Almost 60 years of monsters, aliens and villains but where did our favourite time-travelling adventures begin? Here we list the timeline of Time Lords, from 1963 to 2023 with the next Doctor Who actor.
An eccentric alien with two hearts who can travel through time and space in a blue police box…It’s an unlikely scenario but our love affair with the Doctor has lasted for almost 60 years and today the show is more popular than ever before.
But, did you know the UK’s most famous sci-fi show came about for a simple practical reason. There was a gap in the BBC's Saturday evening schedule between Grandstand and Jukebox Jury. The plan was to create a show that would keep the adult sports’ fans tuned in and engage the teenage pop enthusiasts waiting to hear the latest hits.
The show, devised by head of drama Sydney Newman and writer CE Webber, would feature four regular characters: A with-it girl of 15, two school teachers and a frail old man lost in space and time – the mysterious Doctor. The plan was to include a mixture of science fiction and historical settings so The Doctor was given a time machine, the TARDIS (an acronym short for 'Time And Relative Dimensions In Space').
William Hartnell, the first Doctor (1963-1966)
The role of the Doctor was first offered to Hugh David (later a director on the show) and Geoffrey Bayldon, before being taken by veteran film actor, William Hartnell.
He was joined by Carole Ann Ford as granddaughter Susan, Jaqueline Hill as history teacher Barbara Wright and William Russell as science teacher Ian Chesterton.
The first episode, An Unearthly Child, was broadcast at 5.15pm on Saturday November 23, 1963. Unfortunately, power cuts and the devastating news of the assassination of US President, John F. Kennedy meant viewing figures were low.
The BBC showed the episode again the following week and the first four-part adventure was a reasonable success. But it was the second serial, The Daleks that really captured the imagination of the audience. The episode was a hit and soon Doctor Who was a huge success, with a weekly audience of around 12 million.
When Carole Ann Ford left the show it was decided the Doctor should find new companions to travel with him on his adventures. Maureen O'Brien came on board as Vicky and future Blue Peter presenter, Peter Purves as Steven Taylor.
However, by 1965 it was fast becoming clear that William Hartnell’s health was deteriorating and he wouldn’t be able to continue. Faced with losing their star the writers came up with an ingenious solution to allow the show to potentially run forever. It was decided that, as an alien, the Doctor should have the power to 'renew' his body, leaving the way clear for a new actor to take on the role.
Patrick Troughton, the second Doctor (1966-1969)
Patrick Troughton stepped into the Doctor’s shoes at the end of The Tenth Planet – a story which also introduced the sinister Cybermen. Troughton's Doctor was younger, better humoured, eccentric and often comical. But he also had a clever, manipulative side that was underestimated by his opponents.
The second Doctor's era introduced many more classic monsters and villains and new companions including Jamie, a Scottish soldier from 1746, played by Frazer Hines (later of Emmerdale Farm).
Troughton stayed with the show for three years, before deciding to move on.
Jon Pertwee, the third Doctor (1970-1974)
Jon Pertwee was best known as a comedy actor but played his Doctor as a sophisticated action hero.
Although incredibly popular, budget pressures threatened the show. The producers needed to find a way to cut the special effects and set design costs, so came up with the idea that Jon Pertwee’s Doctor was stuck on 20th Century earth, where he would combat alien invaders, as scientific advisor for UNIT.
The third Doctor had many friends and foes including; The Master, a rogue Time Lord played by Roger Delgado, and companions Liz Shaw (Caroline John), Jo Grant (Katy Manning) and Sarah Jane Smith (Elisabeth Sladen).
Tom Baker, the fourth Doctor (1974-1981)
When Tom Baker took over in 1974 the Doctor became highly eccentric, swinging madly between manic good humour and dark brooding aloofness. The writers went back to their roots with more time and space travel stories but gave them a darker feel, inspired by classic horror films.
Along with Sarah Jane Smith, the fourth Doctor's companions included warrior savage called Leela (Louise Jameson) and a robot dog called K9.
Peter Davison, the fifth Doctor, (1982-1984)
When Tom Baker decided to leave in 1980 the part was first offered to character actor Richard Griffiths. But it was Peter Davison, best known for All Creatures Great and Small who became the fifth Doctor, with a rather 'human' and sympathetic portrayal.
Colin Baker, the sixth Doctor (1984-1986)
Colin Baker played his Doctor as an arrogant and flamboyant character in brightly coloured, mismatched clothes whose brash and often patronising personality set him apart from all his previous incarnations.
The Sixth Doctor appeared in three seasons. Due to his decidedly short screen time, the Sixth Doctor appeared with only two companions, most notably the American college student Peri Brown (Nicola Bryant), before being briefly joined by Mel Bush (Bonnie Langford), a computer technician from his future he had yet to actually meet during his trial.
Sylvester McCoy, the seventh Doctor (1987-1989)
Sylvester McCoy, who initially channelled the comedy slapstick of Patrick Troughton with a know-it-all figure. While Doctor Who remained popular with some, viewing figures dropped and the final episode was broadcast on December 6, 1989. Many viewers assumed it would be for good.
Paul McGann, the eighth Doctor (1996)
After its cancellation, Doctor Who continued to flourish in the form of comics, books and audio dramas. A one-off TV film starring Paul McGann as the eighth Doctor was meant to kick-start the franchise again but Fox, the US producers, decided against commissioning a series.
Christopher Eccleston, the ninth Doctor (2005)
In 2005, writer (and Doctor Who fan) Russell T Davis reimagined the show to huge international acclaim.
Christopher Eccleston might have raised eyebrows at the time of his appointment, and he may have only had one series, but he was the perfect person to bring the show back after so long in 2005.
His rather dour attitude was explained later due to his predecessor The War Doctor's actions, but his relatively short tenure helped bridge the gap before David Tennant took over.
David Tennant, the tenth Doctor (2005-2010)
For those fans that watched from 2005 onwards, Tennant is the definitive Doctor that helped make the show a massive international success.
In fact David Tennant was so good as The Doctor, that he's the first to play it twice! In 2022, he shocked everyone by taking over from Jodie Whittaker's 13.
His eccentric and loveable nature also had moments of pathos and danger, including some of the show's best-ever episodes like 'Blink'. His companions included Rose Tyler (Billie Piper), Martha Jones (Freema Agyeman) and Donna Noble (Catherine Tate).
Matt Smith, the eleventh Doctor (2010-2013)
Matt Smith became the youngest ever actor (aged 26) to play the doctor when he took on the role in 2010.
His companions throughout his tenure were Amy Pond (Karen Gillan), her husband Rory Williams (Arthur Darvill) and Clara Oswald (Jenna Louise Coleman).
Writer Steven Moffat described the eleventh doctor as an "old man trapped in a young man's body".
Peter Capaldi, the twelfth Doctor (2014-2017)
Peter Capaldi brought a huge amount of gravitas to the role, and was a totally different iteration compared to Matt Smith before him.
He made his first appearance in the role at the end of the 2013 Christmas Special The Time Of The Doctor.
His companions included Clara Oswald, Bill Potts (Pearl Mackie) and Nardole (Matt Lucas).
Jodie Whittaker, the thirteenth Doctor (2017-2022)
Jodie Whittaker took on the challenge of being the first female Doctor brilliantly, and was one of the most likeable Doctors ever.
Her companions have included warehouse worker Ryan Sinclair (Tosin Cole), retired bus driver Graham O'Brien (Bradley Walsh), police officer Yasmin Khan (Mandip Gill) and Dan Lewis (John Bishop).
In July 2021, the BBC confirmed that Jodie would be leaving the role after series 13, which began on Halloween 2021, and three specials in 2022.
Jodie made her final appearance as the Doctor on October 23, 2022.
David Tennant, the fourteenth Doctor (2022-2023)
As Jodie Whittaker’s Thirteenth Doctor regenerated in October 2022, it was none other than David Tennant who appeared as the Fourteenth Doctor. But what has led to the return of a much loved face?
With David Tennant and Catherine Tate reprising their roles for the 60th anniversary, it has been confirmed that they will appear in three special episodes, set to air in November 2023
Ncuti Gatwa, the fifteenth Doctor (2023)
Ncuti Gatwa, who is best known for his performance in Netflix's Sex Education, has replaced Jodie Whittaker as the new Doctor Who actor.
Ncuti joins the long-running sci-fi series ahead of its 60th anniversary in 2023.