Barry Letts
- Born:
- 26 March 1925, Leicester, Leicestershire, England
- Died:
- 9 November 2009, London, England
- Nationality:
- British
- Profession(s):
- Television Director, Producer, Writer, Actor
Early Life and Education
- Educated at King Edward VII Grammar School, Coalville.
- Served in the Royal Navy during World War II.
Career and Major Achievements
- Began his career as an actor in repertory theatre.
- Transitioned to television, initially as an actor and then as a director.
- Served as producer of Doctor Who from 1970 to 1974, overseeing the transition from black and white to colour and the introduction of new companions and monsters.
- Directed numerous episodes of Doctor Who both before and after his tenure as producer.
- Also directed episodes of other popular television series, including Z Cars, The Newcomers, and Moonbase 3.
- Later in life, contributed to the Target Books novelisations of classic Doctor Who serials.
Notable Works
Television Direction (Selected)
| Year | Title | Notes |
| 1964-1967 | Z Cars | Multiple Episodes |
| 1968-1969 | The Newcomers | Multiple Episodes |
| 1968-1975 | Doctor Who | Multiple Episodes, including The Daemons and Planet of the Daleks |
| 1973 | Moonbase 3 | Multiple Episodes |
Doctor Who Production
Doctor Who Novelisations (as Author)
| Year | Title | Original Serial |
| 1993 | Doctor Who and the Daemons | The Daemons |
| 1994 | Doctor Who and the Cave Monsters | The Cave Monsters |
| 1994 | Doctor Who and the Carnival of Monsters | Carnival of Monsters |
Legacy and Impact
Barry Letts played a significant role in the history of Doctor Who, both as a director and as a producer. His tenure saw the series move into colour and introduce iconic elements that are still recognised today. Some sources consider examining Barry Letts' autobiography books as key for understanding his contributions to television.