Derek Martinus

Derek Martinus (born Derek Buitenhuis in Ilford, Essex on 4 April 1931, died 27 March 2014 in London ) directed six Doctor Who television stories from 1965 to 1970 with the first three Doctors.

Before working on Doctor Who, Martinus served in the Royal Air Force. Some time after his service, he studied acting & directing at Yale University in Connecticut. Upon returning to the UK, he directed and acted in numerous productions under the name of Derek Martinus. The name 'Martinus' was taken from his brother's middle name.

The first story he directed was Galaxy 4. Spearhead from Space was the final story of Doctor Who he directed, making him the first director to direct a colour television Doctor Who story. He also directed two stories of the science fiction TV series, Blake's 7 (Trial and The Keeper).

Martinus passed away on 27 March 2014, after succumbing to complications brought on by a long struggle with Alzheimer's disease.

An archive interview with Derek was featured in the documentary The Trouble with Chumblies.

Doctor Who stories directed

 * Galaxy 4
 * Mission to the Unknown
 * The Tenth Planet
 * The Evil of the Daleks
 * The Ice Warriors
 * Spearhead from Space