The first episode aired the day after John F. Kennedy was assassinated, leading to concerns about low viewing figures.

Season 1 • Story 1

An Unearthly Child

📅 23rd November 1963 to 14th December 1963📺 4 episodes

Synopsis

Two schoolteachers become suspicious of their strange student, Susan Foreman, and follow her home—only to discover she lives in a police box with her mysterious grandfather, the Doctor.

When they are unwillingly taken aboard the TARDIS, the group travels back to prehistoric Earth, where they are captured by a tribe of cavemen and must struggle to survive.

Episodes

Episode 1: An Unearthly Child

Aired: Saturday 23rd November 1963

Episode 2: The Cave of Skulls

Aired: Saturday 30th November 1963

Episode 3: The Forest of Fear

Aired: Saturday 7th December 1963

Episode 4: The Firemaker

Aired: Saturday 14th December 1963

Notes

Main Cast

The Doctor: William Hartnell (First appearance)

Susan Foreman: Carole Ann Ford

Ian Chesterton: William Russell

Barbara Wright: Jacqueline Hill

Other Cast

Za – Derek Newark

Hur – Alethea Charlton

Old Mother – Eileen Way

Kal – Jeremy Young

Horg – Howard Lang

Writers

C. E. Webber (Episode 1)

Anthony Coburn

Directors

Waris Hussein

Producer

Verity Lambert

Story Editor

David Whitaker

Designers

Peter Brachacki (1); Barry Newbery

Notes

The first episode aired the day after John F. Kennedy was assassinated, leading to concerns about low viewing figures.