A respected rising star writer and dramatist within the BBC, with a terrific grasp of storytelling and character development, David Whitaker proved a splendid choice to helm the scripts and script developments for the new and unusual new family audience science fiction/educational series for children and family audiences destined for transmission in November, 1963. Whitaker had the ability in his important position to think and adapt on his feet within the challenging realms. logistics and budgeting of television production (carving out not only a planned run of thirteen episodes but a later full season of 52 episodes!), had a fine rapport with Verity Lambert in her first barnstorming producing role, and was well liked by both cast and crew over the weeks and months ahead going from 1963-1964 as the fledgling series took magnificent shape and won huge audiences going into 1964.
Cementing the show's format into what it would become and endure from (especially in the development of the Doctor, as played by William Hartnell), it was Whitaker who also helped bring in some of the series' finest writing talents for that premiere season, including former comedy writer Terry Nation, who'd soon bring a secret weapon for success to the show's iconic arsenal with the dreaded Daleks, though it would be Whitaker who would go on to develop the metal meanies alongside him in other ways during the late sixties, not just as script editor for their eventual return story from Nation, but as a key co-developer with him of sorts in the Daleks' lives beyond the series in hugely successful and acclaimed merchandising - books, annual and comics storytelling, as well as later contributing two all-time classic stories for them with the Patrick Troughton era post his departure from the script editor position in 1965.
David Whitaker's incredible contributions to the series genesis and its legacy can truly never be underestimated...
Look out for the new book on Whitaker's unique life and career:
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