The Doctors Are In: Meet Every Actor Who Played ‘Doctor Who’ Over the Show’s 61 Years
A history of the cult show through each actor’s era, William Hartnell to Ncuti Gatwa
Next to Star Trek, there hasn’t been another science fiction franchise with the same sort of longevity and with as many new incarnations as Doctor Who. For more than 60 years, the British series has been unlike anything else on television. At its heart, of course, is the Doctor, a mysterious traveler from the planet Gallifrey who journeys through time and space in a blue police box known as the TARDIS. Sometimes a hero and sometimes a trickster, but always unpredictable, the Doctor faces alien threats, cosmic puzzles and the moral challenges that come with having the power to change history.
But what really makes Doctor Who unique isn’t just its blend of science fiction, fantasy and adventure—it’s the way the show has embraced change. When William Hartnell, the original Doctor, left the role in the mid-1960s, the producers made a bold decision: instead of simply replacing him, they explained his departure as part of the character’s biology. The Doctor, it turned out, could “regenerate” into a new body when mortally wounded or worn out, emerging with a different face, voice and personality, but retaining the same core identity and memories. It was a genuine stroke of genius.
“The James Bond 007 films often renew themselves by recasting the main character,” observes John Kenneth Muir, author of A Critical History of Doctor Who, “and taking a new slant on the action—comedic, dark, self-aware, etc.—and Doctor Who boasts this element as well, recasting the Doctor every few years and thus constantly renewing itself with new energy so that even familiar stories within the very elastic format feel fresh and new. And one of the show’s innovations was the notion of switching out your lead actors when he or she wants to move on, is growing too old or you need fresh blood.
“Remember, James Bond had not yet ‘regenerated’ into George Lazenby from Sean Connery and to some extent Lazenby was playing from the same set of characteristics Connery had in previous 007 movies. Each time the Doctor regenerates, he or she adopts new character traits, so your series lead is essentially becoming an entirely new person every few years. It’s remarkably innovative, but this approach would not work in some series.”
Those innovations have turned Doctor Who into a kind of living tapestry, with each new actor bringing something different to the part, from quirky humor to steely intensity, youthful energy and a world weariness. There are actually generations of viewers who mark time in their own lives by “their” Doctor—the one they first watched—yet the character remains a constant presence, forever evolving.
Over the years, the role has passed through the hands of actors as varied as Tom Baker, with his wide-eyed bohemian eccentricity, the energetic passion of David Tennant and Jodie Whittaker, the first woman to step into the role, whose incarnation emphasized warmth and inclusivity. Some actors played the Doctor on stage, others in films or audio dramas, but all added to the long-running experiment in storytelling continuity.
The word “elastic” is, Muir feels, applicable to the series as it allows the action to go to different places without it ever seeming like much of a stretch. “For example,” he points out, “the show might concern time travel on Earth—adventures in our history like the Old West—or the series can go to outer space and visit other alien planets (like Star Trek). Doctor Who can even travel to inner space or into alternate dimensions.
“There was,” he continues, “literally a serial in 1977 called ‘The invisible Enemy,’ in which the Doctor—or a clone of the Doctor—was miniaturized and traveled inside his own body, Fantastic Voyage [1968]-style, to destroy an intelligent virus. Another serial in 1968, called ‘The Mind Robber,’ took the Doctor into the universe of make-believe or fiction.”
“In its own way, Doctor Who was also vetting ‘serialized’ stories in the sixties, with multi-part episodes for each tale— which is interesting, at the least, given today’s streaming model of serialization. The serial ‘The War Games’ was a whopping 10 parts when it aired in 1969. It wasn’t the whole season, but if it were made today, it would be a whole season, right?”
Which contributes to what makes Doctor Who so enduring: it isn’t bound to a single style, actor or era. Instead, it thrives on change, on reinventing itself while carrying its history forward, whether in the main series or through events of spinoffs like the forthcoming The War Between the Land and the Sea.
“Doctor Who spin-offs like Torchwood (2006-2011) or The Sarah Jane Adventures (2007-2011) have been well-received for the most past” Muir opines, “so I’m glad to see the franchise is doing some more world-building. It’s been awhile. The whole Sea Devil milieu is something that has been explored before, but is a sturdy science fiction premise for a limited or even continuing series. I’m looking forward to it.”
What follows is a guide to each of the actors who have stepped into the Doctor’s shoes, in order, and how they’ve shaped one of television’s most remarkable journeys.
William Hartnell (1963–1966)
The original Doctor, William Hartnell established the Time Lord as an enigmatic, sometimes cranky but ultimately heroic figure. Initially portrayed as a stern grandfather type, his Doctor gradually softened into a warmer mentor to companions (those who accompany the Doctor on his adventures). Hartnell originated the role in “An Unearthly Child” and continued until health issues led to his departure in 1966, when the concept of regeneration was introduced. He returned briefly via pre-filmed inserts in the crossover event The Three Doctors (1973).
Peter Cushing (1965–1966)
Though not part of the TV canon, PeterCushing (Van Helsing in Christopher Lee’s Dracula films and Moff Tarkin in the original Star Wars) played character in a pair of theatrical films: Dr. Who and the Daleks (1965) and Daleks’ Invasion Earth 2150 A.D. (1966). His portrayal was gentler and a fully human “Dr. Who” who invents the TARDIS. The films, in bright color and widescreen, introduced the Daleks to a broader international audience.
Patrick Troughton (1966–1969)
The first actor to take over after Hartnell, Patrick Troughton’s Second Doctor pioneered the idea of regeneration as reinvention. His “cosmic hobo” performance contrasted with Hartnell’s authority, favoring eccentricity and mischief. Troughton helped prove the role’s flexibility and became one of the most beloved classic Doctors, remembered for his humor, warmth and quick-thinking in crises.
Jon Pertwee (1970–1974)
The Third Doctor was a bold reinvention: more action-oriented, flamboyant and dashing, favoring Venusian aikido and gadgets. Stranded on Earth by the Time Lords, Pertwee’s Doctor worked with UNIT (United Nations Intelligence Taskforce), bringing a James Bond–like flair to the role. His run emphasized alien invasions and political allegories, while his flamboyant dress and authoritative presence made him one of the era’s defining TV figures.
Tom Baker (1974–1981)
The longest-serving TV Doctor, Tom Baker’s Fourth Doctor remains iconic, instantly recognizable by his long scarf, curly hair and booming voice. Equal parts alien and whimsical, Baker brought unpredictability and eccentric charm, appealing to both children and adults. His era saw Doctor Who’s international popularity soar, cementing the character in pop culture.
Trevor Martin (1974)
Martin played the Doctor on stage in Doctor Who and the Daleks in the Seven Keys to Doomsday. Written by series regular Terrance Dicks, the play introduced a newly regenerated Doctor. Though non-canonical, Martin’s performance gave audiences a rare live-action theatre experience of Doctor Who, with the robotic Daleks rolling across the stage.
Peter Davison (1982–1984)
At 29, Peter Davison was the youngest actor yet cast, ushering in a more vulnerable and fallible Fifth Doctor. His cricket-loving Edwardian look and youthful energy stood in contrast to his predecessors. Storylines often emphasized the Doctor’s humanity, responsibility and occasional uncertainty, making his tragic farewell in “The Caves of Androzani” one of the show’s most acclaimed departures.
Richard Hurndall (1983)
Brought in to stand in for the late William Hartnell during The Five Doctors, Hurndall captured the First Doctor’s stern manner and sharp wit. Though his portrayal was a one-off, it allowed the First Doctor to remain part of the anniversary celebration, maintaining the continuity of the character’s legacy.
Colin Baker (1984–1986)
The Sixth Doctor was flamboyant brash, and often arrogant, clad in a garishly multi-colored coat. Colin Baker’s intention was to mellow his Doctor over time, but his era was cut short by behind-the-scenes turbulence. Though divisive on TV, he later became a fan-favorite in Big Finish audio adventures, where his characterization was deepened and softened.
Sylvester McCoy (1987–1989; 1996)
Initially whimsical and clownish, the Seventh Doctor evolved into a darker, more manipulative strategist, often likened to a cosmic chess master. McCoy’s tenure ended with the show’s 1989 cancellation, but he reprised the role in the 1996 TV movie, famously regenerating into Paul McGann’s Eighth Doctor.
David Banks (1989)
Best known as a Cyberleader on TV, David Banks briefly stepped into the title role in the stage musical Doctor Who: The Ultimate Adventure, succeeding Jon Pertwee and Colin Baker. Though outside television canon, his performance kept the character alive for fans during the “wilderness years” of the late ’80s.
Paul McGann (1996; 2013–present in audio)
Paul McGann’s Eighth Doctor debuted in the 1996 TV movie, blending Byronic romantic heroism with youthful energy. Although his tenure was brief on-screen, Big Finish audios transformed his Doctor into a richly developed incarnation, balancing swashbuckling adventure with brooding melancholy. He reprised the role in “The Night of the Doctor” (2013), showing his regeneration into the War Doctor.
Christopher Eccleston (2005)
The Ninth Doctor launched the 2005 revival, grounding the character with a darker, post-Time War gravitas beneath his leather jacket and Northern bluntness. Christopher Eccleston played the role for one season, introducing the Doctor to a new generation with humor, intensity and emotional depth.
David Tennant (2005–2010; 2022–2023)
The Tenth Doctor combined charisma, passion and fury, quickly becoming one of the most popular incarnations. His catchphrases (“Allons-y!”) and emotional storylines broadened the show’s mainstream appeal worldwide. David Tennant later returned as the Fourteenth Doctor for the 2022–2023 60th Anniversary specials, marking him as the only actor to headline two distinct numbered incarnations.
Matt Smith (2010–2013)
At 27, Matt Smith was the youngest TV Doctor, his Eleventh Doctor mixing youthful energy with ancient knowledge, embodying a “madman with a box.” Quirky mannerisms, bow ties and a blend of whimsy and melancholy defined his tenure.
John Hurt (2013)
Introduced in “The Day of the Doctor,” the War Doctor filled the “forgotten” gap between McGann and Eccleston, a weary warrior incarnation forged in the Time War. Hurt’s emotional weight and nuance gave depth to this hidden chapter of the Doctor’s life, and Big Finish audios later expanded the War Doctor’s adventures.
Peter Capaldi (2013–2017)
The Twelfth Doctor was sharp, brusque and alien, at times echoing the sternness of Hartnell. A passionate fan since childhood, Capaldi infused his portrayal with intensity and moral complexity, often asking, “Am I a good man?” Over time, his Doctor softened into a mentor figure, culminating in a poignant farewell in “Twice Upon a Time.”
David Bradley (2013–present)
Originally cast as William Hartnell in the docudrama An Adventure in Space and Time, Bradley later reprised the First Doctor in Twice Upon a Time and Big Finish audios. His portrayal balances tribute and reinterpretation, allowing modern audiences to reconnect with the character’s origins.
Jodie Whittaker (2017–2022)
The first woman to play the role, Jodie Whittaker’s Thirteenth Doctor brought warmth, curiosity and optimism, often traveling with multiple companions. Her era emphasized inclusivity and humanity, though it also introduced controversial lore expansions like the “Timeless Child.” Her final story, “The Power of the Doctor,” celebrated the show’s history with multiple past Doctors returning.
Jo Martin (2020–present)
Introduced as the “Fugitive Doctor” in “Fugitive of the Judoon” (2020), Jo Martin’s incarnation represented a previously unknown period of the Doctor’s life. Authoritative, mysterious and uncompromising, she provided a bold new angle on the mythology and has continued her role in Big Finish audios.
Ncuti Gatwa (2023–present)
The Fifteenth Doctor debuted in 2023 following the return of David Tennant’s Doctor. Gatwa’s performance is vibrant, stylish and emotionally dynamic, balancing high-energy charisma with raw vulnerability. He represents a new era for the franchise, carrying the show into its Disney+ partnership and global expansion.
Closing thoughts
The adventures of Doctor Who give no indication of slowing down and as they continue from one generation to the next, its similarity to the Star Trek franchise is indisputable.
“Doctor Who is much like Star Trek in the sense that it is a classic series producing new episodes in the 2020s,” Muir notes. “The Doctor Who format is roughly the same as it was in 1963 (the Doctor traveling through all of time and space in the TARDIS), and the character today still encounters familiar foes from the past (Cybermen, Daleks, Zygons, etc.), But the series now has new, young stars, modern special effects and is always adding to the familiar mythology in fresh, culturally-timely ways. The Doctor is the one constant in an ever-growing universe of science fiction lore.”
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