Doctor Who’sextensive legacy has seen many actors tackle the role of the Doctor, withincredible dialogue to punctuate every new Doctor’s time on the TARDIS. While the show had humble beginnings in 1963 as a brand-new sci-fi series from the BBC, no one involved at that moment could have predicted how far the time traveling show would extend into the future. Over time, it became essential family viewing for many people throughout the UK, before the general enthusiasm for the show appeared to die down in the late 1980s.
However, because of the influence the show had for more than two decades, there were plenty of lifelong fans who were keen to see it continue. Despite a failed reboot attempt in 1996, another effort was made in 2005 to bring the show back to its former glory. Thanks to the talents of incredible showrunners, and especially the actors who played the Doctor,it now lives on asthe longest-runningsci-fi TV showof all time, and it found a global audience. But none of it would have been possible without the “mad man in a box,” the Doctor, who inspires, delights, and consistently blows the audience away.
1“I don’t make threats. But I do keep promises. And I promise you I shall cause you more trouble than you bargained for… If you don’t return my property!”
The First Doctor - William Hartnell
During the earliest days of Doctor Who, the show was still finding its way and setting the foundations that would carry the show through the decades. With William Hartnell in the hotseat,the Doctor was a grumpy, snippy, yet wise older man.
What is the best way for a new viewer to start Doctor Who?
Starting Doctor Who in 2024 might seem like a daunting task for someone with no experience with the franchise. There are 26 seasons of the show, with several actors serving as The Doctor — many more than once. For someone who has only heard about the show but never gave it a try, I recommend starting with the New Who period, which kicked off with Christopher Eccleston’s Doctor in 2005 and is a reboot for the franchise. That said, every regeneration of The Doctor essentially wipes the slate clean for a good jumping-on point.
He chose to travel with young companions, including his grandaughter, as he traveled the universe exploring. “The Sensorites” was a serial that came early on, and it did a fantastic job at highlighting the Doctor’s more dangerous side, as he confronted a terrifying race of aliens head on, despite his apparent frailty.
2"An unintelligent enemy is far less dangerous than an intelligent one, Jamie. Just act stupid. Do you think you can manage that?"
The Second Doctor - Patrick Troughton
Once the Doctor settles into his Second regeneration, played by Patrick Troughton, he finds dear friends to travel with him for almost all of this section of his life. One such friend was Jamie, who to this day, remains the Doctor’s longest-running companion.
9.1
Genesis of the Daleks: Part One
9.0
At the beginning of season 6, in the serial “The Dominators,” the Doctor was faced with a number of dangerous enemies, including the Dominators, and the Quarks.In order to disguise the threat they could pose to these invaders, the Doctor tries to encourage Jamie to essentially ‘play dumb.‘The harsh delivery, and the underlying care in the message are distinct aspects of the Doctor’s affection for his companions.
3"Courage isn’t just a matter of not being frightened, you know. It’s being afraid and doing what you have to do, anyway."
The Third Doctor - Jon Pertwee
For many fans of the classic Doctor Who era,Jon Pertwee was the iconic super-spy Doctor. Due to his being trapped on Earth, working with a secretive military organization by the name of U.N.I.T., and the Doctor’s array of gadgets and his beloved car, he was frequently compared to characters like James Bond.
Another quote which highlights this Doctor’s more playful side came in Terror of the Autons, when he said:“You know Jo, I sometimes think that military intelligence is a contradiction in terms.”
This spilled over into the portrayal as Pertwee made the Doctor more suave and ready to run toward danger, but as the above quote from “Planet of the Daleks” shows,the calm exterior was not always a reflection of his deeper concerns. However, like any good super spy, or like the Doctor, he faces his fears head on.
4"You may be a doctor. But I am the Doctor. The definite article, you might say!"
The Fourth Doctor - Tom Baker
The Fourth Doctor was widely seen as a fan-favorite Doctor during the classic era, with his more boisterous nature making him stand out, and his bizarre quirks highlighting how he is distinctly alien.
Tom Baker’s portrayal was one that defined the show during this early period, and as such,this line in the serial, “Robot,” is a perfect example of his bravado, which allowed him to take over the role in a way that made it seem like he was always meant to play the character.
5"You know how it is - you put things off for a day, and next thing you know, it’s a hundred years later."
The Fifth Doctor - Peter Davison
However, when it came around to Peter Davison’s time on the TARDIS, his portrayal of the Doctor was noticeably different. Where Baker proved an obvious alien among humans, Davison’s Fifth Doctor longed to fit in, and be accepted by the humans.
In this pursuit, he was often absent-minded, reflecting on serious thoughts as chaos danced around him.This line from the “Arc of Infinity” reveals a great deal about his state of mindas the now ancient Doctor finds themself more reflective than ever before.
6"This is a situation that requires tact and finesse. Fortunately, I am blessed with both!"
The Sixth Doctor - Colin Baker
Where the Fifth Doctor thought long and hard about his actions, and his mistakes, theSixth Doctor, played by Colin Baker, once again found a very different approach. For whatever reason,the Sixth Doctor appeared to have significantly more self-assurance and confidencein themselves than any Doctor before them.
It is not unfair to state that while the Doctor is absolutely brilliant, he comes across as proud and thoughtless in his boastful words and his reckless actions. However, as seen in “Terror of the Vervoids,” the Sixth Doctor tends to see nothing but the best in himself.
7"Think about me when you’re living your life one day after another, all in a neat pattern. Think about the homeless traveler and his old police box, with his days like crazy paving."
The Seventh Doctor - Sylvester McCoy
By the time Sylvester McCoy took the reins to play the Seventh Doctor, the alien had grown tired, weary, and he often sought joy by playing pranks and being deceitful. However, underneath this tough shell, he had some touching moments ashe looked on longingly at his companions and the other humans for the simplicity of their existence.
In “Dragonfire,” he made these feelings clear, as he compared the linear life cycles of the humans to his own, fractured, and unorganized life jumping all over the timeline.
8"I love humans. Always seeing patterns in things that aren’t there."
The Eighth Doctor - Paul McGann
In terms of Pual McGann’s time on screen as the Doctor, there was precious little of his Eight Doctor. Initially, McGann appeared only in the 1996Doctor WhoTV movie. Fortunately, he has returned in audio adventures, and even made a few special guest appearances on the show.
But in the movie where he appears,McGann’s most memorable line comes as he sets himself apart from the humanswith the above comment. While it offers an air of appreciation, it is also very condescending, as the Doctor has embraced their differences from the humans.
9"Great men are forged in fire. It is the privilege of lesser men to light the flame. Whatever the cost.”
The War Doctor - John Hurt
Likewise, the Doctor who canonically followed on from McGann was only present in one special feature-length adventure. “The Day of the Doctor” featured a very special version of the Doctor who helped to reset the story, and create a distinct separation between the classic era and the modern NuWho.
The Doctor’s 10 Most Morally Questionable Acts From Doctor Who’s 60-Year History
Though they’re often considered a paragon of good & morality, the Doctor makes many mistakes & justifies their actions even when they’re in the wrong.
Asthe War Doctor, Hurt became the warriorwho could win the Time War, and wipe out the Daleks, but this was a departure from the Doctor’s who came before or after. In the aftermath of his regeneration,the Doctor dealt with a lot of grief and trauma, but there were brighter days ahead for the “[man] forged in fire.”
10"Just This Once, Everybody Lives!"
The Ninth Doctor - Christopher Eccleston
Following on directly from the War Doctor, Christopher Eccleston’s Doctor was the next regeneration who had to handle his actions from the Time War. Having lost all the Time Lords, and exterminating the Dalek race as he presumed, the Ninth Doctor was raw and full of emotion.
Fortunately, his warrior past only pushed him to further embrace his namesake as the Doctor, and strive to save as many people as he could. This is best seenin “The Doctor Dances,” when he manages to find a solution that saves everyonewho he thought he had lost during that two-part adventure.
