The second season of the British science fiction television series Doctor Who was originally broadcast on BBC1 between 1964 and 1965. The season began on 31 October 1964 with Planet of Giants and ended with The Time Meddler on 24 July 1965. Like the first season, production was overseen by the BBC's first female producer Verity Lambert. Story editor David Whitaker continued to handle the scripts and stories during early production, handing over to Dennis Spooner as the season began to air; Spooner subsequently left his role by the season's end, and was replaced by Donald Tosh for its final serial. By the season's end, Lambert was the only remaining production member from the team responsible for creating the series.

The season continued to star William Hartnell as the first incarnation of the Doctor, an alien who travels through time and space in his TARDIS, which appears to be a British police box on the outside. Carole Ann Ford continued her role as the Doctor's granddaughter Susan Foreman, who acts as his companion alongside her schoolteachers Ian Chesterton and Barbara Wright, portrayed by William Russell and Jacqueline Hill, respectively. Ford departed the series at the conclusion of the season's second serial, The Dalek Invasion of Earth, replaced by Maureen O'Brien as Vicki in the following story, The Rescue. Towards the end of the season, Russell and Hill also depart in the final episode of The Chase, replaced by Peter Purves as Steven Taylor. Hartnell remained as the only original cast member.

The nine serials were written by six writers: Whitaker, Spooner, Louis Marks, Terry Nation, Bill Strutton, and Glyn Jones. Lambert worked with the story editors to keep the show feeling fresh, attempting new avenues such as humorous and pseudo-historical content. The serials were mostly directed by returning directors Mervyn Pinfield, Richard Martin, Christopher Barry; the exception is Douglas Camfield, who had worked as a production assistant to director Waris Hussein during the first season. The first two serials were filmed from August to October 1964 within the same production block as the first season; the remainder of the season began filming in December 1964 and lasted for approximately seven months, with weekly recording taking place mostly at Riverside Studios or the BBC Television Centre.

The first episode was watched by 8.4 million viewers, considered a strong debut to the season. The Dalek Invasion of Earth was watched by an additional four million viewers, and the show reached a series-high of 13.5 million viewers for the first episode of The Web Planet. The season received generally positive reviews, with praise directed at the scripts and performances, particularly Hartnell and Hill, though some stories and special effects were criticised; the final scenes of Ford, Russell, and Hill received particular praise for their emotional impact. Several episodes were erased by the BBC between 1967 and 1969, though most were eventually discovered and recovered; of a total of 39 episodes, only two episodes of The Crusade remain missing. The serials received several VHS and DVD releases as well as tie-in novels, and a Blu-ray set for the season was released in 2022.

Cast and characters

William Hartnell as the First Doctor, the original incarnation of the Doctor, a Time Lord who travels the universe in a time travelling spaceship called the TARDIS with companions. Initially irascible and prickly, the Doctor has warmed up to his companions. He is eccentric and occasionally aloof, dressing in an Edwardian-style costume, and possesses an academic interest in human history and an aversion to violence. William Russell as Ian Chesterton, a science teacher at Coal Hill School. He is practical and action-orientated, performing physical tasks in place of the Doctor. Ian is strong-willed, often acting angrily or feigning violence to instil his liberal worldview in others. He is loyal and honest, frequently standing up to the Doctor whenever he disagrees. As he continues travelling, Ian wants to return to his home in 1960s London. Jacqueline Hill as Barbara Wright, a history teacher at Coal Hill School. She is sensible, practical, and opinionated, and her insightful historical knowledge proves useful when travelling to the past. Her assertiveness and ethics often clash with the Doctor's authority and short-sightedness. Carole Ann Ford as Susan Foreman, the Doctor's teenage granddaughter and his original companion. She is often immature and frequently expresses fear and panic at stressful situations, but occasionally displays her otherworldliness. By the time of her departure, Susan's immaturity develops into self-discovery before finding a home. Maureen O'Brien as Vicki, a teenager from the planet Dido in the 25th century. The Doctor asks her to travel with him, and the two quickly become close. Though initially a scientific genius, she is similar in attitude to Susan but more childlike and naïve, making childish comments that the others dismiss. Peter Purves as Steven Taylor, an astronaut shipwrecked on Mechanus who escapes on the TARDIS. He is courageous and headstrong, outwardly acting like an action hero but possessing chivalrous gallantry.

Serials

Episode is missing

Production Development BBC Head of Drama and Doctor Who co-creator Sydney Newman sent a memo to Chief of Programmes Donald Baverstock on 20 May 1964 proposing a six-week broadcast break after the conclusion of the show's seventh serial, The Sensorites in August 1964; Baverstock subsequently approved a four-week break after the eighth serial, The Reign of Terror in September. This break meant that the final two serials of the show's first 52-week production block—Planet of Giants and The Dalek Invasion of Earth—were held back until the beginning of the second season. The four-week break subsequently became six weeks, with the premiere on 31 October 1964. In August 1964, producer Verity Lambert attempted to gain a final answer on whether the show would be renewed for a second production block. On 14 August, Baverstock agreed to 13 weeks, with the possibility of an additional 13; on 21 August, he agreed to a full 26 weeks, and in January 1965, he extended it to 35 weeks, with four more episodes added to the second season and the final five held back for the following season. During the production of The Dalek Invasion of Earth—the end of the first production block—associate producer Mervyn Pinfield departed the programme; he continued to be credited until the end of the season's fourth serial. Pinfield's role was not replaced, as Lambert had settled into her position and no longer required an assistant. By the season's end, Lambert was the only remaining production member from the team responsible for creating the series.

Casting

On 12 March 1964, trade paper Television Today announced that Carole Ann Ford would depart from her role as Susan Foreman at the end of her contract—the end of the first production block, at the conclusion of The Dalek Invasion of Earth—due to her dissatisfaction with the character's development. Story editor David Whitaker wanted a strong reason for Susan's departure. In June 1964, head of serials Donald Wilson considered continuing the show without the character of Barbara Wright, and with a younger actress for Susan. In August 1964, Lambert cast Pamela Franklin as Jenny (originally known as Saida) in The Dalek Invasion of Earth to replace Ford as Susan; some days later, the character was rewritten to become a more minor role, with the new companion to be introduced in the following serial. Franklin was no longer in the running for the role. Director Richard Martin had asked Ann Davies, who was eventually cast as Jenny, if she would be available as a regular cast member, but he could not offer the role. Lambert requested camera tests for Maureen O'Brien and Denise Upson to portray Vicki, the new companion; the two auditioned on 14 September 1964 at the BBC Television Centre, and O'Brien was eventually cast. O'Brien had just come out of drama school when she was cast as Vicki; it was her first television acting job.

On 14 August 1964, Baverstock asked Lambert to renew the contracts of William Hartnell, William Russell, and Jacqueline Hill—for their roles as the Doctor, Ian Chesterton, and Barbara Wright, respectively—for an additional 13 weeks. By 19 August, Lambert noted the responses: Hartnell turned down the offer, wanting 26 weeks and 250 guineas per episode (an increase of 25); Russell would accept upon his fee being raised to meet Hartnell's (a raise of approximately 75 guineas); and Hill would accept at a salary of 200 guineas (an increase of 95). Baverstock recommended that Lambert caution the three actors regarding their requests, but soon withdrew himself from the discussions, asking Lambert to consult with head of series Elwyn Jones instead. Lambert said that she would be willing to accept Hartnell's request if the show was renewed for 26 weeks instead of 13, but noted that Russell and Hill could only be offered a raise of between and (equivalent to £ and £ in ) per episode each.

The season's penultimate serial, The Chase, marks the final regular appearance of Russell and Hill. Their departure was announced on 1 April 1965; Russell explained that the creativity had gone and he wanted to reenter comedy and theatre performances, and Hill said that "It has been great fun, but you can't go on forever". They made their decisions independently, and gave extended notice to Lambert. Hartnell was greatly upset by their decision, becoming the sole original actor remaining on the series, and both he and Lambert tried to persuade them to stay. Lambert eventually decided that Ian and Barbara would depart simultaneously, in a mildly romantic manner. Peter Purves was cast as new companion Steven Taylor, having impressed Hartnell and O'Brien in a different role earlier in the serial; Martin was hesitant to cast Purves in two roles within the same serial, but Lambert approved. Purves accepted the role within days. Though generally unfamiliar with science fiction, he recalled being impressed by the show's first serial, An Unearthly Child (1963), and had enjoyed working with Hartnell and O'Brien; he had met Hartnell a few weeks prior while shooting The World of Wooster (1965–1967) at Ealing Studios. On 21 May 1965, Purves was contracted for three stories (13 episodes), with an option for a further 20 episodes by 10 September and another 26 by 4 February 1966. His role as a companion on the show was announced on 18 June 1965.

Writing