Doctor Who, the iconic BBC science fiction series, has captivated audiences for decades with its time-traveling adventures and, most notably, its ever-changing lead character, the Doctor. The longevity of the show is in part thanks to the ingenious concept of regeneration, allowing for numerous actors to step into the role, each bringing their unique interpretation to the Time Lord. This article delves into the fascinating aspect of the actors who have embodied the Doctor, specifically focusing on their ages when they first took on this monumental role.
It’s a question that often sparks curiosity among fans: how old were these actors when they were cast, when filming began, or when their first episode aired? While for most Doctors the age difference across these milestones is minimal, the question itself highlights the enduring fascination with the Characters In Doctor Who and the real people who bring them to life. This exploration aims to present a comprehensive yet accessible look at the ages of the actors who have portrayed the Doctor, from William Hartnell to Ncuti Gatwa, offering a unique perspective on the Time Lord’s on-screen journey.
The list below details the ages of the actors at three key moments: when their casting was announced to the public, when they started filming their first full episode as the Doctor, and when their first episode was broadcast. Slight variations may occur depending on which date is considered, but the core information remains consistent: a testament to the range of ages and experience brought to this beloved character across the years.
The Doctors and Their Ages: A Detailed List
William Hartnell – The First Doctor (Age 55)
William Hartnell inaugurated the role of the Doctor, setting the stage for all future incarnations. His portrayal was that of a somewhat irascible but ultimately kind and brilliant traveler.
- Birth date: 8th January 1908
- Casting announced: 21st November 1963
- Shooting begins: 27th September 1963
- First episode broadcast: 23rd November 1963
- Age at casting announcement: 55
- Age when shooting begins: 55
- Age at first broadcast: 55
Peter Capaldi – The Twelfth Doctor (Age 55/56)
Peter Capaldi brought a seasoned gravitas to the role of the Twelfth Doctor, embodying a more complex and at times, morally ambiguous Time Lord.
- Birth date: 14th April 1958
- Casting announced: 4th August 2013
- Shooting begins: 7th January 2014
- First episode broadcast: 23rd August 2014
- Age at casting announcement: 55
- Age when shooting begins: 55
- Age at first broadcast: 56
David Tennant – The Fourteenth Doctor (Age 51/52)
Returning to the role, David Tennant as the Fourteenth Doctor marked a celebratory moment for fans, bringing back a beloved and familiar face to the TARDIS.
- Birth date: 18th April 1971
- Casting announced: 23 October 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
Jon Pertwee – The Third Doctor (Age 49/50)
Jon Pertwee’s Doctor was known for his action-oriented approach, his dapper style, and his strong connection to UNIT.
- Birth date: 7th July 1919
- Casting announced: 17th June 1969
- Shooting begins: September 1969
- First episode broadcast: 3rd January 1970
- Age at casting announcement: 49
- Age when shooting begins: 50
- Age at first broadcast: 50
Patrick Troughton – The Second Doctor (Age 46)
Taking over from Hartnell was no easy task, but Patrick Troughton’s “cosmic hobo” Doctor quickly won audiences over with his impish charm and vulnerability.
- Birth date: 25th March 1920
- Casting announced: 2nd September 1966
- Shooting begins: 22nd October 1966
- First episode broadcast: 5th November 1966
- Age at casting announcement: 46
- Age when shooting begins: 46
- Age at first broadcast: 46
Sylvester McCoy – The Seventh Doctor (Age 43/44)
Sylvester McCoy’s tenure as the Seventh Doctor saw a shift to darker, more manipulative storytelling, with his Doctor evolving from a clownish figure to a master strategist.
- Birth date: 20th August 1943
- Casting announced: 27th February 1987
- Shooting begins: 4th April 1987
- First episode broadcast: 7th September 1987
- Age at casting announcement: 43
- Age when shooting begins: 43
- Age at first broadcast: 44
Colin Baker – The Sixth Doctor (Age 40)
Colin Baker’s Sixth Doctor was characterized by his bombastic personality and flamboyant attire, making him a distinctly memorable, if controversial, incarnation.
- Birth date: 8th June 1943
- Casting announced: 19th August 1983
- Shooting begins: 24th January 1984
- First episode broadcast: 22nd March 1984
- Age at casting announcement: 40
- Age when shooting begins: 40
- Age at first broadcast: 40
Christopher Eccleston – The Ninth Doctor (Age 40/41)
Christopher Eccleston relaunched Doctor Who for the 21st century, bringing a raw emotional depth and Northern grit to the Time Lord, still carrying the scars of the Time War.
- Birth date: 16th February 1964
- Casting announced: 2nd April 2004
- Shooting begins: 20th July 2004
- First episode broadcast: 26th March 2005
- Age at casting announcement: 40
- Age when shooting begins: 40
- Age at first broadcast: 41
Tom Baker – The Fourth Doctor (Age 40)
Tom Baker’s Fourth Doctor is often considered the most iconic, with his bohemian style, wide grin, and whimsical yet powerful presence defining the role for a generation.
- Birth date: 20th January 1934
- Casting announced: 15th February 1974
- Shooting begins: 1st June 1974
- First episode broadcast: 28th December 1974
- Age at casting announcement: 40
- Age when shooting begins: 40
- Age at first broadcast: 40
Paul McGann – The Eighth Doctor (Age 36)
Though Paul McGann only appeared in a television movie and later in mini-episodes, his Eighth Doctor is cherished by fans for his romantic and Byronic portrayal.
- Birth date: 14th November 1959
- Casting announced: 5th January 1996
- Shooting begins: 15th January 1996
- First episode broadcast: 12th May 1996
- Age at casting announcement: 36
- Age when shooting begins: 36
- Age at first broadcast: 36
Jodie Whittaker – The Thirteenth Doctor (Age 35/36)
Jodie Whittaker made history as the first female Doctor, bringing warmth, enthusiasm, and a strong moral compass to the role.
- Birth date: 17th June 1982
- Casting announced: 16th July 2017
- Shooting begins: 31st October 2017
- First episode broadcast: 7th October 2018
- Age at casting announcement: 35
- Age when shooting begins: 35
- Age at first broadcast: 36
David Tennant – The Tenth Doctor (Age 33/34)
David Tennant’s first stint as the Doctor, the Tenth, is incredibly popular, remembered for his energetic performance, emotional depth, and iconic sonic screwdriver.
- Birth date: 18th April 1971
- Casting announced: 16th April 2005
- Shooting begins: July 2005
- First episode broadcast: 25th December 2005
- Age at casting announcement: 33
- Age when shooting begins: 34
- Age at first broadcast: 34
Ncuti Gatwa – The Fifteenth Doctor (Age 29/31)
Ncuti Gatwa steps into the TARDIS as the Fifteenth Doctor, promising to bring a fresh, vibrant energy to the role and continuing the series’ legacy of diverse casting.
- Birth date: 15th October 1992
- Casting announced: 8th May 2022
- Shooting begins: November 2022
- First episode broadcast: 2023
- Age at casting announcement: 29
- Age when shooting begins: 30
- Age at first broadcast: 31
Peter Davison – The Fifth Doctor (Age 29/30)
Peter Davison took on the role at a young age, portraying a more vulnerable and sometimes indecisive Doctor, a stark contrast to his predecessors.
- Birth date: 13th April 1951
- Casting announced: 4th November 1980
- Shooting begins: 13th April 1981
- First episode broadcast: 4th January 1982
- Age at casting announcement: 29
- Age when shooting begins: 30
- Age at first broadcast: 30
Matt Smith – The Eleventh Doctor (Age 26/27)
Matt Smith remains the youngest actor to have played the Doctor, bringing an old-man-in-a-young-man’s-body energy, full of childlike wonder and ancient wisdom.
- Birth date: 28th October 1982
- Casting announced: 3rd January 2009
- Shooting begins: 20th July 2009
- First episode broadcast: 3rd April 2010
- Age at casting announcement: 26
- Age when shooting begins: 26
- Age at first broadcast: 27
Bonus Doctors: Expanding the Universe
Beyond the main line of Doctors, several other actors have portrayed versions of the Time Lord, adding layers to the rich tapestry of Doctor Who characters. These “Bonus Doctors” appear in spin-offs, specials, or as alternative incarnations, further enriching the Doctor Who universe.
David Bradley (Age 75)
David Bradley played the First Doctor in “Twice Upon a Time,” offering a nuanced portrayal of the original Time Lord in a modern context.
- Birth date: 17th April 1942
- First episode broadcast: 1st July 2017
- Age at first broadcast: 75
John Hurt (Age 73)
John Hurt’s War Doctor was a previously unknown incarnation, introduced to bridge the gap between the Eighth and Ninth Doctors and explore the Time War.
- Birth date: 22nd January 1940
- First episode broadcast: 18th May 2013
- Age at first broadcast: 73
Richard Hurndall (Age 73)
Richard Hurndall stepped in as the First Doctor in “The Five Doctors,” taking over the role for the multi-Doctor anniversary special after William Hartnell’s passing.
- Birth date: 3rd November 1910
- First episode broadcast: 23rd November 1983
- Age at first broadcast: 73
Peter Cushing (Age 51)
Peter Cushing portrayed a human scientist named “Dr. Who” in two 1960s films, offering an alternative, non-canonical take on the Doctor concept.
- Birth date: 26th May 1913
- First film released: 23rd August 1965
- Age at first broadcast: 51
Jo Martin (Age 39?)
Jo Martin’s Fugitive Doctor introduced a mysterious, previously unknown incarnation of the Doctor, adding a significant twist to the Doctor’s established history.
- Birth date: 29th April 1980
- First episode broadcast: 26th January 2020
- Age at first broadcast: 39
Conclusion: A Legacy of Time and Talent
The characters in Doctor Who are brought to life by the talented actors who portray them. Looking at the ages of these actors when they first embarked on their journeys as the Doctor reveals not just numbers, but a spectrum of experience and interpretation that has shaped the Doctor’s persona across decades. From the seasoned William Hartnell to the youthful Matt Smith and Ncuti Gatwa, each actor has contributed to the enduring legacy of Doctor Who, proving that the Doctor is a character who can be reimagined and revitalized across time, always fascinating and forever engaging.
