Sydney Newman, head of BBC TV's drama department, aimed to create a Saturday tea-time show appealing to youth. He teamed up with inexperienced producer Verity Lambert to develop an idea featuring an esteemed figure leading companions on time travel adventures. Despite facing sexism and racial prejudice, Lambert and director Waris Hussein convinced William Hartnell to play the doctor.

An Adventure in Space and Time
The origins of "Doctor Who" are rooted in the collaboration between BBC executive Sydney Newman, producer Verity Lambert, and actor William Hartnell.