Doctor Who
Summary
Doctor Whohas construe several actor toy the nominal Time Lord , and each performer has added their own spin to the persona , grant the iconic role to change and grow over many decade . The last of the show ’s sixtieth - anniversary specials introduced the fifteenth personification of the Doctor throughthe process of atomic number 83 - coevals , with Ncuti Gatwa being the late actor to fly the TARDIS . While this young Doctor is still misrepresent , it ’s worth see how each previous histrion melded the character .
As of 2023 , there have been15 official incarnations of the Doctor act as by 14 different actors , and several other side by side versions or alternatives . With each personification of the Doctor comes a unexampled personality , brass , and costume . Even thoughDoctor Whoseason 14is sure to see a brilliant Modern Doctor , it ’s of import to note how the fibre has already evolve over the long time since debut in 1963 .
15The First Doctor (William Hartnell)
1963 - 1966
The first ever Dr. , depict by William Hartnell , kickstarted what would become one of television ’s most fabled character . Whilethe First Doctor was well stern and right , he did have some rather dry , comedic moments . Hartnell ’s performance was the starting point for every other re-formation after him , and his on - projection screen chemistry with Carol Ann Ford , who play the Doctor ’s granddaughter , Susan , made the relationship even more credible . It ’s worth noting that the First Doctor ’s characterization was also reflective of its time , with the show airing its first episode back in 1963 , but his grand knowledge and unique quirkiness fix a case law for each future reading .
14The Second Doctor (Patrick Troughton)
1966 - 1969
While it ’s no longer unusual to see the Doctor regenerate , the first instance of this process was a vast shock . Patrick Troughton take over the purpose and became the Second Doctor , travel along Hartnell give to departDoctor Whodue to health issues . Troughton ’s portrayal of the Time Lord wasa lot more lay back than his predecessor , and his use of humor was more accessible and well-disposed — at times , almost clown - same . The Second Doctor saw a shift in personality too , which is why the regeneration process inDoctor Whois so interesting , and Troughton ’s performance was delightfully refreshing , offer a charm that differed from Hartnell ’s .
13The Third Doctor (Jon Pertwee)
1970 - 1974
Jon Pertwee take after as the Third Doctor , bringing with hima more suave and traditionally charming appeal . This could have been deepen even more by the arrival ofDoctor Whoin color in 1970 , with Pertwee ’s first full episode " Spearhead from Space , " although this could also be put down to his already decorated calling in the West oddment . By this point , Doctor Whohad really find its foot in the sci - fi public .
Doctor Whoestablished this new variation of the Doctor with some strange but unique personality traits . Unlike his predecessors , the Third Doctor is best think for his martial arts cognition , and for also being a rather snappy dresser . This Doctor also spend a lot of time on Earth , which really , fully cemented his relationship with the like of the Brigadier ( Nicholas Courtney ) , Jo Grant ( Katy Manning ) , and by and by on , Sarah Jane Smith ( Elisabeth Sladen ) .
12The Fourth Doctor (Tom Baker)
1974 - 1981
Tom Baker ’s Fourth Doctor is well think of for his famous catchphrase , " Would you wish a jelly baby ? " and iconic scarf joint , which has been continuously referenced in the show to this Clarence Day . Baker ’s portrayal of the Time Lord was interlace with silliness and sincerity , with the power to switch tone at the drop of a hat . Although his alteration in tone was sometimes jarring , it also made the Doctor more interesting . More so than former incarnations , this Doctor was the most foreign translation of the character . Tom Baker , as of 2023 , was the longest - running Doctor of the show , playing the character for seven years and as many seasons .
11The Fifth Doctor (Peter Davison)
1982 - 1984
Tom Baker was succeeded by Peter Davison , whose performance of the Fifth Doctor brought a more humanist scene to the otherwise foreign graphic symbol . Over the various personification , the Doctor became more tolerant of human race , butthis version of the Time Lord was truly the most human beings - well-disposed . At the metre , Davison was the youngest mortal to diddle the Doctor , at only 29 years honest-to-god . This Doctor was subtler , too , and while still headstrong , was also more of a thorough creative thinker . His emotional second were also attractively impactful , a notable model being the Fifth Doctor ’s solemn but grievous response to the death of his companion Adric ( Matthew Waterhouse ) .
Fifth Doctor comrade Adric died saving the Earth from Cybermen . After 40 years , Doctor Who finally put some esteem on Adric ’s name .
10The Sixth Doctor (Colin Baker)
1984 - 1986
The Sixth Doctor saw Colin Baker take over the theatrical role . The second Baker to play the Time Lord , he brought with him a loud and bright portrayal , both in personality and costuming . While the change in rate for the Doctor hear some mixed reception from viewers , it take into account for a new slant on him that had n’t been in full explored previously . The Sixth physician was rather crude and bordered on rude at times , which affected his relationship with Peri ( Nicola Bryant ) , whom he ’d been close with in his Fifth avatar .
Peri ’s time with the Sixth Doctor as he settle into his new physical structure was quite laboured to start , specially as Baker ’s first episode saw him strangling his comrade . Over time , Peri finally got used to his new personality , and he slowly softened a fleck . While the Sixth Doctor resist out for his abrasiveness , Baker ’s characterization of the Time Lord was unique for its own intellect , much like his herald .
9The Seventh Doctor (Sylvester McCoy)
1987 - 1989, 1996
For the Doctor ’s seventh embodiment , the role was handed over to Sylvester McCoy . His rendition of the Doctor saw him take a teacher - like part , especially with comrade Ace ( Sophie Alred).He also had a brilliant way of life of using slapstick humor , and while this Doctor was rather comedic , he was able-bodied to use that in his party favour . When he involve to be , the Seventh Doctor could be quite calculating , and his quirky personality was a smart as a whip cover for those moments . Out of all the medico , this version is easily the one that villains underestimated the most , which could be because of his interesting appearance , almost always armed with an umbrella .
8The Eighth Doctor (Paul McGann)
1996, 2013
While the Eighth Doctor , played by Paul McGann , only star in theDoctor Who1996 flick , his portrayal of the Time Lord is just as important as any other . Seven yr after the show ’s cancelation in 1989 , McGann ’s Doctor replaced McCoy , who made a brief cameo in the picture . In McGann ’s first appearance , the Doctor was half - human , but this was retconned , andthe Time Lord make full more of the traditional torpedo role .
This was also the first instance wherethe Doctor was in good order acknowledge as a romantic being , something that was seen a lot more in the post-2005 reboot . Although the moving picture was n’t the most successful , the Eighth Doctor featured in many of the Big Finish audio dramas . McGann also reprize his part for the fiftieth - anniversary prequel short " The Night of the physician , " which saw him regenerate in expectation of his role in the Time War .
Paul McGann arouse great controversy as the Eighth Doctor , but 27 years after the fact , Doctor Who is still following the divisive precedent he position .
7The Ninth Doctor (Christopher Eccleston)
2005
AfterDoctor Whowas rebooted in 2005 , Christopher Eccleston played the Ninth Doctor . Although he only bind around for one season , his performance was brilliant and impactful . The Ninth Doctor had a brilliant portmanteau of airheaded and serious , although overall it was a comparatively ground interpretation of the Time Lord . Much like Tom Baker , Eccleston ’s part chop-chop shifted in timbre , which could be put down to the Doctor being traumatize post - Time War . Even though he was quite jaded at time , opening his hearts back up to the like of companions Rose ( Billie Piper ) and Jack ( John Barrowman ) let the Doctor to see the beauty in the universe once again .
6The Tenth & Fourteenth Doctors (David Tennant)
2005 - 2010, 2013, 2023
David Tennant was thelongest - run actor to play the Doctorin the show ’s post-2005 era , with the Tenth Dr. bringing along a adept collection of brilliant , diverse companions with him . Tennant ’s performance of the Doctor was charming and a small mo cheeky , but he also had his glowering moments , specially as theTime Lord Victorious . Tennant ’s Tenth Doctor can well be considered one of the best version of the Time Lord , so much so that he also come along in a two - part story in the spinoffThe Sarah Jane Adventuresand returned for the 50th - anniversary special " The Day of the Doctor . "
Tennant then also returned to play the Fourteenth Doctor for theDoctor Who60th - anniversary special , and while exchangeable to Ten , he had his own difference . The Fourteenth Doctor was a little more stern and put together , which was mainly because he reflected on the past , and the champion he had drop off since he ’d last been in that body . However , the two did have their similarities , such as their comedic feel , as well as their ability to brood and dwell on their previous life a small too much .
