 This is the first New Doctor Who story for 16 years and introduces Christopher Eccleston as the Ninth Doctor and Billie Piper as his travelling companion Rose Tyler.
This story is the first using the new title sequence featuring Christopher Eccleston as The Doctor.
For the first time, the names of the two main actors (Christopher Eccleston and Billie Piper) preceded the story's name in the opening titles. Also, for the first time in the show, since the last episode of the Second Doctor story "The Moonbase", the current Doctor's face was not used in the titles. Paul McGann's name (although not his face) did appear in the opening credits of the 1996 television movie "Doctor Who: The Movie", but only after the story's title.
This is the only Ninth Doctor story not to have a precredits sequence; the next story which did not have such a sequence was the Tenth Doctor story "Smith and Jones" (another season opener that introduced a companion).
Actor Mark Benton, who plays conspiracy theorist Clive, previously appeared as Ellis in the Big Finish Productions audio story "Invaders From Mars", starring Paul McGann as the Eighth Doctor.
Although not named in the actual story, the plastic mannequins are in fact are Autons. They were created by Robert Holmes and featured in the Third Doctor stories "Spearhead From Space" and "Terror of the Autons" where The Doctor was played by Jon Pertwee.
Even though not actually seen it is implied that The Doctor has recently regenerated, as he looks at his appearance in the mirror in Rose's flat. This is the first and only time in which the circumstances of The Doctor's regeneration at the start of a Doctor's era remains unexplained. This is also only the second time in which The Doctor regenerates without a companion, the first being Jon Pertwee's debut as the Third Doctor in the 1970 story "Spearhead From Space". The force controlling the Autons, The Nestene Consciousness also made its first appearance in Doctor Who in the story "Spearhead From Space".
The photographs in Clive's shed are of the Ninth Doctor present at The Kennedy assassination, Krakatoa and Southampton on the eve of the ill-faited maiden voyage of the Titanic.
The coat stand seen in the TARDIS is the same style as the one featured in the original run of the show.
The search engine featured in this story (wise.net) was created specifically for television and film use.
This is the first story in which The Doctor mentions the Time War, a running thread in the revived show. This story also sees the first reference to The Shadow Proclamation. The meaning of who or what this might be is not revealled until the 2008 Season Thirty (New Series 4) story "The Stolen Earth/Journey's End".
During its first showing on BBC1 sound interference could be heard from another BBC channel. This occurred three times. First when Rose Tyler is in the basement looking for Wilson, then when she is being stalked by the Autons and again just before she is rescued by The Doctor. This sound interference was corrected for the following days repeat on BBC3.
Christopher Eccleston is credited as 'Doctor Who' in the end credits, the first time The Doctor has been listed with that name since the end of Season Eighteen.
Two specials aired in conjunction with the programme. A special documentary preview of the revived show that also focused on the original called Doctor Who: A New Dimension. And following on immediately after the story itself on BBC3, was the first chapter of Doctor Who Confidential "Bringing Back The Doctor" looking into the bringing The Doctor back to our screens.
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The Firsts:
The first Doctor Who story of the revised show, the first for Season Twenty Seven (New Series 1) and the first new story for 16 years. It was broadcast on 26 March 2005.
Christopher Eccleston's first appearance as the Ninth Doctor.
The introduction of companion Rose Tyler played by Billie Piper.
The introduction of regular supporting characters Jackie Tyler (played by Camille Coduri) and Mickey Smith (played by Noel Clarke).
The first appearance of the Autons for 34 years - since the 1971 Third Doctor story "Terror of the Autons".
The first single episode story of the revised show and the first since the 1965 story "Mission to the Unknown".
The first story using a new title sequence featuring Christopher Eccleston as The Doctor and to include the names of the main actors (Christopher Eccleston and Billie Piper).
This is the first story in which The Doctor mentions the Time War, a running thread in the new series
Christopher Eccleston is credited as "Doctor Who" in the end credits, the first time The Doctor has been listed with that name since the end of Season Eighteen.
The first time the inside of the TARDIS is visible from the outside.
Russell T Davies', Julie Gardner's and Mal Young's first involvement in the show as Executive Producers.
Phil Collinson's first involvement in the show as Producer.
Helen Vallis' first involvement in the show as Associate Producer.
Elwen Rowlands' first involvement in the show as Script Editor.
The first Doctor Who story to be written by Russell T Davies.
The first Doctor Who story to be directed by Keith Boak.
Edward Thomas' first involvement in the show as Production Designer.
Davy Jones's first involvement in the show as Makeup Artist.
Lucinda Wright's first involvement in the show as Costume Designer.
First time Murray Gold's version of the signature tune, sound and music is heard in the show.
The Mill's first involvement in the show providing the visual effects.
Paul Jefferies' first involvement in the show providing special sounds.
The first Doctor Who story to be recorded at BBC Wales (Unit Q2, Newport).
The first time a story ends with a trailer for the next story.
For the first time in the show's history, following on immediately after the episode itself, was a 'behind-the-scenes' documentary (called Doctor Who Confidential).
The first Doctor Who story, of the revised series, to be watched by more than 10 million viewers.
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(Position = 7 out of 10)
(Position = 63 out of 200)
