The Romans (Doctor Who)

012 – The Romans
Doctor Who serial
Nero (Derek Francis) reprimands the Doctor (William Hartnell) for setting fire to his plans. The performances of Francis and Hartnell in the serial received praise.[1][2][3]
Cast
Doctor William Hartnell – First Doctor
Companions William Russell – Ian Chesterton Jacqueline Hill – Barbara Wright Maureen O'Brien – Vicki
Guest Derek Francis – Nero Michael Peake – Tavius Brian Proudfoot – Tigellinus Kay Patrick – Poppaea Sabina Peter Diamond – Delos Derek Sydney – Sevcheria Nicholas Evans – Didius Barry Jackson – Ascaris Ann Tirard – Locusta Dennis Edwards – Centurion Margot Thomas – Stall Holder Edward Kelsey – Slave Buyer Bart Allison – Maximus Pettulian Dorothy-Rose Gribble – Woman Slave Gertan Klauber – Galley Master Ernest Jennings, John Caesar – Men in Market Tony Lambden – Court Messenger
Production
Directed by	Christopher Barry
Written by	Dennis Spooner[a]
Produced by	Verity Lambert
Music by	Raymond Jones
Production code	M
Series	Season 2
Running time	4 episodes, 25 minutes each
First broadcast	16 January 1965 (1965-01-16)
Last broadcast	6 February 1965 (1965-02-06)
Chronology
← Preceded by The Rescue Followed by → The Web Planet
List of episodes (1963–1989)

The Romans is the fourth serial of the second season in the British science fiction television series Doctor Who. Written by Dennis Spooner and directed by Christopher Barry, the serial was broadcast on BBC1 in four weekly parts from 16 January to 6 February 1965. In the serial, the First Doctor (William Hartnell) and his new companion Vicki (Maureen O'Brien) investigate intrigue surrounding the death of a lyre player en route to perform at the palace of Nero (Derek Francis) in Rome, while companions Ian Chesterton (William Russell) and Barbara Wright (Jacqueline Hill) are captured by slave traders and sold respectively as a galley slave (later a gladiator) and as a body slave to Nero's wife Poppaea (Kay Patrick).

The Romans was envisioned as the first Doctor Who serial with a humorous tone, originally intended to parody the 1951 film Quo Vadis. The story presents real historical characters in a fictitious manner. The serial was produced in a six-episode block with the preceding story, The Rescue, to introduce new companion Vicki. It features the design work of Raymond Cusick, and the incidental music was composed by Raymond Jones in his first work for the series. The Romans premiered with 13 million viewers, continuing the high viewership of the previous serial, which it maintained across the four weeks. Reviews were generally positive, with praise for the performances and characterisation, though its comedic tone received mixed responses. The serial was later novelised and released on VHS and DVD.

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