Best Doctor Who Villains: the Daleks and Jon Pertwee
(Image credit: BBC)
For over six decades, the iconic blue box of Doctor Who has graced our screens, becoming a global symbol of British television and science fiction. Across more than 870 episodes, fifteen incarnations of the Doctor, countless companions, and that singular TARDIS have explored the vastness of space and time. But a hero is only as compelling as their adversaries, and the Doctor has faced a rogues’ gallery of truly unforgettable villains.
From monstrous machines to insidious alien races, the Doctor’s enemies are as varied and imaginative as the universe itself. Each Doctor has confronted their own nightmares, battling evil across galaxies and throughout history. This list celebrates the most memorable, terrifying, and downright evil villains to ever challenge the Time Lord. Consider this your guide to the ultimate Doctor Who Villains, a curated selection of the top eleven baddies from the Whoniverse. While the Doctor’s list of foes is extensive, these are our definitive picks for the most iconic and impactful.
If you’re interested in more Doctor Who rankings, you might also enjoy our breakdowns of the Doctor Who Doctors, ranked and the Doctor Who companions, ranked. And for those looking to the future, we’ve even speculated on who should be the next Doctor Who, as Jodie Whittaker’s era concludes.
11. The Autons
Best Doctor Who Villains: the Autons
(Image credit: BBC)
- First Appearance: “Spearhead from Space” (Season 7, Episode 1)
- First Broadcast: January 3, 1970
Marking a significant moment as the first villains to be introduced in color, the Autons debuted against Jon Pertwee’s Third Doctor in “Spearhead from Space” in 1970. These seemingly innocuous life-size plastic dummies are puppets controlled by the malevolent Nestene Consciousness. Their chillingly mundane disguise as shop window mannequins makes them particularly unsettling, as seen in the 2005 episode “Rose,” where Rose Tyler encounters them in a department store.
While the concept of killer plastic might sound slightly absurd, the Autons are genuinely frightening when activated. Their blank, emotionless faces and jerky movements create a disturbing effect. The Nestene Consciousness, a disembodied alien intelligence, adds a layer of cosmic horror to their threat. Interestingly, Autons aren’t always villains. The Eleventh Doctor’s companion, Rory Williams, famously spent nearly two millennia as an Auton clone, faithfully guarding the Pandorica, showcasing a more complex side to these plastic automatons.
10. Ood
Ood
(Image credit: BBC)
- First Appearance: “The Impossible Planet” (Season 2, Episode 8)
- First Broadcast: June 3, 2006
Instantly recognizable for their distinctive squid-like appearance and gentle nature, the Ood occupy a unique space among Doctor Who villains. These telepathic beings communicate through external brains, handheld orbs connected to their bodies via tentacles. Their inherent peacefulness sets them apart from many other adversaries the Doctor faces.
However, this tranquility is also their vulnerability. The Ood are susceptible to telepathic control and possession by stronger psychic entities, turning them into unwilling instruments of violence. This tragic manipulation of their peaceful nature makes them compelling figures. Since their debut in 2006, the Ood have become a recurring and easily identifiable race within the Doctor Who universe, particularly popular with younger audiences due to their memorable design and frequent appearances. Their story serves as a poignant reminder of the exploitation of the innocent.
9. The Empty Child
Best Doctor Who Villains: the Empty Child
(Image credit: BBC)
- First Appearance: “The Empty Child” (Season 1, Episode 9)
- First Broadcast: May 21, 2005
The Empty Child stands out as a chilling and deeply unsettling figure who is, ironically, not truly a villain in the traditional sense. This gas-mask-wearing boy doesn’t seek world domination or universal power; his sole, haunting desire is to find his “mummy.” Set in Blitz-era London, the Doctor and Rose encounter a city terrorized not just by war, but by gas mask-faced figures in a hospital and a wandering child who transforms others into zombie-like beings, all while uttering the now-iconic and deeply creepy phrase, “Are you my mummy?”
The episode “The Empty Child” and its conclusion “The Doctor Dances” are pivotal for introducing key elements to the Doctor Who mythos. It marks the first appearance of Captain Jack Harkness, a fan-favorite character, and is written by Steven Moffat, who would later become the showrunner, shaping the series for years to come. The Empty Child’s horror lies in its blend of childlike innocence with terrifying consequences, making it a uniquely memorable and emotionally resonant antagonist.
8. Torchwood
Best Doctor Who: villains: Torchwood
(Image credit: BBC)
- First Appearance: “Army of Ghosts” (Season 2, Episode 12)
- First Broadcast: July 1, 2006
It’s easy to forget that Torchwood, the organization that spawned its own successful Doctor Who spin-off series and expanded the Whoniverse, began as a formidable threat to the Doctor himself. Introduced during the Tenth Doctor’s era with David Tennant and Rose Tyler, Torchwood initially presented itself as an organization dedicated to defending Earth from alien threats. However, their methods were often ethically questionable and their secrecy bred mistrust.
In “Army of Ghosts,” Torchwood’s London headquarters, Torchwood One, becomes a battleground when infiltrated by Cybermen seeking escape from the Void. The situation escalates dramatically with the unexpected arrival of a Dalek Void-ship carrying the Cult of Skaro. Torchwood One ultimately falls amidst the chaos, along with the Cybermen and Daleks involved. However, Torchwood Three, based in Cardiff, Wales, evolves into a crucial ally under the leadership of Captain Jack Harkness, demonstrating Torchwood’s complex journey from antagonist to integral part of the Doctor Who universe.
7. Slitheen
Slitheen
(Image credit: BBC)
- First Appearance: “Aliens of London” (Season 1, Episode 4)
- First Broadcast: April 16, 2005
While perhaps not the most terrifying Doctor Who villains on this list, the Slitheen are undeniably among the most recognizable, particularly for younger generations of fans who grew up with the revived series. These green-skinned, gaseous aliens made their debut in 2005, marking the return of Doctor Who to television, and have since become recurring antagonists.
The Slitheen hail from Raxacoricofallapatorius (Slitheen being their family name, not species), a planet known for its criminal element. They are trained killers who infiltrate Earth by murdering humans and using compression technology to shrink themselves and wear their victims’ skins as disguises. A telltale sign of their disguise is their sideways blinking eyelids, a detail that adds a touch of grotesque humor to their otherwise menacing presence. Despite their somewhat comical elements, the Slitheen are cunning and ruthless, posing a significant threat in their early appearances and beyond.
6. The Loch Ness Monster
Best Doctor Who Villains: Loch Nes Monster
(Image credit: BBC)
- First Appearance: “Terror of the Zygons” (Season 13, Episode 2)
- First Broadcast: August 30, 1975
The legendary Loch Ness Monster takes a decidedly Doctor Who twist, revealed to be an augmented cyborg sea monster created by the shape-shifting Zygons. In “Terror of the Zygons,” this iconic creature, known as the Skarasen, is unveiled as a key component of the Zygons’ plan to conquer Earth after their homeworld is destroyed. The Skarasen, grown to gigantic proportions, is intended to terraform Earth for the Zygons.
The Fourth Doctor, portrayed by Tom Baker, along with beloved companions Sarah Jane Smith (Elizabeth Sladen) and Harry Sullivan (Ian Marter), confronts the Zygon invasion and ultimately thwarts their plans, saving Earth from becoming a new Zygon planet. The Loch Ness Monster’s inclusion as a Doctor Who villain brilliantly blends real-world myths with science fiction, adding a unique and memorable element to the show’s rogues’ gallery.
5. Sontarans
Best Doctor Who Villains: Sontarans
(Image credit: BBC)
- First Appearance: “The Time Warrior” (Season 11, Episode 1)
- First Broadcast: December 15, 1973
Resembling “warrior potatoes,” the Sontarans are a race of clones bred solely for war, and they pose a threat far exceeding their comical appearance. Round, brown, and undeniably stout, these militaristic aliens first appeared in 1973 against Jon Pertwee’s Third Doctor and Sarah Jane Smith. Since then, they have become a persistent menace throughout Doctor Who history, even featuring a Sontaran, Strax, as an unlikely ally and companion to the Eleventh and Twelfth Doctors.
The Doctor often highlights their strategically amusing weakness: a probic vent on the back of their necks, requiring them to always face their enemies head-on. This design flaw, intended to encourage bravery, also provides a critical vulnerability. A fun piece of Doctor Who trivia: Kevin Lindsay, who played Linx, the first Sontaran, pronounced their name as son-TAR-an on set. Despite correction from director Alan Bromly to emphasize SON-taran, Lindsay famously quipped, “Since I’m from the place, I should know,” adding a touch of behind-the-scenes humor to these formidable villains.
4. The Weeping Angels
The Weeping Angels
(Image credit: BBC)
- First Appearance: “Blink” (Season 3, Episode 10)
- First Broadcast: June 9, 2007
For many viewers, particularly younger ones, the Weeping Angels are among the most genuinely terrifying Doctor Who villains. These menacing, statue-like humanoids possess a unique and deeply unsettling ability: they can only move when unobserved, freezing into stone when looked at, even during blinking. This terrifying concept plays on the principles of quantum physics and the observer effect, reminiscent of Schrödinger’s cat, but with deadly consequences.
Mercifully, the Angels’ “kill” is not always fatal in the traditional sense. They often send their victims back in time to live out their lives in the past, effectively removing them from the present and feeding on the potential energy of their lost time. First appearing in the acclaimed episode “Blink” in 2007, and returning in subsequent episodes, these chilling statues have left a lasting impression, solidifying their place as truly frightening Doctor Who monsters for audiences of all ages.
3. The Cybermen
Best Doctor Who Villains: the Cybermen
(Image credit: BBC)
- First Appearance: “The Tenth Planet” (Season 4, Serial 2)
- First Broadcast: October 8, 1966
Dating back to 1966, the Cybermen are classic Doctor Who villains, appearing in the final serial of the First Doctor, William Hartnell. While their initial design might appear rudimentary by today’s standards – early versions featured tumble dryer tubing – they have evolved into a relentlessly formidable adversary over the decades. The Cybermen are driven by a chillingly logical goal: to “upgrade” all life in the universe by converting organic beings into emotionless, cybernetic versions of themselves.
Across countless universes, timelines, and regenerations of the Doctor, the Cybermen have persisted. They have undergone numerous redesigns, from steam-powered behemoths to sleek, arthropod-like forms, yet their core threat remains constant and terrifying. Their relentless pursuit of conversion and their chillingly monotone pronouncements of “upgrade” have cemented their status as one of the Doctor’s most iconic and enduring foes.
2. The Daleks
Best Doctor Who Villains: the Daleks and Jon Pertwee
(Image credit: BBC)
- First Appearance: “The Daleks” (Season 1, Serial 2)
- First Broadcast: December 21, 1963
Unquestionably, the Daleks are a perennial threat to the Doctor, and uniquely, they are the only villains to have confronted every single incarnation of the Time Lord. Their iconic metallic shells, screeching voices, and deadly “plunger of death” weapons are instantly recognizable and have solidified their place as one of the most iconic alien races in all of science fiction.
Introduced in 1963, writer Terry Nation conceived the Daleks as a thinly veiled allegory for Nazis: violent, merciless, and driven by a fanatical belief in their own racial superiority. While early Daleks were famously hampered by stairs, modern iterations can levitate, devastate planets, and, of course, exterminate with ruthless efficiency. Their enduring popularity and constant return make them not just iconic Doctor Who villains, but cornerstones of the entire series.
1. The Master
Best Doctor Who Villains: the Master
(Image credit: BBC)
- First Appearance: “Terror of the Autons” (Season 8, Serial 1)
- First Broadcast: January 2, 1971
More than just a villain, the Master is the Doctor’s ultimate nemesis, a twisted mirror image and a corrupted Time Lord counterpart. An old friend turned foe, the Master has plagued the Doctor throughout multiple regenerations and across countless schemes. Like the Doctor, the Master has repeatedly cheated death, regenerating in various forms, from Roger Delgado’s classic mustachioed villain to Michelle Gomez’s chaotic and enigmatic Missy.
The Master is the Moriarty to the Doctor’s Sherlock Holmes, a brilliant, chaotic, and deeply personal adversary. While the Doctor faces countless monstrous aliens, the Master represents a more profound and psychologically complex threat, a dark reflection of the Doctor’s own potential. Legendary actor Derek Jacobi’s portrayal of Professor Yana, the Master’s human guise, was electrifying, culminating in a dramatic reveal and transformation. Ultimately, for all the cosmic horrors the Doctor confronts, the Master, in all their incarnations, remains the Doctor’s greatest and most compelling foe.
These are our top choices for the best Doctor Who villains of all time, each defeated by the Doctor’s intellect, compassion, and, often, the bravery of a human companion.
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Bobby Wells
Bobby is a Freelance Copywriter who has contributed to Space.com and Top Ten Reviews. He has been writing since his teenage years, working across diverse media, including education, travel, fitness, and retail. Bobby’s passions include fiction writing (Fantasy, Horror, and Cosmic Fiction), woodworking, and spending time with his Romanian rescue dog, Garnet. He is often found exploring the Scottish Highlands or the New Forest in southern England with Garnet.
