Derek Martinus was a British theater and television director best known for his work on the long-running sci-fi adventure series Doctor Who.

Originally from Essex, England, Martinus served in the Royal Air Force before moving to the U.S. to study acting and directing at the University of Oklahoma and Yale University. He then returned to Britain, where he worked as an actor for several years before establshing himself as a director.

He got his start directing for the stage, and later shifted to television. He made his TV directing debut in 1965 with the soccer-themed series United!

From 1965 to 1970 he directed 26 episodes of Doctor Who, working with the first three actors to play the Doctor, William Hartnell, Patrick Troughton and Jon Pertwee.

In the years that followed, his credits included A Little Princess, A Legacy, Angels, Z Cars, Penmarric and Spearhead.

Martinus died March 27, 2014. He was 82.