Derrick Sherwin
Encyclopedia
Derrick Sherwin is a British
television producer
, writer, and actor. He is best known as the story editor (1968–69) and later producer (1969–70) of Doctor Who
. With the death of Barry Letts
in October 2009, he and Philip Hinchcliffe
are the only producers of the classic series of Doctor Who who are still alive.
He was script editor
on the stories from The Web of Fear
to The Mind Robber
, and on the latter tale he wrote the first episode. He also wrote the script for The Invasion
, which introduced the United Nations Intelligence Taskforce
, having adapted the original storyline supplied by Kit Pedler
.
In 1968/1969 Sherwin began to take a greater role in the producing side of the series and was the unofficial Assistant Producer for the rest of the series' sixth season, with Terrance Dicks
succeeding him as script-editor. On The Space Pirates
Sherwin briefly resumed his old role as Dicks was busy writing The War Games
. Sherwin then succeeded Peter Bryant
as producer
of the programme in 1969, overseeing the production of The War Games
and Spearhead from Space
as well as casting Jon Pertwee
in the lead role on the programme. He also made a small on-screen appearance as a car park attendant in Spearhead from Space — he had formerly been an actor and was still a member of the actors' union, and dismissed the actor originally cast in the part for not being able to perform the role adequately.
After Doctor Who, Sherwin was the producer on Paul Temple
, The Man Outside (1972), Ski-Boy (1973), and The Perils of Pendragon (1974). Derrick Sherwin now lives in New Zealand and owns Big D Productions.
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
television producer
Television producer
The primary role of a television Producer is to allow all aspects of video production, ranging from show idea development and cast hiring to shoot supervision and fact-checking...
, writer, and actor. He is best known as the story editor (1968–69) and later producer (1969–70) of Doctor Who
Doctor Who
Doctor Who is a British science fiction television programme produced by the BBC. The programme depicts the adventures of a time-travelling humanoid alien known as the Doctor who explores the universe in a sentient time machine called the TARDIS that flies through time and space, whose exterior...
. With the death of Barry Letts
Barry Letts
Barry Leopold Letts was a British actor, television director, writer and producer best known for his work on the BBC science fiction television series Doctor Who, and for producing the BBC's Sunday Classic drama serials in the late 1970s and early 1980s...
in October 2009, he and Philip Hinchcliffe
Philip Hinchcliffe
Philip Hinchcliffe is a British television producer, who brought shows including Private Schulz and The Charmer to the screen, probably best known for the overseeing of British television series Doctor Who from 1974-1977...
are the only producers of the classic series of Doctor Who who are still alive.
He was script editor
Script editor
A script editor is a member of the production team of scripted television programmes, usually dramas and comedies. The script editor has many responsibilities including finding new script writers, developing storyline and series ideas with writers, ensuring that scripts are suitable for production...
on the stories from The Web of Fear
The Web of Fear
The Web of Fear is a serial in the British science fiction television series Doctor Who, which was first broadcast in six weekly parts from 3 February to 9 March 1968. This serial — which marks the return of the Yeti, the Great Intelligence, and Professor Travers — is the sequel to The Abominable...
to The Mind Robber
The Mind Robber
The Mind Robber is a serial in the British science fiction television series Doctor Who, which was first broadcast in five weekly parts from September 14 to October 12, 1968...
, and on the latter tale he wrote the first episode. He also wrote the script for The Invasion
The Invasion (Doctor Who)
The Invasion is a serial in the British science fiction television series Doctor Who, which was first broadcast in eight weekly parts from 2 November to 21 December 1968...
, which introduced the United Nations Intelligence Taskforce
United Nations Intelligence Taskforce
UNIT is a fictional military organisation from the British science fiction television series Doctor Who, Torchwood and The Sarah Jane Adventures...
, having adapted the original storyline supplied by Kit Pedler
Kit Pedler
Dr Christopher Magnus Howard "Kit" Pedler was a British medical scientist, science fiction author and writer on science in general....
.
In 1968/1969 Sherwin began to take a greater role in the producing side of the series and was the unofficial Assistant Producer for the rest of the series' sixth season, with Terrance Dicks
Terrance Dicks
Terrance Dicks is an English writer, best known for his work in television and for writing a large number of popular children's books during the 1970s and 80s.- Early career :...
succeeding him as script-editor. On The Space Pirates
The Space Pirates
The Space Pirates is a serial in the British science fiction television series Doctor Who, which originally aired in six weekly parts from 8 March to 12 April 1969.-Plot:...
Sherwin briefly resumed his old role as Dicks was busy writing The War Games
The War Games
The War Games is a serial in the British science fiction television series Doctor Who, which originally aired in ten weekly parts from 19 April to 21 June 1969. It was the last regular appearance of Patrick Troughton as the Second Doctor, and of Wendy Padbury and Frazer Hines as companions Zoe...
. Sherwin then succeeded Peter Bryant
Peter Bryant
Peter Bryant was the fourth producer of the BBC science fiction programme Doctor Who. He was born in London....
as producer
Television producer
The primary role of a television Producer is to allow all aspects of video production, ranging from show idea development and cast hiring to shoot supervision and fact-checking...
of the programme in 1969, overseeing the production of The War Games
The War Games
The War Games is a serial in the British science fiction television series Doctor Who, which originally aired in ten weekly parts from 19 April to 21 June 1969. It was the last regular appearance of Patrick Troughton as the Second Doctor, and of Wendy Padbury and Frazer Hines as companions Zoe...
and Spearhead from Space
Spearhead from Space
Spearhead from Space is a serial in the British science fiction television series Doctor Who, which was first broadcast in four weekly parts from 3 January to 24 January 1970. The serial opened Series 7 of the show and was the first to be produced in colour. The serial introduced Jon Pertwee as the...
as well as casting Jon Pertwee
Jon Pertwee
John Devon Roland Pertwee , was an English actor. Pertwee is best known for his role in the BBC science fiction television series Doctor Who, in which he played the third incarnation of the Doctor from 1970 to 1974, and as the title character in the series Worzel Gummidge...
in the lead role on the programme. He also made a small on-screen appearance as a car park attendant in Spearhead from Space — he had formerly been an actor and was still a member of the actors' union, and dismissed the actor originally cast in the part for not being able to perform the role adequately.
After Doctor Who, Sherwin was the producer on Paul Temple
Paul Temple
Paul Temple is a fictional character created by British writer Francis Durbridge for the BBC radio serial Send for Paul Temple in 1938. Temple is an amateur private detective and author of crime fiction...
, The Man Outside (1972), Ski-Boy (1973), and The Perils of Pendragon (1974). Derrick Sherwin now lives in New Zealand and owns Big D Productions.