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William Russell

1924 - 2024 (age 99) • Acting

William Russell Enoch (19 November 1924–3 June 2024) was an English actor. He achieved prominence in 1956 when he took the title role in the ITV television series The Adventures of Sir Lancelot (1956–1957). In 1963, he became part of the original lead cast of BBC1's Doctor Who, playing the role of schoolteacher Ian Chesterton opposite William Hartnell from the show's first episode until 1965. Russell's film roles include parts in The Man Who Never Was (1956), The Great Escape (1963) and Superman (1978). On television, he notably appeared as Ted Sullivan in Coronation Street in 1992. In recent years, Russell has maintained his association with Doctor Who; he returned to the show in 2022, making a cameo appearance as Ian in "The Power of the Doctor", 57 years after the character's last television appearance.

Known For

Doctor Who

79%

Ian Chesterton

1963

Agatha Christie's Poirot

82%

Lanscombe

1989

Blackadder

80%

The Duke of Winchester

1983

Death Watch

63%

Dr. Mason

1980

Coronation Street

54%

Ted Sullivan

1960

Robin of Sherwood

76%

The Duke of Gloucester

1984

Casualty

62%

Mo Meredrew

1986

The Professionals

76%

Charles Holly

1977

Doctor Who: The Daleks in Colour

61%

Ian Chesterton (archive footage)

2023

William Russell: In Conversation

Self

2022

Executive Order

69%
2022

The Doctors: The William Hartnell Years

2017

An Adventure in Space and Time

77%

Harry

2013

Rediscovering the Urge to Live

70%
2012

Don't Lose Your Head: The Making of 'The Reign of Terror'

Himself

2012

Vision On

Ian Chesterton (archive footage)

2012

Last Stop White City

80%

Self

2010

The Sets of Marinus

Ian Chesterton (archive footage)

2009

What Has 'The Romans' Ever Done For Us?

Self

2009

Dennis Spooner: Wanna Write a Television Series?

2009

Mounting the Rescue

Self

2009

The Ties That Bind Us

Ian Chesterton (archive footage)

2008

Creation of the Daleks

80%

Ian Chesterton (archive footage)

2006

Doctor Who: Origins

85%

Self

2006

Masters of Sound

80%

Ian Chesterton (archive footage)

2006

Over the Edge: The Story of 'The Edge of Destruction'

70%

Self / Ian Chesterton

2006

Inside the Spaceship: The Story of the TARDIS

80%

Self / Ian Chesterton

2006

Tales of Isop

80%

Self

2005

Future Memories: Making 'The Dalek Invasion of Earth'

90%

Ian Chesterton (archive footage)

2003

Remembering 'The Aztecs'

75%

Ian Chesterton (archive footage)

2002

Henry V at Shakespeare's Globe

King Charles VI of France / Bishop of Ely / Sir Thomas Erpingham

1997

The Affair

40%

Dr. Hastings

1995

Heartbeat

72%

Gabriel Firth

1992

Agatha Christie's Poirot

82%

Lanscombe

1989

The Four Minute Mile

75%

AAA Official

1988

Casualty

62%

Mo Meredrew

1986

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