John Nathan-Turner was born and raised in the Midlands, where he developed a passion for the performing arts at a young age. As a boy, he acted in numerous school plays and revues, and even appeared as an extra in several TV series, including "The Newcomers" and "United!" for the BBC, and "Crossroads" for ATV. By the time he reached the sixth form, his interests had expanded to include producing, directing, and writing.
After leaving school, Nathan-Turner turned down a university place to pursue a career in the theatre. He began by working as a stage manager in a nightclub, and later became an assistant stage manager at Birmingham's Alexandra Theatre. During a period of unemployment as an actor, he took on a job in the Costume Department at the BBC's Gosta Green studios, where he gained an interest in television production.
He eventually landed a job as a senior stage manager and actor at the Everyman Theatre in Chelmsford, but his acquaintance suggested he apply to the BBC in London for a general exploratory interview. He did so, and shortly afterwards was taken on as a floor assistant.
It was in this capacity that Nathan-Turner first worked on "Doctor Who," being assigned to "The Space Pirates," "The Ambassadors of Death," and "Colony in Space." He remained at the BBC throughout the 1970s, gaining successive promotions to assistant floor manager, production assistant, and production unit manager.
As production unit manager, he was again assigned to "Doctor Who," handling the series' budget during seasons 15, 16, and 17. He took over as producer from season 18 in 1979 and remained in that post until the BBC discontinued making the series a decade later.
Unfortunately, Nathan-Turner's status as producer during the series' decline in popularity and eventual cancellation meant that his television production career effectively ended in 1989. From 1990 until his death in 2002, he maintained contact with the "Doctor Who" world, producing some special releases for BBC Video between 1991 and 1992, as well as the ludicrous 30th anniversary spoof "Doctor Who: Dimensions in Time" for the BBC's Children in Need telethon, while also pursuing a variety of other projects.
