List of actors who have played Doctor Who

20 April 2023
The beauty of Doctor Who lies in the fact that the character of the Doctor is not bound by the limitations of time or space, and neither are the actors who portray him. The role of the Doctor is one of the most challenging in television, as it requires the actor to embody a character who is simultaneously a hero, a rebel, a genius, and an enigma.

Over the years, we have seen thirteen actors bring their own unique interpretation to the role of the Doctor, each one imbuing the character with their own personality, quirks, and mannerisms. From the gruff, no-nonsense demeanor of William Hartnell to the frenetic energy of Matt Smith, each actor has left their mark on the character and helped to shape the show into what it is today.

The constant regeneration of the Doctor is not just a clever plot device, but a testament to the enduring legacy of the character. It allows the show to stay fresh and relevant, to reinvent itself time and time again, and to offer new and exciting opportunities for actors to take on the role. It also allows the show to explore new storylines and themes, and to delve deeper into the mythology of the show.


Here is a list of every actor who has played the role of Doctor Who, along with their dates, popular episodes, and the number of episodes they appeared in:


1. William Hartnell (1963-1966): The first actor to portray the Doctor in the original series, Hartnell played the role from 1963 to 1966. Some of his popular episodes include "An Unearthly Child," "The Dalek Invasion of Earth," and "The Tenth Planet." He appeared in 134 episodes.


2. Patrick Troughton (1966-1969): Troughton took over the role of the Doctor in 1966, and played him until 1969. Some of his popular episodes include "The War Games," "The Tomb of the Cybermen," and "The Mind Robber." He appeared in 119 episodes.


3. Jon Pertwee (1970-1974): Pertwee played the third incarnation of the Doctor from 1970 to 1974. Some of his popular episodes include "Spearhead from Space," "The Three Doctors," and "Planet of the Spiders." He appeared in 128 episodes.


4. Tom Baker (1974-1981): Baker is perhaps the most iconic of all the Doctors, playing the role from 1974 to 1981. Some of his popular episodes include "Genesis of the Daleks," "The Pyramids of Mars," and "City of Death." He appeared in 172 episodes.


5. Peter Davison (1982-1984): Davison took over the role of the Doctor in 1982, and played him until 1984. Some of his popular episodes include "The Five Doctors," "Earthshock," and "Caves of Androzani." He appeared in 70 episodes.


6. Colin Baker (1984-1986): Baker played the Doctor from 1984 to 1986. Some of his popular episodes include "The Two Doctors," "Revelation of the Daleks," and "Attack of the Cybermen." He appeared in 31 episodes.


7. Sylvester McCoy (1987-1989, 1996): McCoy played the Doctor in the original series from 1987 to 1989, and then again in the 1996 television movie. Some of his popular episodes include "Remembrance of the Daleks," "The Curse of Fenric," and "Survival." He appeared in 42 episodes.


8. Paul McGann (1996): McGann played the Doctor in the 1996 television movie, which was a co-production between the BBC and Fox. He appeared in one episode.


9. Christopher Eccleston (2005): Eccleston played the Doctor in the first series of the revived Doctor Who, which aired in 2005. Some of his popular episodes include "Dalek," "The Empty Child," and "Bad Wolf." He appeared in 13 episodes.


10. David Tennant (2005-2010): Tennant played the Doctor from 2005 to 2010. Some of his popular episodes include "Blink," "The End of Time," and "The Waters of Mars." He appeared in 47 episodes, as well as several holiday specials and films.


11. Matt Smith (2010-2013): Smith played the Doctor from 2010 to 2013. Some of his popular episodes include "The Eleventh Hour," "The Time of Angels," and "The Day of the Doctor." He appeared in 44 episodes, as well as several holiday specials and films.


12. Peter Capaldi (2013-2017): Capaldi played the Doctor from 2013 to 2017. Some of his popular episodes include "Listen," "Heaven Sent," and "World Enough and Time." He appeared in 40 episodes, as well as several holiday specials.


13. Jodie Whittaker (2017-2022): Whittaker played the Doctor from 2017 to 2022. Some of her popular episodes include "Rosa," "Demons of the Punjab," and "Fugitive of the Judoon." She appeared in 39 episodes, as well as several holiday specials.

14. Ncuti Gatwa is the new Doctor


It is worth noting that some of the holiday specials and films mentioned above include "The Day of the Doctor" (2013), "The Time of the Doctor" (2013), "The Husbands of River Song" (2015), "Twice Upon a Time" (2017), "The Return of Doctor Mysterio" (2016), and "Revolution of the Daleks" (2021), among others. 


Additionally, there have been a number of actors who have played the Doctor in various spin-offs, such as Patrick Troughton's appearance in the 1983 special "The Five Doctors," and David Bradley's portrayal of William Hartnell's Doctor in the 2017 biopic "An Adventure in Space and Time."

0 comments:

Post a Comment

Powered by Blogger.

About the author Jimmy Jangles


My name is Jimmy Jangles, the founder of The Astromech. I have always been fascinated by the world of science fiction, especially the Star Wars universe, and I created this website to share my love for it with fellow fans.

At The Astromech, you can expect to find a variety of articles, reviews, and analysis related to science fiction, including books, movies, TV, and games.
From exploring the latest news and theories to discussing the classics, I aim to provide entertaining and informative content for all fans of the genre.

Whether you are a die-hard Star Trek fan or simply curious about the world of science fiction, The Astromech has something for everyone. So, sit back, relax, and join me on this journey through the stars!
Back to Top