The question of age is a curious one when it comes to the ever-changing face of the Doctor in Doctor Who. With each regeneration, a new actor steps into the shoes of the Time Lord, bringing their own interpretation and energy to the role. Fans often ponder the ages of these actors when they first embarked on their journeys through time and space. Was the Doctor always portrayed by seasoned veterans, or were there instances of younger stars taking on the mantle?
This article delves into the ages of the actors who have officially played the Doctor in the main series, exploring when they were cast, when filming commenced, and when their first episodes were broadcast. While the differences are often minimal, these slight variations can be intriguing, especially when ranking the actors by age.
Interestingly, despite the long history of Doctor Who, the age range of the actors cast in the lead role hasn’t been as broad as one might expect. You might be surprised to discover who were the youngest and oldest Doctors upon their debut. Let’s explore the timeline and uncover the ages of these celebrated Doctor Who actors.
A Quick Look at the Doctor’s Ages
Before diving into the details, here’s a concise list presenting the ages of the Doctor Who actors at the time of casting, the start of filming, and their first broadcast episode:
- William Hartnell (First Doctor): 55 / 55 / 55
- Peter Capaldi (Twelfth Doctor): 55 / 55 / 56
- David Tennant (Fourteenth Doctor): 51 / 51 / 52
- Jon Pertwee (Third Doctor): 49 / 50 / 50
- Patrick Troughton (Second Doctor): 46 / 46 / 46
- Sylvester McCoy (Seventh Doctor): 43 / 43 / 44
- Colin Baker (Sixth Doctor): 40 / 40 / 40
- Christopher Eccleston (Ninth Doctor): 40 / 40 / 41
- Tom Baker (Fourth Doctor): 40 / 40 / 40
- Paul McGann (Eighth Doctor): 36 / 36 / 36
- Jodie Whittaker (Thirteenth Doctor): 35 / 35 / 36
- David Tennant (Tenth Doctor): 33 / 34 / 34
- Ncuti Gatwa (Fifteenth Doctor): 29 / 30 / 31
- Peter Davison (Fifth Doctor): 29 / 30 / 30
- Matt Smith (Eleventh Doctor): 26 / 26 / 27
As you can see, the ages are clustered, with a fascinating spread across different eras of the show. Now, let’s delve into the specifics for each Doctor, examining the dates and calculations in more detail.
The Doctors in Detail: Ages and Milestones
William Hartnell – The First Doctor (Age 55)
- Birth Date: January 8, 1908
- Casting Announcement: November 21, 1963
- Filming Begins: September 27, 1963
- First Episode Broadcast: November 23, 1963
William Hartnell holds the distinction of being the first actor to portray the Doctor, setting the stage for all subsequent incarnations. At 55 years old across all key milestones – casting, filming, and broadcast – Hartnell brought a gravitas and wisdom to the role that immediately captivated audiences.
Peter Capaldi – The Twelfth Doctor (Age 55-56)
- Birth Date: April 14, 1958
- Casting Announcement: August 4, 2013
- Filming Begins: January 7, 2014
- First Episode Broadcast: August 23, 2014
Matching William Hartnell in age upon casting, Peter Capaldi was also 55 when announced as the Twelfth Doctor and when filming commenced. He turned 56 by the time his first full episode aired, bringing a seasoned and intense presence to the Time Lord.
David Tennant – The Fourteenth Doctor (Age 51-52)
- Birth Date: April 18, 1971
- Casting Announcement: October 23, 2022
- Filming Begins: June 2022 (approximate)
- First Episode Broadcast: November 2023 (approximate)
David Tennant’s return as the Fourteenth Doctor was met with much excitement. He was 51 years old when cast and when filming began for his return, becoming 52 by the time his episodes were broadcast. This casting placed him among the more mature actors to take on the role.
Jon Pertwee – The Third Doctor (Age 49-50)
- Birth Date: July 7, 1919
- Casting Announcement: June 17, 1969
- Filming Begins: September 1969
- First Episode Broadcast: January 3, 1970
Jon Pertwee was just shy of 50 when cast as the Third Doctor, reaching that milestone age by the time filming started and his episodes aired. He brought a suave, action-oriented persona to the Doctor, marking a shift in the character’s portrayal.
Patrick Troughton – The Second Doctor (Age 46)
- Birth Date: March 25, 1920
- Casting Announcement: September 2, 1966
- Filming Begins: October 22, 1966
- First Episode Broadcast: November 5, 1966
Patrick Troughton was 46 years old across all key stages of his casting and debut as the Second Doctor. Taking over from William Hartnell, Troughton established the regeneration concept and brought a more impish and comedic energy to the role.
Sylvester McCoy – The Seventh Doctor (Age 43-44)
- Birth Date: August 20, 1943
- Casting Announcement: February 27, 1987
- Filming Begins: April 4, 1987
- First Episode Broadcast: September 7, 1987
Sylvester McCoy was 43 when cast and when filming commenced as the Seventh Doctor, turning 44 by the time his first episode was broadcast. McCoy’s Doctor evolved from a comedic figure to a more manipulative and strategic Time Lord.
Colin Baker – The Sixth Doctor (Age 40)
- Birth Date: June 8, 1943
- Casting Announcement: August 19, 1983
- Filming Begins: January 24, 1984
- First Episode Broadcast: March 22, 1984
Colin Baker was precisely 40 years old when he took on the role of the Sixth Doctor, remaining at that age through filming and broadcast. His portrayal was known for its flamboyant and often bombastic nature.
Christopher Eccleston – The Ninth Doctor (Age 40-41)
- Birth Date: February 16, 1964
- Casting Announcement: April 2, 2004
- Filming Begins: July 20, 2004
- First Episode Broadcast: March 26, 2005
Christopher Eccleston was 40 when cast as the Ninth Doctor and when filming began, turning 41 by the time his first episode aired, marking the revival of Doctor Who in the 21st century. His Doctor was characterized by a raw emotional intensity and a sense of trauma.
Tom Baker – The Fourth Doctor (Age 40)
- Birth Date: January 20, 1934
- Casting Announcement: February 15, 1974
- Filming Begins: June 1, 1974
- First Episode Broadcast: December 28, 1974
Tom Baker was also 40 years old when cast as the Fourth Doctor, maintaining that age throughout filming and broadcast. His iconic portrayal is the longest-running on television, known for its bohemian eccentricity and whimsical charm.
Paul McGann – The Eighth Doctor (Age 36)
- Birth Date: November 14, 1959
- Casting Announcement: January 5, 1996
- Filming Begins: January 15, 1996
- First Episode Broadcast: May 12, 1996
Paul McGann was 36 years old across all stages of his casting and debut as the Eighth Doctor. While his tenure was initially limited to a television movie, his Doctor has gained a significant following through audio dramas and expanded universe materials.
Jodie Whittaker – The Thirteenth Doctor (Age 35-36)
- Birth Date: June 17, 1982
- Casting Announcement: July 16, 2017
- Filming Begins: October 31, 2017
- First Episode Broadcast: October 7, 2018
Jodie Whittaker was 35 when announced as the Thirteenth Doctor and when filming commenced, turning 36 by the time her episodes aired, making history as the first female Doctor in the series’ long run.
David Tennant – The Tenth Doctor (Age 33-34)
- Birth Date: April 18, 1971
- Casting Announcement: April 16, 2005
- Filming Begins: July 2005 (approximate)
- First Episode Broadcast: December 25, 2005
David Tennant was 33 when cast as the Tenth Doctor, becoming 34 during filming and by the time his first episode was broadcast. His energetic and emotional portrayal quickly made him a fan favorite.
Ncuti Gatwa – The Fifteenth Doctor (Age 29-31)
- Birth Date: October 15, 1992
- Casting Announcement: May 8, 2022
- Filming Begins: November 2022 (approximate)
- First Episode Broadcast: 2023 (approximate)
Ncuti Gatwa is the youngest actor cast as the Doctor in the main series to date. He was 29 when announced, 30 when filming began, and 31 by the time his first episodes were expected to air. His casting signals a new, youthful direction for the character.
Peter Davison – The Fifth Doctor (Age 29-30)
- Birth Date: April 13, 1951
- Casting Announcement: November 4, 1980
- Filming Begins: April 13, 1981
- First Episode Broadcast: January 4, 1982
Prior to Ncuti Gatwa, Peter Davison held the title of the youngest actor to be cast as the Doctor. He was 29 when cast, turning 30 as filming commenced and by the time his episodes were broadcast. Davison brought a more vulnerable and human quality to the Doctor.
Matt Smith – The Eleventh Doctor (Age 26-27)
- Birth Date: October 28, 1982
- Casting Announcement: January 3, 2009
- Filming Begins: July 20, 2009
- First Episode Broadcast: April 3, 2010
Matt Smith remains the youngest actor to debut as the Doctor. He was just 26 when cast and when filming began, becoming 27 by the time his first episode aired. Smith injected youthful exuberance and quirky physicality into the role.
Bonus Doctors: A Matter of Age Across Universes
It’s worth noting that there are other actors who have portrayed versions of the Doctor in spin-offs, specials, or non-canonical media. These “Bonus Doctors” also present an interesting range of ages:
- David Bradley: Age 75 at first broadcast (as First Doctor in “Twice Upon a Time”)
- John Hurt: Age 73 at first broadcast (as War Doctor in “The Name of the Doctor”)
- Richard Hurndall: Age 73 at first broadcast (as First Doctor in “The Five Doctors”)
- Peter Cushing: Age 51 at first film release (as Doctor Who in “Dr. Who and the Daleks”)
- Jo Martin: Age 39 (approximate) at first broadcast (as Fugitive Doctor in “Fugitive of the Judoon”)
These actors, while not part of the main numbered Doctors, contribute to the rich tapestry of Doctor Who history and demonstrate that the character can be interpreted across a wide age spectrum.
Conclusion
The ages of the Doctor Who actors when they first take on the role offer a fascinating insight into the casting choices and the evolving nature of the character. From the seasoned William Hartnell and Peter Capaldi to the youthful Matt Smith and Ncuti Gatwa, each actor has brought a unique perspective shaped partly by their own age and life experience at the time. This diversity in age contributes to the enduring appeal of Doctor Who, proving that the Doctor can be compelling and captivating at any stage of life, or regeneration.
