteworthy.
This Sporting LifeThis Sporting Life · 1963
This Sporting Life
7.01963
MovieDrama
In early 1960s Northern England, Frank Machin is mean, tough and ambitious enough to become an immediate star in the rugby league team run by local employer Weaver.
The Crimson CircleThe Crimson Circle · 1936
The Crimson Circle
5.61936
MovieDrama
Based on the novel by Edgar Wallace, detectives at Scotland Yard try and track down The Crimson Circle, a secret society of blackmailers
The Mouse That RoaredThe Mouse That Roared · 1959
The Mouse That Roared
6.31959
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.
Brighton RockBrighton Rock · 1948
Brighton Rock
6.81948
MovieCrimeDrama
Centring on the activities of a gang of assorted criminals and, in particular, their leader – a vicious young hoodlum known as "Pinkie" – the film's main thematic concern is the criminal underbelly evident in inter-war Brighton.
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.
Masters of SoundMasters of Sound · 2006
Masters of Sound
8.02006
Movie
Documentary on the sound effects of Doctor Who in the 1960s.
Carry On SergeantCarry On Sergeant · 1958
Carry On Sergeant
6.41958
MovieComedyWar
Sergeant Grimshawe wants to retire in the flush of success by winning the Star Squad prize with his very last platoon of newly called-up National Servicemen. But a motley bunch they turn out to be, and it's up to Grimshawe to put the no-hopers through their paces.
The Pickwick PapersThe Pickwick Papers · 1952
The Pickwick Papers
7.01952
MovieComedyAdventure
The Pickwick Club sends Mr. Pickwick and a group of friends to travel across England and to report back on the interesting things they find...
Creation of the DaleksCreation of the Daleks · 2006
Creation of the Daleks
8.02006
MovieDocumentary
The cast and crew's memories of the creation of the Daleks and the making of The Daleks.
Doctor Who at the PromsDoctor Who at the Proms · 2024
Doctor Who at the Proms
7.22024
MovieMusic
Doctor Who fan favourite Catherine Tate presents a concert of music, monsters and mayhem featuring soundtracks from the iconic series, a specially shot feature for the Fifteenth Doctor and a host of scary aliens as they thrill a packed audience at London's Royal Albert Hall. In a concert like no other in time and space, the much-loved music, performed by the BBC National Orchestra of Wales, is accompanied by specially edited sequences from the series.
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?
Doctor Who: Galaxy 4Doctor Who: Galaxy 4 · 2021
Doctor Who: Galaxy 4
6.02021
MovieAnimationScience Fiction
The TARDIS lands on a planet on the verge of total annihilation as it drifts too close to the three suns which its orbits.
Doctor Who: The Husbands of River SongDoctor Who: The Husbands of River Song · 2015
Doctor Who: The Husbands of River Song
8.02015
MovieDramaScience Fiction
It’s Christmas Day on a remote human colony and the Doctor is hiding from Christmas Carols and Comedy Antlers. But when a crashed spaceship calls upon the Doctor for help, he finds himself recruited into River Song’s squad and hurled into a fast and frantic chase across the galaxy. King Hydroflax is furious, and his giant Robot bodyguard is out-of-control and coming for them all! Will Nardole survive? And when will River Song work out who the Doctor is? All will be revealed on a starliner full of galactic super-villains and a destination the Doctor has been avoiding for a very long time.

TV Shows

Doctor WhoDoctor Who · 1963
Doctor Who
7.91963
SeriesDrama
The adventures of The Doctor, a time-traveling humanoid alien known as a Time Lord. He explores the universe in his TARDIS, a sentient time-traveling spaceship. Its exterior appears as a blue British police box, which was a common sight in Britain in 1963 when the series first aired. Along with a succession of companions, The Doctor faces a variety of foes while working to save civilizations, help ordinary people, and right many wrongs.
No Hiding PlaceNo Hiding Place · 1959
No Hiding Place
4.81959
SeriesCrimeDrama
No Hiding Place is a British television series that was produced at Wembley Studios by Associated-Rediffusion for the ITV network between 16 September 1959 and 22 June 1967. It was the sequel to the series Murder Bag and Crime Sheet, all starring Raymond Francis as Detective Superintendent, later Detective Chief Superintendent Tom Lockhart.
Tales of the TardisTales of the Tardis · 2023
Tales of the Tardis
5.62023
SeriesSci-Fi & Fantasy
Classic Doctor Who duos are reunited as they board a very special TARDIS on a nostalgic voyage through space and time.
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.
The Army GameThe Army Game · 1957
The Army Game
7.01957
SeriesComedy
Follows the exploits of Hut 29, a dysfunctional group of soldiers and their National Service conscription into the British Army during the post war years.
Doctor Who: Galaxy 4Doctor Who: Galaxy 4 · 2021
Doctor Who: Galaxy 4
2021
SeriesSci-Fi & Fantasy
On an arid planet, the TARDIS trio encounter the Drahvins and the Rills; two species stranded on a planet doomed to explode. Both need the Doctor's help, but the Drahvin leader, Maaga, wants only her people to make it out alive.
Doctor Who: The Doctors RevisitedDoctor Who: The Doctors Revisited · 2013
Doctor Who: The Doctors Revisited
6.42013
SeriesDocumentary
As the Doctor's newest companion, Clara Oswald, steps into the TARDIS, take a look back at previous companions that have won over The Doctor's hearts in Doctor Who: The Companions. Along the way, companions past and present talk about how the show has changed their lives, and how they've never quite managed to leave the TARDIS behind.
Doctor Who: Lost in TimeDoctor Who: Lost in Time · 1965
Doctor Who: Lost in Time
1965
SeriesSci-Fi & FantasyDrama
A digitally restored collection of rare 1960s Doctor Who episodes, from stories which no longer exist in their entirety. They offer a unique glimpse at classic adventures which are now lost in time ...