An early preview of the new "Doctor Who" series hit the Web weeks before its debut over the weekend in Great Britain, but it seems that the responsible party is no longer involved with the production.

The person, who was not named, apparently put the premiere episode, "Rose," on the Internet March 7, three weeks before it was expected to start on BBC One, and a month before it was to start airing in Canada.

BBC Worldwide reported that its broadcast partner in Canada helpe din the investigation, which dealt with someone who had access to a preview copy of the opening episode. BBC officials said the person worked for a "third-party company in Canada."

"After a thorough investigation by BBC Worldwide's Canadian broadcast partner, the source of the leak of Episode 1 of the new 'Doctor Who' series has been traced to a third-party company in Canada which had an early preview copy for legitimate purposes," BBC Worldwide officials said in a release. "The individual responsible for the leak has had their employment terminated by that company as a result. BBC Worldwide is considering further legal remedies and takes extremely seriously any unlawful copying or misuse of its copyright material."

"Doctor Who," starring Christopher Eccleston and Billie Piper, premieres March 26 on BBC One in the UK. It will premiere in Canada in early April.