Doctor Who DVDs Starring William Hartnell as The Doctor�
So began the first episode of Doctor Who in November 1963. The first actor to play the part was William Hartnell, who initially interpreted the role as being something of an irritable and grouchy anti-hero, though this would give way to a much kinder and more gentle, eccentric grandfather over his three years. These early stories of Doctor Who are very different from those which were to follow, due to the show's original briefing which was that it must educate as well as entertain.
