The Doctor Falls Bradley was filmed as part of the filming of the Christmas Special in June 2017. David Bradley appears at the episode's conclusion as the First Doctor. Bradley portrayed William Hartnell, the First Doctor's actor, in the docudrama "An Adventure in Space and Time" and appeared as the villain Solomon in "Dinosaurs on a Spaceship", as well as voicing the character of Shansheeth Blue in "Death of the Doctor" in the "Doctor Who" spin-off series "The Sarah Jane Adventures". The episode was watched by 3.75 million viewers overnight. Compared to other programmes that aired on the same night, "Doctor Who" fared
An Adventure in Space and Time with his emotional attachment to the character; with little choice, he reluctantly accepts the situation. He breaks into tears as he informs his wife Heather (Lesley Manville) of the news, admitting that he doesn't want to leave the role. Before his final scene, Hartnell shares a brief exchange with his successor, Patrick Troughton (Reece Shearsmith). As the cameras are about to record, Hartnell looks across the main console and sees Matt Smith, who will play the same role nearly 50 years later. Smith silently acknowledges Hartnell's legacy before disappearing as Hartnell begins the scene. For the thirtieth anniversary of "Doctor