Hugh Burden was an actor and playwright who portrayed Channing in the Doctor Who serial Spearhead from Space. Burdon was born in Columbo, Ceylon, the son of a colonial official. He was educated at Beaumont College and trained at the Central School of Speech and Drama and RADA. He then appeared on stage in repertory theatre in Croydon and in London's West End before military service in the Hampshire Regiment and the Indian Army from 1939 to 1942. In addition to his acting career, Burdon wrote several television and stage plays and was an Equity council member. He died on 17 May 1985 in London.