William Hartnell

William Hartnell Profile Photo

Characters played by William Hartnell

The Doctor — Doctor Who (1963)

The Doctor is the title character, a rogue Time Lord who fled Gallifrey in a stolen TARDIS. Travelling through time and space with ingenuity and a sonic screwdriver, the Doctor confronts dangerous adversaries, protects civilisations, makes difficult moral choices, and is repeatedly opposed by The Master and other recurring enemies.

Herbert Moresby — Footsteps in the Fog (1955)

Herbert Moresby is Lily Watkins's sister's husband and becomes involved after recovering the incriminating letter that Lily tried to destroy. He takes the letter to Lowry's lawyer and attempts to extort money for it. His intervention preserves evidence of Stephen's actions and increases the pressure surrounding the central crime.

The Doctor — Doctor Who: The Space Museum (1965)

Main protagonist who explores the Space Museum on Xeros. Evades Morok interrogation, is nearly frozen into an exhibit by Lobos, and is eventually rescued by Ian before the group escapes in the TARDIS.

The Doctor — Doctor Who: The Myth Makers (1965)

Emerges from the TARDIS near Troy, mistaken for Zeus. Persuades the Greek camp to spare Steven, proposes the Trojan Horse stratagem, and navigates the fall of Troy while searching for Vicki before escaping with his companions.

The Doctor — Doctor Who: The Gunfighters (1966)

The First Doctor is a time traveller whose TARDIS lands in Tombstone while he is suffering from a toothache. He seeks out Doc Holliday for treatment, but the Clantons mistake him for Holliday and threaten him. Wyatt Earp and Bat Masterson take him into custody for his protection; after the town’s gunfight, he leaves with Steven and Dodo.

Sergeant Grimshawe — Carry On Sergeant (1958)

Retiring army sergeant betting on his recruits' success.

Dallow — Brighton Rock (1948)

Pinkie's last remaining gang member who learns of the suicide pact plan, objects to Rose's murder, accompanies Pinkie and Rose for a final drink, and helps alert the police to protect Rose.

Cartley, Hawlett Manager — Hell Drivers (1957)

The corrupt depot manager who enforces grueling quotas for the haulage company. He colludes with Red to embezzle wages by hiring fewer drivers, offers Tom a bribe to stay silent, and dies in the final crash orchestrated by his own greed.

Fencie - the barman — Odd Man Out (1947)

Fencie is the barman who recognizes Johnny when the wounded fugitive enters the pub. He hides Johnny in a snug and later breaks up the fight between Shell and Lukey, closes the premises, and persuades Lukey to take Johnny away as compensation for the damage caused to the bar.

Sergeant Grimshawe (archive footage) — That's Carry On! (1977)

Military figure cameo from Carry On Sergeant archive footage

Leo Martin — Appointment with Crime (1946)

A thief working for Gus Loman's gang, Leo is caught during a jewellery-store robbery after a security shutter breaks his wrists. He serves his prison term without informing on Gus, then seeks revenge when Gus refuses to employ him again. Leo frames Gus for murder, begins a romance with Carol Dane, and is eventually exposed by the investigation.

Tom Masterick — Murder in Reverse (1945)

A stevedore wrongly convicted of murdering Fred Smith after a dockside fight. After serving 15 years, he returns to London to uncover the truth, tracks down his ex-wife and Smith, and attempts to clear his name. When legal avenues fail, he fatally shoots Smith in front of a judge to expose the miscarriage of justice.

Career Overview

William Hartnell has 126 screen credits in a career dating back to 1933. Their work spans 3 cinematic universes — most prominently Carry On Series with 2 titles. Signature works include Doctor Who: The Doctors Revisited, Doctor Who: The Tenth Planet, Doctor Who: The War Machines. Explore the interactive character relationship maps on each title page to trace how their roles connect across franchises.

Personal Facts

Known For
Acting
Gender
male
Known Credits
126
Birth Date
1908-01-08 00:00:00
Birth Place
Saint Pancras, London, England, UK

Known For

Associated Universes

Universe traveler — spans 3 universes

Frequent Collaborators

Credits

Content sources

Related entry on Wikidata (Q361996), public domain (CC0).