Doctor Who, the iconic science fiction series, is as much about the companions as it is about the Doctor themselves. These characters travel alongside the Doctor, sharing adventures across time and space. But what happens when a companion’s journey comes to an end? This analysis breaks down the departures of Doctor Who companions throughout the show’s history, categorizing their exits as voluntary, forced, deaths, or unknown.
1st Doctor’s Companions
The First Doctor’s era saw a variety of companion exits. By calculation, there were 5.5 voluntary exits, 0.5 forced, and 2 deaths. This set the stage for the diverse fates that would befall future companions.
2nd Doctor’s Companions
For the Second Doctor, exits were more straightforward, with 3 voluntary exits, and 2 forced. This suggests a slightly higher rate of companions being removed from the TARDIS against their will, or the Doctor’s.
3rd Doctor’s Companions
The Third Doctor’s era introduces some nuances. While Brigadier Lethbridge-Stewart, Sergeant Benton, and Mike Yates were significant allies, they remained grounded at UNIT and are not typically classified as full companions in terms of TARDIS travel. Liz Shaw, a brilliant scientist, also didn’t travel in the TARDIS but is often considered a companion figure. She voluntarily left UNIT. Jo Grant, a beloved companion, leaves voluntarily for love. Officially, the Third Doctor’s era counts 2 voluntary exits of companions who travelled with him.
4th Doctor’s Companions
The Fourth Doctor’s adventures saw a mix of departures, mirroring the Second Doctor with 3 voluntary exits, and 2 forced. This continues the trend of varied reasons for companions leaving the Doctor’s side.
5th Doctor’s Companions
The Fifth Doctor’s tenure included more tragic farewells, with 3 voluntary exits, and 2 deaths. This highlights the inherent dangers of traveling with the Doctor and the emotional weight of those losses.
6th Doctor’s Companions
The Sixth Doctor experienced fewer companion departures overall, with only 1 forced exit. This could be attributed to the shorter on-screen tenure of some companions during this era.
7th Doctor’s Companions
The Seventh Doctor’s timeline presents an interesting case. Mel Bush leaves voluntarily to travel with someone else. The intended fate of Ace, a fan-favorite companion, remains unknown on screen due to the series cancellation. However, it was planned for her to leave voluntarily to train as a Time Lord. Officially, this era counts 1 voluntary exit, and 1 unknown.
8th Doctor’s Companions
The Eighth Doctor’s story, primarily told in the TV movie, features Grace Holloway. She declines to travel with the Doctor, resulting in 0.5 voluntary exits (due to the debatable nature of her “companion” status before even joining).
War Doctor’s Companions
The War Doctor, a hidden incarnation, notably has 0 on-screen companion exits. The Moment, a sentient weapon, is not considered a traditional companion in this analysis.
9th Doctor’s Companions
The Ninth Doctor’s brief but impactful era saw 2 forced exits. These departures were pivotal and emotionally charged moments in the revived series.
10th Doctor’s Companions
The Tenth Doctor’s time included several “one-off” companions who appeared in single episodes and, while debated, are often included in companion lists. None of these “one-off” characters formally “left,” though Astrid Peth and Adelaide Brooke died. Considering more traditional companions, the Tenth Doctor saw 2 voluntary exits, and 2 forced.
11th Doctor’s Companions
The Eleventh Doctor’s era is marked by more permanent farewells, with 3 deaths of companions. While Craig Owens played a companion-like role in an episode, he isn’t considered a full-time TARDIS traveler.
12th Doctor’s Companions
The Twelfth Doctor’s companions experienced a range of exits. Ashildr/Me is debated as a full companion but had recurring appearances with the Doctor without consistently traveling in the TARDIS. Classifying exits, the Twelfth Doctor’s era includes 1.5 deaths, 0.5 voluntary exits, and 2 forced exits.
13th Doctor’s Companions
The Thirteenth Doctor’s more recent era concludes this analysis with 2 voluntary exits.
This overview focuses on companions from the televised Doctor Who episodes and the 1996 movie. Companions from spin-off media like audio dramas and novels are not included in these counts. For more comprehensive information on all Doctor Who companions, including those in expanded media, resources like the TARDIS Index File offer extensive details.
This exploration into companion departures illustrates the varied and often poignant nature of these relationships in Doctor Who, showcasing the bittersweet reality of journeys in the TARDIS.
