Derek Martinus has already gone down in Doctor Who history as one of the most important directors the series has ever had. Just take a look at his selected resume . The Tenth Planet, The Evil Of The Daleks and Spearhead From Space. Those are some supremely impressive stories. He was in on Hartnell’s last story, directing the first ever regeneration, and then worked the other side of the situation, helming Pertwee’s debut. That feat made him the first Doctor Who director to use colour. And in between? Evil, arguably one of the greatest Dalek stories of all time and The Ice Warriors. Galaxy 4 was his only other Doctor Who contribution, but even that long neglected story has gained some more fame and appreciation over the past couple years with the return of Episode 3, Air Lock.

Though we will remember him for his contributions to Doctor Who, he did plenty of other shows including Z-Cars and Blake 7, directing until he retired in 1985. He passed away today at the age of 82. We send our condolences to his family.