Robert Holmes (scriptwriter)

Robert Holmes (1926-1986) was a British television writer, best known for his prolific and influential work on the science fiction series Doctor Who.

Holmes joined Doctor Who in 1968 as a script editor under Derrick Sherwin. His early work involved rewriting scripts and contributing to the overall direction of the series. He quickly established himself as a talented writer, contributing scripts to the Patrick Troughton era.

Holmes became the show's script editor in 1970, during the transition to the Jon Pertwee era. He significantly shaped the tone and direction of the Third Doctor's stories, introducing recurring villains like the Autons and developing the concept of UNIT (United Nations Intelligence Taskforce). He left his role as script editor in 1974.

Following his departure as script editor, Holmes continued to write for Doctor Who throughout the Tom Baker era, contributing some of the series' most acclaimed and popular stories, including "The Ark in Space," "Genesis of the Daleks," "The Talons of Weng-Chiang," and "The Caves of Androzani" (his final contribution to the classic series). His writing style was characterized by its wit, complex plotting, memorable characters, and effective horror elements. He was particularly skilled at reinventing and expanding upon existing monsters and concepts.

Beyond Doctor Who, Holmes wrote for other television programs, including Sherlock Holmes, The Avengers, and Doomwatch. He is considered one of the most significant and influential writers in the history of Doctor Who.