The First Doctor

An old man in a police box that is bigger inside than out, travelling with his granddaughter Susan and two bewildered schoolteachers who stumble into his ship. He is imperious, secretive, quick to bristle at questions, and utterly convinced of his own superiority — a stranger from nowhere anyone can place, unwilling to explain himself to people he considers barely capable of following.

Bradley plays him by measuring every syllable and pause against William Hartnell's original performance, down to the crotchety little stumbles and sudden twinkles of mischief. It could have been mere impression; instead it becomes its own performance, finding real tenderness under the crustiness, so the founding Doctor feels rediscovered rather than merely echoed.