When people list the great
Doctor Who producers and showrunners,
Derrick Sherwin is often overlooked because his period as producer was brief involving
just two stories. However they were hugely significant stories and his
influence on the programme was considerable. He cast both Jon Pertwee and
Caroline John, created UNIT and has also been credited with creating the Time
Lords. He rejigged the series to an Earthbound setting and also oversaw the programme’s
move from being shown in black and white to colour. Provocative, outspoken and
passionate he sounds like a difficult person to work with but his influence on Doctor Who looms large to this day.
