BBC Commissions 'Doctor Who' Movie Special For Show's 50th Anniversary

Doctor Who fever continues. The long-running show, whose last season was the most-watched series ever on BBC America and the most downloaded on iTunes, is getting the TV-movie treatment. With its 50th anniversary fast approaching, the good Doctor will be the subject of a 90-minute drama, An Adventure In Space And Time, documenting the genesis of the character. The BBC says the special will air next year. Doctor Who was first broadcast on November 23, 1963 and has gone through myriad incarnations with at least 11 different actors playing the Doctor, beginning with William Hartnell and including Christopher Eccleston, David Tennant and the current Matt Smith. Mark Gatiss, whose credits include Doctor Who and BBC series Sherlock, wrote the film. Exec producers are Steven Moffat and Caroline Skinner. The latest season of Doctor Who starts in the UK this month with BBC America following in the fall.