Many great actors have played the titular character in Doctor Who over the years, but some versions of the Doctor have been far better than others.
It’s been more than six decades now since the very first episode of Doctor Who first aired. It hasn’t always been plain sailing, but, after more than 850 episodes, the show still has a fairly large following and fans all over the world. A lot of the series’ themes and antagonists have remained largely unchanged during this time, although the same cannot be said of its titular character.
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Since the show’s debut back in 1963, there have been 14 different iterations of the Doctor; 16, if John Hurt’s War Doctor and Jo Martin’s Fugitive Doctor are included. Each one has brought something a little different to the role, although some have done a much better job of bringing the classic sci-fi character to life than others.
Updated December 11, 2023, by Tom Bowen: The sixtieth-anniversary specials were full of big surprises. Ncuti Gatwa coming in as the fifteenth doctor wasn’t one of them, but the manner in which he was introduced definitely was. Thanks to Bigeneration, there are now two different versions of the Doctor in existence, with David Tennant’s Doctor seemingly destined to ride off into the sunset for the time being. He does so as one of the very best versions of the character, but every version of the Doctor deserves praise for what they have brought to the role.
The Fifteenth Doctor
Portrayed by Ncuti Gatwa
As of the time of writing, it’s still far too early to judge Ncuti Gatwa’s take on the Doctor, though the early signs are certainly promising. As the last of three sixtieth-anniversary specials edged closer toward its thrilling conclusion, viewers were introduced to an incredibly assertive character who exudes both gravitas and confidence in equal measures.
With Russell T Davies back at the helm, these qualities should hopefully be put to good use and explored in more detail as future episodes begin to air. Thankfully, fans of the show won’t have to wait too long to get another taste of Gatwa’s Doctor, as although there’s still no word on when exactly Series 14 of Doctor Who will air in 2024, they’ll at least have a Christmas special to look forward to in late 2023.
14 The Sixth Doctor
Portrayed by Colin Baker
Though the show’s decline in quality had more to do with lackluster writing and a lack of ideas than Colin Baker’s portrayal of the Doctor, there are very few moments of real quality to be found throughout the episodes in which the actor starred. In fact, his best moments as the Doctor arguably came in the Radio 4 drama, Slipback, rather than on the silver screen.
The sixth Doctor is best remembered for his passionate retorts and vibrant outfits, the latter of which was often at great odds with his tendency to lose his temper. Perhaps there’s a parallel universe in which Baker took up the role during the golden age of the show rather than in the midst of its downfall, but in this one, his time as the Doctor was both underwhelming and forgettable.
13 The Eighth Doctor
Portrayed by Paul McGann
It’s difficult to judge Paul McGann’s Doctor too harshly given how little screen time he ended up getting. Doctor Who: The TV Movie was originally planned to act as a springboard with which to relaunch the series, but after a seven-year hiatus, it struggled to find an audience and the show ended up lying dormant for another nine years.
The eighth Doctor’s sole solo outing was actually quite a good one, with McGann going toe to toe with the Master after his time machine malfunctions. His Doctor was a classy one in many respects and was not too dissimilar to Peter Capaldi’s portrayal in terms of his stern and, at times, serious demeanor.
12 The Seventh Doctor
Portrayed by Sylvester McCoy
Sylvester McCoy has the unfortunate honor of having gone down with the ship, so to speak, with his portrayal of the Doctor being the last before the show slipped into a long and silent slumber. In truth though, the writing had been on the wall for quite some time when he was handed the role, so to suggest that this was in any way his fault would be incredibly unfair.
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McCoy’s Doctor was a fairly silly one, though was capable of taking things seriously when the situation called for it. His outfits typically looked like a mismatched bundle of charity shop bargains, though, perhaps thanks to the actor’s charm and non-threatening persona, he was actually able to pull off this atrocious attire surprisingly well.
11 The Third Doctor
Portrayed by Jon Pertwee
Though they are all a little different, no Doctor stands out quite as much as Jon Pertwee’s. Those who arrived before him and many who have followed since have leaned into the idea of brains over brawn. The third Doctor, however, liked to use both in equal measure and was a keen practitioner of Venusian aikido.
The character’s physical prowess completely changed the vibe of the show at times, although his personality was not too different from those of his predecessors. That said, his anger and frustration did sometimes get the better of him. The storylines in which he featured weren’t all that great, although fan-favorite characters like Sarah Jane and the Master were introduced during Pertwee’s tenure.
10 The Thirteenth Doctor
Portrayed by Jodie Whittaker
The decision to replace Peter Capaldi with a female Doctor didn’t go down too well with some series fans, although Jodie Whittaker did an excellent job of silencing her critics. Granted, the thirteenth Doctor’s exuberant and kind-hearted personality was in stark contrast to the dour disposition of her predecessor, but it worked just as well most of the time.
Unfortunately, Whittaker was let down by a series of shoddy story arcs, which many feel were missing both the bite and the bravado that fans had come to expect from the New Who era. Whittaker’s last few seasons were some of the most underwhelming since the show’s return in 2005, although her strong performances at least offered fans a silver lining of sorts
9 The First Doctor
Portrayed by William Hartnell
It’s been more than half a century since William Hartnell’s Doctor made his on-screen debut and while he may not be the most memorable Doctor, he just might be the most important. Against all of the odds, Hartnell helped the show build an audience and laid the foundations onto which much of its success has since been built.
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Hartnell’s was a cold and distant Doctor that tended to talk at people rather than to them. What he lacked in personal skills though, he more than made up for with his grandeur and credibility. Future Doctors would go on to fill in some of the gaps, but without that credibility, the show would likely have been canned after just one season.
8 The Fourteenth Doctor
Portrayed by David Tennant
The announcement that David Tennant would be returning as the fourteenth Doctor was met with a certain degree of skepticism; with some believing that the actor was being brought back simply to play on people’s nostalgia and to help steady the ship. However, the sixtieth-anniversary specials showed that Tennant’s Doctor still has a story to tell and offered viewers something that had been missing from the show since its inception all those years ago.
The idea of a version of the Doctor going on to live a (relatively) normal life probably won’t make for captivating television, but for a character who has spent their whole existence fighting evil and keeping the universe safe, it’s nice to see them finally given a chance to rest and live their life like a (relatively) normal person. Moving forward, the fact that they can be brought back into the fold at a moment’s notice should prove interesting too, as there’ll presumably be plenty of opportunities for dual-Doctor escapades.
7 The Ninth Doctor
Portrayed by Christopher Eccleston
Christopher Eccleston’s tenure as the Doctor was a relatively short one, but the actor played a vital role in the revival of a series that, at the time, had not been broadcast regularly for more than 15 years. Rose and Jack certainly helped out with some of the heavy lifting in this regard, but the brunt of the weight was very much on the Doctor himself.
Eccleston’s perhaps wasn’t the most likable Doctor that fans have seen over the years, nor did he offer up the over-the-top campiness that many had come to expect from the character. The grit and volatility that the actor brought to the role perfectly complimented the story arcs in which he featured though and was arguably exactly what the show needed at the time.
6 The Fifth Doctor
Portrayed by Peter Davison
Filling the shoes of Tom Baker was never going to be an easy task, but Peter Davison was a much better fit than some might have expected. His Doctor was defined by his charm and charisma and these are qualities that Davison was able to deliver consistently throughout his three years on the show.
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While the decision to revert to a more serious Doctor may have been seen as a backward step by some, Davison’s tenure also brought with it the return of some of the series’ most iconic antagonists. There were ups and downs, but, considering what was to follow, hindsight suggests that the actor deserves quite a bit of credit for keeping the show afloat.
5 The Eleventh Doctor
Portrayed by Matt Smith
Matt Smith’s Doctor borrows a lot from the character’s fourth iteration, but while both offer a healthy dose of quirkiness, the former arguably does so at the expense of the character’s dignity. During some of the lighter story arcs this isn’t really an issue, but, when the stakes are high, it can sometimes be a little difficult to take the eleventh Doctor too seriously.
Following in the footsteps of David Tennant was always going to be difficult, but Smith’s Doctor arguably falls some way short. He does have his moments, but his zany antics are just far too often at odds with the show’s darker storylines. Much like the fez and the tweed suit, Smith’s interpretation of the character and Stephen Moffat’s writing just did not go well together.
4 The Second Doctor
Portrayed by Patrick Troughton
It took fans a little while to warm to the idea of the Doctor regenerating, just as it took time for Patrick Troughton to grow into the role. As time passed, however, he really made it his own. The second Doctor was incredibly likable and possessed all of the qualities that one might expect to find in a time-traveling hero. Best of all though, he was a lot of fun.
Where the first Doctor was stern and solemn, Troughton’s was kind and caring, which made for a far more relatable character. He still had plenty of larger-than-life moments, but these were expertly balanced out by some wonderfully personable interactions. As a result, he felt like an enthusiastic teacher rather than just another apathetic space cop.
3 The Twelfth Doctor
Portrayed by Peter Capaldi
Peter Capaldi’s Doctor couldn’t have been more different from the one that he replaced and, to many, this came as a breath of fresh air. His stern and serious demeanor may not have been for everyone, but it did provide the character with an air of gravitas that his predecessor just never quite managed to find.
Much like Smith’s tenure as the Doctor, there were highs and lows when it came to Capaldi’s time with the show. “The Doctor Falls” and “World Enough and Time” serve as two of the former, but the twelfth doctor’s finest hour undoubtedly came in the penultimate episode of the ninth series, “Heaven Sent.”
2 The Fourth Doctor
Portrayed by Tom Baker
Tom Baker’s seven-year stint as the Doctor is longer than any other actor’s; either before or since. His Doctor was fairly unorthodox for the era, yet the combination of strange and solemn worked surprisingly well. This in turn led to a noticeable shift in tone for the show; the effects of which can still be seen in modern-day episodes.
With his iconic woolly scarf and wide-brimmed hat, the fourth Doctor embarked upon countless memorable adventures. Some were weird and wacky, while others were a little more serious, but Baker’s performances were consistently assured regardless of what was being asked of him. That Sarah Jane tagged along for many of those escapades made them all the more enjoyable.
1 The Tenth Doctor
Portrayed by David Tennant
For decades, the show has shifted between zany and serious Doctors at fairly regular intervals, but never before has an actor been able to provide such a perfect balance of both. Such is the range and brilliance of David Tennant, however, that he was able to do so consistently for five glorious years.
The story arcs containing the tenth Doctor are also some of the very best to have featured in the modern era of Doctor Who and his relationships with Rose and Donna added a lot more depth to many of them. In the years that have followed Tennant’s departure from the show, no Doctor has even come close to comparing, nor is one likely to in the immediate future.
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