For devoted fans of Doctor Who, ranking the Doctors is a cherished, albeit contentious, pastime. With Ncuti Gatwa’s fresh take on the iconic Time Lord captivating audiences in the latest Christmas special, it’s the perfect moment to delve into a comprehensive ranking. We’re revisiting each regeneration of the Doctor to determine who truly embodied the role best, acknowledging that personal favorites often hinge on individual entry points to the show, appreciation for specific eras, and those wonderfully unpredictable Whovian whims.
19. Richard Hurndall (Classic Series, “The Five Doctors” 20th Anniversary Special)
Richard Hurndall as the First Doctor in Doctor Who
(Photo by ©BBC)
Key Traits: Proclaiming himself “the original” Doctor. Defining Moment: His calculated, almost manipulative, act of seemingly betraying his fellow incarnations for personal gain within the anniversary special.
Placing Richard Hurndall at the bottom feels somewhat unfair, as he faced an almost insurmountable challenge: stepping into the shoes of William Hartnell, the original Doctor, for the 20th-anniversary special, “The Five Doctors.” Tasked with recreating a beloved performance rather than forging his own distinct Doctor, Hurndall’s interpretation was further complicated by the limited availability of Hartnell’s early episodes in the BBC archives during the 1980s. This scarcity meant Hurndall had to rely on the First Doctor’s more readily apparent, irascible characteristics. The gentler, more compassionate facets of Hartnell’s Doctor, crucial to the character’s early appeal, were largely absent in Hurndall’s portrayal, though fleeting moments of warmth do emerge in his interactions with Susan Foreman (Carole Ann Ford), the Doctor’s granddaughter. While his performance served its purpose in 1983, it has arguably diminished in impact over time. As access to Hartnell’s era expanded and David Bradley offered another interpretation of the First Doctor, Hurndall’s version, through no fault of his own, became the least defined and impactful on screen.
18. David Bradley (An Adventure in Space and Time, New Series, “Twice Upon a Time” & “The Power of The Doctor”)
David Bradley portraying the First Doctor in Doctor Who
(Photo by Simon Ridgway/©BBC America)
Key Traits: Famously critical of his future self’s reliance on gadgets. Defining Moment: His poignant embrace of the inevitable regeneration cycle, paving the way for his twelfth and thirteenth incarnations.
David Bradley, like Hurndall, undertook the daunting role of portraying the First Doctor. However, Bradley benefited from his prior experience playing William Hartnell himself in An Adventure in Space and Time, a biographical drama chronicling the genesis of Doctor Who. This prior immersion in Hartnell’s persona allowed Bradley to craft a First Doctor in “Twice Upon a Time” that resonated more deeply with Hartnell’s original performance while still incorporating his own nuanced interpretations. Bradley’s First Doctor is depicted nearing the end of his life, lending a fragility to his portrayal unseen in Hurndall’s. This vulnerability allowed the softer, more endearing aspects of the original Doctor to shine through, even as Steven Moffat’s script playfully, perhaps even hyperbolically, highlighted some of Hartnell’s Doctor’s perceived 1960s-era chauvinistic tendencies. Despite these potentially anachronistic critiques, Bradley’s take is generally well-received, and his returns in “Twice Upon a Time” and Jodie Whittaker’s finale, “The Power of The Doctor,” were warmly welcomed. His lower ranking on this list stems from his limited screen time as the Doctor proper and the fact that his portrayal is inherently an interpretation rather than a primary incarnation.
17. Peter Davison (Classic Series, Seasons 19-21)
Peter Davison as the Fifth Doctor in Doctor Who
(Photo by BBC)
Key Traits: Sporting a sprig of celery on his lapel; a noticeable breathlessness. Defining Moment: His pivotal role in uniting past selves to confront and defeat his former mentor in “The Five Doctors.”
Peter Davison inherited the role of the Doctor after Tom Baker’s monumental seven-year tenure, a truly unenviable task. Simultaneously juggling roles in popular BBC series All Creatures Great and Small and Sink or Swim, Davison’s era was marked by creative challenges. A perceived lack of narrative ambition from the writing team and a producer aiming for a more stage-bound aesthetic arguably hampered his run. While Davison’s Fifth Doctor, evident in stories like “The Arc of Infinity” and “The Five Doctors,” reveals a more sensitive and introspective Time Lord, the often-lackluster scripts and overly bright studio sets created an unfortunately unremarkable backdrop for his performance. Despite Davison’s inherent charm and affability, the Fifth Doctor’s era is often considered one of the less compelling periods of Doctor Who.
16. Colin Baker (Classic Series, Seasons 21-23)
Colin Baker as the Sixth Doctor in Doctor Who
(Photo by BBC)
Key Traits: Questionable fashion sense, a pronounced fondness for his own voice. Defining Moment: His understated yet powerful dismay upon learning of companion Peri’s (Nicola Bryant) tragic demise, orchestrated by Time Lord machinations in “The Trial of a Time Lord.”
Colin Baker’s Sixth Doctor was conceived as a deliberate departure from the more humanistic Fifth Doctor, intended to recapture the original’s curmudgeonly and abrasive personality. Emerging from a turbulent regeneration, the Sixth Doctor’s initial actions included attempting to strangle his companion and adopting a truly garish, multi-colored coat – a costume choice still debated among fans as a sartorial misstep. The actor’s intention, reportedly, was to allow the Doctor to mellow and rediscover his humanity over time. However, audiences at the time reacted negatively to the Sixth Doctor’s unpleasant demeanor, a sentiment that the BBC seemingly exploited to justify placing the show on an 18-month hiatus. Doctor Who returned with the ambitious “The Trial of a Time Lord” storyline, but the narrative arc ultimately served to prematurely conclude Colin Baker’s time as the Doctor, cementing his era as one of the most controversial and shortest in the show’s history.
15. William Hartnell (Classic Series, Seasons 1-4)
William Hartnell as the First Doctor in Doctor Who
(Photo by BBC)
Key Traits: Occasional line flubs, a quick temper. Defining Moment: His poignant farewell to his granddaughter, Susan, in “The Dalek Invasion of Earth,” remains a landmark moment of emotional depth in Doctor Who’s history.
Despite being the originator, William Hartnell’s First Doctor stands distinct from all subsequent incarnations. Initially conceived as a foil to the series’ original focus on his companions, the early First Doctor is often portrayed as irritable, self-centered, and even callous. As the original companions departed and the Doctor moved to the forefront, his rough edges gradually softened, revealing a growing affection for Earth. Retrospectively, the initial seasons of Doctor Who trace the First Doctor’s evolving love for humanity, but the slower pacing of the narratives and the limitations of 1960s production values can make many of his stories challenging for modern viewers. While Hartnell’s performance is often charming and engaging, it undeniably represents a very different iteration of Doctor Who, one that prioritizes historical and educational elements alongside the nascent science fiction adventures.
14. Jodie Whittaker (New Series, Seasons 11-13)
Jodie Whittaker as the Thirteenth Doctor in Doctor Who
(Photo by BBC America)
Key Traits: Famously referring to her companions as her “fam.” Defining Moment: Her complex and somewhat convoluted method of overcoming the Master’s manipulation of the Matrix on Gallifrey, culminating in a rather perplexing stream of consciousness.
Following Peter Capaldi’s more austere and grandfatherly Doctor, Jodie Whittaker arrived with a burst of youthful energy and a rapid-fire delivery reminiscent of some of the more whimsical Doctors. However, overt clowning wasn’t truly the Thirteenth Doctor’s defining characteristic. While she embraced fun and often got lost in her own verbose thought processes, a deep well of passion and empathy underpinned this Doctor’s adventures. Her near-constant travels with the same core trio of companions suggested a greater need for familial connection than perhaps any previous incarnation. This close-knit support system proved crucial given the profound and unsettling revelations about her past that unfolded during her tenure. Unfortunately, the writing during Whittaker’s era was often inconsistent, resulting in a character that felt somewhat underdeveloped and muddled compared to her potential. Despite these narrative shortcomings, Whittaker consistently imbued the Thirteenth Doctor with a warm smile and genuine care, qualities deeply integral to the Doctor’s enduring appeal.
13. Ncuti Gatwa (Disney+ Series, Seasons 1-2)
Ncuti Gatwa as the Fifteenth Doctor in Doctor Who
(Photo by Disney+)
Key Traits: Frequent and stylish costume changes. Defining Moment: The heart-wrenching realization in “Dot and Bubble” that he is powerless to help a community blinded by prejudice against anyone different.
Ncuti Gatwa’s arrival as the Fifteenth Doctor, following David Tennant’s brief Fourteenth Doctor interlude, was unconventional, debuting in the 60th-anniversary special, “The Giggle,” and continuing forward. He embodies a rarer Doctor archetype: the Dandy, but presents it in a manner distinctly different from Jon Pertwee’s Third Doctor, with “fashion” being the most immediately apparent divergence. While Pertwee favored a consistent, if colorfully varied, style, Gatwa’s Doctor embraces a more fluid approach, selecting outfits that complement the TARDIS’s destinations. Beyond his sartorial choices, Gatwa’s Doctor is notably more emotionally expressive, displaying a vulnerability and sensitivity, often near tears, throughout his initial season. This emotional depth is arguably a consequence of grappling with the Thirteenth Doctor’s discoveries about their mysterious origins, framing the Doctor as an “orphan” adopted by the Time Lords of Gallifrey. This results in a Doctor who often leads with his heart rather than his head, navigating stories under the returning showrunner Russell T. Davies, with varying degrees of narrative success. Interestingly, the first season’s standout episode, “73 Yards,” paradoxically features the Doctor in a remarkably limited role. With only ten episodes of the Fifteenth Doctor currently available (and an eleventh forthcoming), the long-term trajectory of Gatwa’s emotionally resonant and dandyish Doctor remains to be seen, and his ultimate ranking will solidify as his tenure unfolds.
12. Christopher Eccleston (New Series, Season 1)
Christopher Eccleston as the Ninth Doctor in Doctor Who
(Photo by BBC America)
Key Traits: A tragically short tenure, his enthusiastic exclamation of “fantastic!” Defining Moment: His resolute declaration to rescue Rose Tyler (Billie Piper) and confront the Daleks in the climactic “The Parting of the Ways.”
The primary limitation of Christopher Eccleston’s Ninth Doctor is simply that we were granted so little time with him. An untimely BBC press release prematurely announced his departure shortly before the revived series premiered. Compounding matters, the series struggled to secure a US broadcaster until after Eccleston had left the role. Furthermore, the first season itself was still finding its footing, oscillating between profound explorations of the Doctor’s PTSD and more whimsical, even farcical, storylines. Throughout this turbulent season, the Ninth Doctor is a whirlwind of manic energy, grinning intensely as he hurtles from one crisis to the next, Rose Tyler firmly by his side. His single season offers a tantalizing glimpse of what Eccleston could have achieved had he remained for the typical three-year tenure. As has become clearer in recent years, the demanding production environment contributed to his decision to leave, though he has thankfully revisited the role in Big Finish audio dramas, offering fans more adventures with his compelling Doctor.
11. John Hurt (New Series, 50th Anniversary Specials “The Day of The Doctor,” “The Time of The Doctor”)
John Hurt as the War Doctor in Doctor Who
(Photo by BBC America)
Key Traits: Bearing the immense weight of the Time War, a practical and efficient use of the sonic screwdriver. Defining Moment: His profound relief upon realizing he is no longer destined to destroy Gallifrey in “The Day of The Doctor.”
Perhaps ranking the War Doctor is inherently unfair, given his limited appearances solely within the 50th-anniversary special and “The Time of The Doctor.” Yet, John Hurt’s portrayal of this previously unknown incarnation is nothing short of captivating. Early storyboards initially envisioned Eccleston’s Doctor as the one responsible for Gallifrey’s destruction. However, Eccleston’s understandable reluctance to return led to the creation of the War Doctor, a secret regeneration within the Doctor’s timeline. Hurt masterfully embodies the qualities one would expect from the Doctor at his absolute lowest point, carrying the burden of unimaginable decisions. Drawing upon elements of past Doctors, from Hartnell’s grumpiness to Davison’s vulnerability, the War Doctor serves as a powerful avatar of the classic series Doctors within the grand spectacle of Doctor Who’s anniversary celebrations.
10. Jo Martin (New Series, Season 12 Episodes “The Fugitive of the Judoon,” “The Timeless Children”)
Jo Martin as the Fugitive Doctor in Doctor Who season 12
(Photo by James Pardon/BBC Studios/BBC America)
Key Traits: Appearing unexpectedly, defying expectations. Defining Moment: Her assertive declaration to the Thirteenth Doctor (Whittaker) that her favorite part of any encounter is proclaiming, “I am The Doctor.”
Jo Martin’s surprise debut as Ruth Clayton, a seemingly ordinary Gloucester tour guide who shockingly revealed herself to be a previously unknown incarnation of the Doctor, sent shockwaves through the Doctor Who fandom. This “Fugitive Doctor,” seemingly erased from history by the Time Lords and the Doctor’s own mind, possesses a self-assured swagger that, in other incarnations, might be perceived as misplaced bravado. Here, it amplifies one of the most resolutely confident and steely-eyed versions of the character ever witnessed. Concepts like “Time’s Champion” and “Time Lord Triumphant” gain new resonance when considering the possibility of the Fugitive Doctor’s influence subtly shaping her successors. Despite limited screen time, the Fugitive Doctor left an indelible mark, creating a fervent desire among viewers for season 12 to pivot entirely to the Thirteenth Doctor’s quest to unravel this forgotten chapter of her past.
9. David Tennant (The 60th Anniversary Specials)
Key Traits: Strikingly resembling a previous incarnation. Defining Moment: Reconnecting with former companion Melanie Bush (Bonnie Langford) at UNIT and later at a lavish Noble family garden party, showcasing a blend of familiarity and subtle change.
As the Fourteenth Doctor is presented as a distinct and genuine incarnation, unlike the “10.5” Doctor of “Journey’s End” and the 2009 specials, David Tennant rightfully earns his place on this list, albeit positioned lower due to his brief three-special tenure. Reconstituted into a familiar form and persona for still-unclear reasons, the Fourteenth Doctor bears a strong resemblance to the Tenth Doctors, yet subtle nuances distinguish him. He readily expresses love for people, a declaration that both Tenth Doctors demonstrably struggled with. He also embodies a Doctor in retreat, weary from centuries of profound experiences. Consequently, he often deflects from his inner turmoil, relying on his “allons-y” catchphrase as a coping mechanism to avoid confronting difficult emotions and simply embrace adventure. For now, he embarks on a timey-wimey, albeit slow, path to recovery, residing with Donna while his subsequent incarnation explores the cosmos. The possibility of Tennant reprising the role remains open, a prospect eagerly anticipated by his devoted fanbase.
8. Sylvester McCoy (Classic Series, Seasons 24-26)
Sylvester McCoy as the Seventh Doctor in Doctor Who
(Photo by BBC)
Key Traits: Playing the spoons, a distinctive Panama hat. Defining Moment: His chillingly composed act of offering the Daleks the very means of their own destruction in their final classic series appearance, “Remembrance of the Daleks.”
Initially presented as a somewhat clownish and whimsical figure, Sylvester McCoy’s Seventh Doctor underwent a remarkable transformation, evolving into a master manipulator by the classic series’ final season. Capable of immense warmth and nurturing one moment, the Seventh Doctor could turn on even his closest allies if it served his intricate long-term strategies. McCoy visually reflected this shift in the final season with a darker costume and a deepened vocal tone, suggesting a Doctor far older and more alien than previously imagined. Sadly, these intriguing concepts were never fully explored as Doctor Who entered its prolonged hiatus, leaving McCoy’s Doctor as a tantalizingly underdeveloped figure in the show’s mythology.
7. Paul McGann (The TV Movie)
Paul McGann as the Eighth Doctor in Doctor Who
(Photo by BBC)
Key Traits: Romantic inclinations, the controversial line about being “half-human on his mother’s side.” Defining Moment: His poignant remembrance of his companions in the mini-episode “The Night of The Doctor,” bridging the gap to his regeneration.
Unlike Eccleston and Hurt, Paul McGann’s brief on-screen tenure as the Doctor paradoxically led to a lasting association with the character and fueled enduring “what if” scenarios surrounding Doctor Who’s trajectory. Conceived as part of a 1996 attempt to revitalize the series for American audiences, McGann’s Doctor was consciously designed to possess a romantic appeal, a dimension he portrayed with captivating brilliance. While his TV movie is widely considered one of Doctor Who’s weakest installments, it showcased an engaging, intelligent, and vulnerable Doctor who deserved a weekly series. McGann expanded upon the Eighth Doctor’s character through numerous audio adventures, culminating in his celebrated return in the short prequel scene, “The Night of The Doctor,” finally granting him a regeneration sequence on screen.
6. David Tennant (New Series, Seasons 2-4)
David Tennant as the Tenth Doctor in Doctor Who
(Photo by BBC America)
Key Traits: Romantic relationships (with companions of both genders), the iconic “wibbley-wobbly, timey-wimey” explanation of time. Defining Moment: His fierce resolve while punishing the Family of Blood, beings who forced him to confront his Time Lord nature in “The Family of Blood.”
The most widely popular of the new series Doctors, David Tennant’s Tenth Doctor benefited from some of the most critically acclaimed scripts in the show’s extensive history. From “School Reunion” to “Blink” to the emotional climax of “Journey’s End,” the Tenth Doctor revealed previously unexplored depths of the Doctor’s psyche, most notably his profound fear of regeneration and the loss of his “Tennant-ness.” He fulfilled the romantic potential initially hinted at with McGann, taking it to new heights with his distinctive long coat and slender physique. Building upon Eccleston’s weariness, he became “the man who regrets,” leaving behind a legion of fans who lamented his departure and continue to celebrate his era as a golden age of Doctor Who.
5. Jon Pertwee (Classic Series, Seasons 7-11)
Jon Pertwee as the Third Doctor in Doctor Who
(Photo by BBC)
Key Traits: Velvet jackets, a penchant for conjuring tricks. Defining Moment: Sharing a childhood anecdote to comfort his companion in the face of fear in “The Time Monster,” revealing a glimpse of vulnerability beneath his confident exterior.
Theatrical, dandyish, yet surprisingly controlled, Jon Pertwee utilized the role of the Third Doctor to shed his variety entertainer persona and deliver a remarkably straight performance. In his era, the Doctor transformed into a patrician hero. Exiled to Earth by the Time Lords and initially restricted from time travel, he found a surrogate family within the United Nations Intelligence Taskforce (UNIT). His frequent clashes with UNIT personnel only underscored his unwavering dedication to truth and a deeply ingrained sense of justice. Simultaneously, his enthusiasm for gadgets and specialized vehicles, like his beloved Bessie and Who-mobile, mirrored Pertwee’s own personality, seamlessly blending the actor and the character.
4. Peter Capaldi (New Series, Seasons 8-10)
Peter Capaldi as the Twelfth Doctor in Doctor Who
(Photo by BBC America)
Key Traits: Distinct Scottish accent, his commanding and often-repeated instruction to “shut up.” Defining Moment: His poignant self-description in “Death in Heaven”: “I’m an idiot in a box, passing through, helping out, learning,” encapsulating the Doctor’s core nature.
Peter Capaldi’s Twelfth Doctor presented an imposing figure, representing the show’s successful return to a regeneration reminiscent of Hartnell’s original incarnation. Often as cantankerous and imposing as the First Doctor, and as occasionally self-absorbed as the Sixth, Capaldi also embodied what happens when a lifelong Doctor Who devotee, also an Oscar-winning actor, takes command of the TARDIS. While some storylines during his tenure proved uneven, Capaldi’s performance remained consistently captivating, offering a welcome return to a more unpredictable and even unsettling Doctor, reminding audiences of the character’s inherent alienness.
3. Matt Smith (New Series, Seasons 5-7)
Matt Smith as the Eleventh Doctor in Doctor Who
(Photo by BBC America)
Key Traits: Bow ties, unwavering loyalty to his friends. Defining Moment: Granting Vincent Van Gogh a moment of profound peace and recognition in “Vincent and The Doctor,” showcasing the Doctor’s capacity for empathy and quiet compassion.
Unlike Capaldi and Tennant, Matt Smith did not grow up immersed in Doctor Who lore. Nevertheless, he rapidly grasped the character’s unique blend of quirky charm and ancient gravitas with such speed that it seemed he possessed ingrained memories of the show’s black-and-white origins. Modeling his Doctor on an eccentric professor, Smith’s rapid-fire speech and wildly gesticulating hands propelled the series to unprecedented popularity in the United States. Simultaneously youthful and ancient, Smith’s Eleventh Doctor could elicit both laughter and tears in rapid succession, demonstrating a remarkable range and depth of performance.
2. Tom Baker (Classic Series, Seasons 12-18)
Tom Baker as the Fourth Doctor in Doctor Who
(Photo by BBC)
Key Traits: The iconic ridiculously long scarf, his fondness for Jelly Babies. Defining Moment: His humorous exclamation “Cockneys!” when asked to identify the inhabitants of London at the beginning of “The Talons of Weng-Chiang,” showcasing his whimsical and often unpredictable nature.
It is often asserted that Tom Baker was born to play the Doctor, and he himself has famously claimed he never truly stopped. Imbuing the Doctor with his own distinct alien mannerisms and vocal eccentricities, Baker became the definitive incarnation of the Doctor for decades, a position richly deserved. Even within the weaker narratives of his era, Baker’s unwavering commitment to portraying the Doctor as an outwardly whimsical yet deeply caring hero for children never faltered. He also benefited immensely from the consistent presence of Robert Holmes, Doctor Who’s most celebrated writer, who either penned or significantly shaped the majority of the Fourth Doctor’s stories from 1974 to 1976, ensuring a consistently high level of quality during this period.
1. Patrick Troughton (Classic Series, Seasons 4-6)
Patrick Troughton as the Second Doctor in Doctor Who
(Photo by BBC)
Key Traits: His frequent instruction to companions to “run,” his signature trouser-checking gesture. Defining Moment: His comforting words to a distressed Victoria in “The Tomb of the Cybermen”: “No one else in the universe can do what we do,” instilling a sense of purpose and shared destiny.
With the exception of William Hartnell, every actor who has subsequently portrayed the Doctor owes a profound debt to Patrick Troughton. Beyond being the first to face the immense pressure of replacing the lead in Doctor Who, and the potential scrutiny of fans, he fundamentally established much of the Doctor’s core persona that continues to resonate through every incarnation. The indignant retorts, puckish retreats, and grave pronouncements of impending doom uttered by his successors all echo Troughton’s groundbreaking performance. The Second Doctor introduced the meddling-yet-benevolent Time Lord, driven by a thirst for exploration, knowledge, and a desire to help those in need. However, unlike some later Doctors, Troughton’s Second Doctor was unafraid to reveal moments of vulnerability and acknowledge when he was out of his depth. Some of the most compelling moments in Troughton’s stories arise from his confidence being visibly shaken when confronted with practical challenges. Yet, he invariably recovered, ultimately prevailing through a blend of cunning, intellect, and surprising warmth. All delivered with a distinctive vocal quality and a mischievous glint in his eye, Patrick Troughton’s Second Doctor remains the quintessential embodiment of the Time Lord who steps out of the TARDIS, ready for anything.
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The 2024 Doctor Who Christmas Special, “Joy to the World”, will premiere on Disney+ on December 25, 2024.
