Doctor Who Biopic Announced By The BBC

After months of rumors and speculation, the BBC has finally announced a Doctor Who biopic just in time for the show’s 50th Anniversary next year. It will be written by Mark Gatiss and produced by Steven Moffat as they have worked together previously on Doctor Who itself, as well as the hit series Sherlock.

Titled An Adventure In Space And Time, the 90 minute special will take place in the early sixties and look at how the show came to be created. While nothing else has been announced, I’m incredibly excited about the project as Mark Gatiss is a great writer and will no doubt do the show justice. And that’s besides the fact that period dramas such as these are what the BBC does best.

Here’s the official press release by the BBC:

AN ADVENTURE IN SPACE AND TIME TO MARK THE DOCTOR’S 50^th BIRTHDAY

The BBC today announces that a special BBC TWO drama has been commissioned to mark the 50^thanniversary of Doctor Who next year.

An Adventure in Space and Time will tell the story of the genesis of Doctor Who since its first broadcast on 23 November 1963.  Exploring all aspects of the longest running science fiction series to date, the special one off 90 minute drama will also look at the many personalities involved in bringing the series to life.

Written by Mark Gatiss, it is Executive Produced by current Doctor Who showrunner Steven Moffat and Caroline Skinner.  The single drama was commissioned by Ben Stephenson Controller, Drama and Janice Hadlow, Controller of BBC TWO.

Mark Gatiss, Writer, said:

“This is the story of how an unlikely set of brilliant people created a true Television original. And how an actor – William Hartnell – stereotyped in hard-man roles became a hero to millions of children. I’ve wanted to tell this story this for more years than I can remember! To make it happen for ‘Doctor Who’s 50th birthday is quite simply a dream come true”.

Steven Moffat, Executive Producer, said:

“The story of Doctor Who is the story of television – so it’s fitting in the anniversary year that we make our most important journey back in time to see how the TARDIS was launched.”

The production and transmission schedule will be confirmed next year, along with casting.

Are you excited about the project? Let us know in the comments.