Doctor Who, the longest-running science fiction series, has captivated audiences for decades, thanks in part to the incredible actors who have stepped into the shoes of the enigmatic Time Lord. A question often pondered by fans is the age of these actors when they were first cast in this iconic role. It’s a fascinating detail that adds another layer to our appreciation of their performances and the Doctor’s enduring legacy.
This article delves into the ages of the actors who have portrayed the Doctor throughout the series’ history, from William Hartnell to Ncuti Gatwa. We’ll explore their ages not just at the time of casting announcement, but also when filming began and when their first episode was broadcast, offering a comprehensive look at the timeline of each Doctor’s debut.
The Doctors Through Time: Their Ages When Joining Doctor Who
Understanding the ages of the actors when they took on the role of the Doctor provides an interesting perspective on the character’s evolution and the choices made in casting. Here’s a detailed list, ordered from the First Doctor to the Fifteenth, showcasing their ages at key moments in their casting journey.
William Hartnell – The First Doctor (Age 55)
William Hartnell as the First Doctor
- Birth date: January 8, 1908
- Casting announced: November 21, 1963
- Shooting begins: September 27, 1963
- First episode broadcast: November 23, 1963
- Age at casting announcement: 55
- Age when shooting begins: 55
- Age at first broadcast: 55
William Hartnell set the standard as the very first Doctor, embodying a wise and sometimes irascible character. At 55, he brought a gravitas to the role that established the Doctor as a figure of authority and mystery from the outset.
Patrick Troughton – The Second Doctor (Age 46)
Patrick Troughton as the Second Doctor
- Birth date: March 25, 1920
- Casting announced: September 2, 1966
- Shooting begins: October 22, 1966
- First episode broadcast: November 5, 1966
- Age at casting announcement: 46
- Age when shooting begins: 46
- Age at first broadcast: 46
Taking over from Hartnell, Patrick Troughton was 46 when he debuted as the Second Doctor. He injected a youthful energy and a more playful demeanor into the character, while still maintaining the Doctor’s inherent intelligence and heroism.
Jon Pertwee – The Third Doctor (Age 49)
Jon Pertwee as the Third Doctor
- Birth date: July 7, 1919
- Casting announced: June 17, 1969
- Shooting begins: September 1969
- First episode broadcast: January 3, 1970
- Age at casting announcement: 49
- Age when shooting begins: 50
- Age at first broadcast: 50
Jon Pertwee was cast as the Third Doctor at 49, bringing a suave and action-oriented approach to the role. His Doctor was known for his dapper style, martial arts skills, and close relationship with UNIT, marking a distinct era for the show.
Tom Baker – The Fourth Doctor (Age 40)
Tom Baker as the Fourth Doctor
- Birth date: January 20, 1934
- Casting announced: February 15, 1974
- Shooting begins: June 1, 1974
- First episode broadcast: December 28, 1974
- Age at casting announcement: 40
- Age when shooting begins: 40
- Age at first broadcast: 40
Tom Baker, at 40, became the Fourth Doctor, and his tenure is often considered a golden age for Doctor Who. His bohemian style, iconic scarf, and whimsical yet powerful portrayal made him a beloved figure and the longest-serving actor in the role.
Peter Davison – The Fifth Doctor (Age 29)
Peter Davison as the Fifth Doctor
- Birth date: April 13, 1951
- Casting announced: November 4, 1980
- Shooting begins: April 13, 1981
- First episode broadcast: January 4, 1982
- Age at casting announcement: 29
- Age when shooting begins: 30
- Age at first broadcast: 30
Peter Davison marked a significant shift as the youngest Doctor to date upon his casting at 29. His Fifth Doctor was more vulnerable and emotionally accessible, adding new dimensions to the character’s persona.
Colin Baker – The Sixth Doctor (Age 40)
Colin Baker as the Sixth Doctor
- Birth date: June 8, 1943
- Casting announced: August 19, 1983
- Shooting begins: January 24, 1984
- First episode broadcast: March 22, 1984
- Age at casting announcement: 40
- Age when shooting begins: 40
- Age at first broadcast: 40
Colin Baker took on the role of the Sixth Doctor at 40. His Doctor was flamboyant and often abrasive, a deliberate contrast to his predecessor, sparking debate and demonstrating the character’s capacity for dramatic reinvention.
Sylvester McCoy – The Seventh Doctor (Age 43)
Sylvester McCoy as the Seventh Doctor
- Birth date: August 20, 1943
- Casting announced: February 27, 1987
- Shooting begins: April 4, 1987
- First episode broadcast: September 7, 1987
- Age at casting announcement: 43
- Age when shooting begins: 43
- Age at first broadcast: 44
Sylvester McCoy was 43 when he was cast as the Seventh Doctor. Initially portrayed as a comedic and whimsical figure, his Doctor evolved into a darker, more manipulative strategist, showcasing the range of the character.
Paul McGann – The Eighth Doctor (Age 36)
Paul McGann as the Eighth Doctor
- Birth date: November 14, 1959
- Casting announced: January 5, 1996
- Shooting begins: January 15, 1996
- First episode broadcast: May 12, 1996
- Age at casting announcement: 36
- Age when shooting begins: 36
- Age at first broadcast: 36
Paul McGann became the Eighth Doctor at 36, starring in the Doctor Who TV movie. Though his on-screen time was limited in the main series until later minisodes, his portrayal as a romantic and Byronic hero resonated with fans and expanded the Doctor’s mythology.
Christopher Eccleston – The Ninth Doctor (Age 40)
Christopher Eccleston as the Ninth Doctor
- Birth date: February 16, 1964
- Casting announced: April 2, 2004
- Shooting begins: July 20, 2004
- First episode broadcast: March 26, 2005
- Age at casting announcement: 40
- Age when shooting begins: 40
- Age at first broadcast: 41
Christopher Eccleston, also 40 when cast, spearheaded the revival of Doctor Who as the Ninth Doctor. His portrayal was marked by emotional depth and a lingering trauma from the Time War, making him instantly relatable and compelling to a new generation of viewers.
David Tennant – The Tenth Doctor (Age 33)
- Birth date: April 18, 1971
- Casting announced: April 16, 2005
- Shooting begins: July 2005
- First episode broadcast: December 25, 2005
- Age at casting announcement: 33
- Age when shooting begins: 34
- Age at first broadcast: 34
David Tennant took on the Tenth Doctor role at 33, becoming an instant fan favorite. His energetic, charming, and deeply emotional performance solidified Doctor Who’s renewed popularity and made him one of the most beloved Doctors.
Matt Smith – The Eleventh Doctor (Age 26)
Matt Smith as the Eleventh Doctor
- Birth date: October 28, 1982
- Casting announced: January 3, 2009
- Shooting begins: July 20, 2009
- First episode broadcast: April 3, 2010
- Age at casting announcement: 26
- Age when shooting begins: 26
- Age at first broadcast: 27
Matt Smith became the youngest actor cast as the Doctor at just 26. His Eleventh Doctor was quirky, childlike, and yet ancient, bringing a unique blend of youthful exuberance and old soul wisdom to the character.
Peter Capaldi – The Twelfth Doctor (Age 55)
Peter Capaldi as the Twelfth Doctor
- Birth date: April 14, 1958
- Casting announced: August 4, 2013
- Shooting begins: January 7, 2014
- First episode broadcast: August 23, 2014
- Age at casting announcement: 55
- Age when shooting begins: 55
- Age at first broadcast: 56
Peter Capaldi joined the cast as the Twelfth Doctor at 55, echoing William Hartnell’s age when he began. His Doctor was intense, complex, and at times morally ambiguous, exploring the weight of the Doctor’s long life and responsibilities.
Jodie Whittaker – The Thirteenth Doctor (Age 35)
Jodie Whittaker as the Thirteenth Doctor
- Birth date: June 17, 1982
- Casting announced: July 16, 2017
- Shooting begins: October 31, 2017
- First episode broadcast: October 7, 2018
- Age at casting announcement: 35
- Age when shooting begins: 35
- Age at first broadcast: 36
Jodie Whittaker made history as the first female Doctor, cast at the age of 35. Her Thirteenth Doctor was optimistic, compassionate, and inclusive, bringing a fresh perspective to the role while honoring the character’s core values.
David Tennant – The Fourteenth Doctor (Age 51)
David Tennant as the Fourteenth Doctor
- Birth date: April 18, 1971
- Casting announced: October 23, 2022
- Shooting begins: June 2022 (?)
- First episode broadcast: November 2023
- Age at casting announcement: 51
- Age when shooting begins: 51
- Age at first broadcast: 52
David Tennant’s return as the Fourteenth Doctor was a momentous occasion. At 51, he became the third oldest actor to take on the role (at the time of casting), demonstrating the enduring appeal of his portrayal and the series’ willingness to surprise audiences.
Ncuti Gatwa – The Fifteenth Doctor (Age 29)
Ncuti Gatwa as the Fifteenth Doctor
- Birth date: October 15, 1992
- Casting announced: May 8, 2022
- Shooting begins: November 2022
- First episode broadcast: 2023 (?)
- Age at casting announcement: 29
- Age when shooting begins: 30
- Age at first broadcast: 31 (?)
Ncuti Gatwa, cast as the Fifteenth Doctor at 29, is set to bring a new era of energy and charisma to the role, matching Peter Davison as the youngest actor to be initially cast as the Doctor.
Bonus Doctors: Expanding the Whoniverse
Beyond the main line of Doctors, several other actors have portrayed incarnations of the Time Lord in special episodes or films. Here’s a look at some of these “Bonus Doctors” and their ages when they first appeared in the role:
- David Bradley (as the First Doctor): Age 75 (First episode broadcast: July 1, 2017)
- John Hurt (as the War Doctor): Age 73 (First episode broadcast: May 18, 2013)
- Richard Hurndall (as the First Doctor): Age 73 (First episode broadcast: November 23, 1983)
- Peter Cushing (as Doctor Who in films): Age 51 (First film released: August 23, 1965)
- Jo Martin (as the Fugitive Doctor): Age 39 (?) (First episode broadcast: January 26, 2020)
Conclusion: Age is Just a Number for a Time Lord
From the seasoned William Hartnell to the youthful Ncuti Gatwa, the Cast Of Doctor Who represents a wide range of ages, demonstrating that the essence of the Doctor transcends age. Whether young or more experienced, each actor has brought their unique talents and interpretations to the role, enriching the tapestry of this beloved character and ensuring Doctor Who’s timeless appeal. The varying ages at which these actors were cast highlight the flexibility and enduring nature of the Doctor, a character who can regenerate and reinvent themselves, captivating audiences across generations.
