As the Doctor Who universe mourns the passing of William Russell, the late actor's co-star Carole Ann Ford and current showrunner Russell T. Davies are sharing their thoughts. Russell's schoolteacher, Ian Chesterton, and Ford's Susan made their debut in 1963's 'An Unearthly Child,' joining William Hartnell's First Doctor and Jacqueline Hill's Barbara Wright for the start of what would turn into a global phenomenon that recently celebrated its 60th anniversary.
He will be missed.' Images: BBC 'What a sad loss. William played the Doctor's very first companion, Ian Chesterton, back in 1963. A schoolteacher, trapped on the Tardis by a wily old Doctor, unable to get home, whisked off to the Stone Age, Skaro, the Crusades, Planet of the Zarbi..! Wonderful! A fine, nimble, witty, heartfelt actor who absolutely sold the truth of those early years,' Davies began the caption to his post honoring Russell – along with an image of the two together.