(01/04/1917 – 30/10/1997)
Ninety-three years ago today, Sydney Newman was born in Toronto in Canada. In 1963, when the BBC Controller of Programmes, Donald Baverstock, told Newman of the need for a programme to fill in a Saturday evening television slot, he decided that a science-fiction drama would be the perfect choice for filling the gap whilst gaining a family audience.
Although many people contributed towards the creation of the series, it was Newman who created the idea of a time machine which was larger on the inside, and the mysterious character of the ‘Doctor’ who would be the main role. It is also believed that he came up with the title ‘Doctor Who’, although many people have claimed to have thought up the title.
After the series had been conceptualised, Newman initially approached Don Taylor to produce it. After he declined, he then decided on his former production assistant, Verity Lambert, although she had never produced, written or directed before. She became the youngest and only female drama producer at the BBC, but was an instant success in the role.
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