The First Doctor is a character from the British science fiction television series Doctor Who. Portrayed by actor William Hartnell, he first appeared in 1963. The First Doctor is an alien Time Lord from the planet Gallifrey who travels through time and space in the TARDIS, a time machine that looks like a British police box. This incarnation of the Doctor is known for his grandfatherly demeanor and a strong sense of morality. He often traveled with companions, including Susan Foreman, his granddaughter, and Ian Chesterton and Barbara Wright, two of his teachers. The First Doctor laid the foundation for the character's legacy in the series.