Doctor Who has taken fans on a wild ride through time and space since 1963. With each regeneration, the Doctor brings a fresh face and new quirks. But who were all the Doctors, and what made each one special?
Let’s take a quick trip through the timeline of every official Doctor, from the First to the present day.
| Doctor | Actor | Years Active | Notable Traits | Key Companions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| First | William Hartnell | 1963–1966 | Stern, grandfatherly, mysterious | Susan, Ian, Barbara |
| Second | Patrick Troughton | 1966–1969 | Clownish, clever, playful | Jamie, Zoe, Victoria |
| Third | Jon Pertwee | 1970–1974 | Action-oriented, scientific | Jo Grant, Sarah Jane, UNIT |
| Fourth | Tom Baker | 1974–1981 | Iconic, eccentric, curious | Sarah Jane, Romana, K-9 |
| Fifth | Peter Davison | 1981–1984 | Gentle, youthful, moral | Nyssa, Tegan, Adric |
| Sixth | Colin Baker | 1984–1986 | Colorful, arrogant, intense | Peri, Mel |
| Seventh | Sylvester McCoy | 1987–1989, 1996 | Mysterious, manipulative | Ace, Mel |
| Eighth | Paul McGann | 1996, 2013 | Romantic, passionate | Grace Holloway |
| War Doctor | John Hurt | 2013 | Battle-weary, serious | None (interacted with 10 & 11) |
| Ninth | Christopher Eccleston | 2005 | Haunted, dry-witted | Rose, Jack, Mickey |
| Tenth | David Tennant | 2005–2010 | Charming, emotional | Rose, Donna, Martha |
| Eleventh | Matt Smith | 2010–2013 | Energetic, quirky | Amy, Rory, Clara |
| Twelfth | Peter Capaldi | 2013–2017 | Grim, reflective, bold | Clara, Bill, Nardole |
| Thirteenth | Jodie Whittaker | 2018–2022 | Warm, curious, inclusive | Yaz, Ryan, Graham, Dan |
| Fourteenth | David Tennant | 2022–2023 | Conflicted, nostalgic | Donna Noble |
| Fifteenth | Ncuti Gatwa | 2023–Present | Stylish, energetic | Still unfolding |
First Doctor (1963–1966)
Actor: William Hartnell
The original Doctor was stern, mysterious, and grandfatherly. He traveled with his granddaughter Susan and others, often finding himself tangled in historical events. He faced emperors, Mongols, and the Daleks for the first time.
Companions:
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Susan Foreman
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Ian Chesterton
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Barbara Wright
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Vicki
-
Steven Taylor
-
Katarina
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Sara Kingdom
-
Dodo Chaplet
-
Polly
-
Ben Jackson
Second Doctor (1966–1969)
Actor: Patrick Troughton
Quirky and clownish, this Doctor added humor to the show. He often faced alien threats, signaling a shift toward science fiction over historical stories. The Time Lords eventually put him on trial, leading to a forced regeneration.
Companions:
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Polly
-
Ben Jackson
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Jamie McCrimmon
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Victoria Waterfield
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Zoe Heriot
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The Brigadier
-
Sergeant Benton
Third Doctor (1970–1974)
Actor: Jon Pertwee
Exiled to Earth, this Doctor worked with UNIT to protect the planet. He drove a yellow roadster, “Bessie,” and faced threats like the Autons and his arch-nemesis, The Master.
Companions:
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Liz Shaw
-
Jo Grant
-
Sarah Jane Smith
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The Brigadier
-
Sergeant Benton
-
Captain Yates
Fourth Doctor (1974–1981)
Actor: Tom Baker
Known for his long scarf and wide grin, Baker’s Doctor is iconic. He battled the Daleks, met Davros, and explored the mystery of the Key to Time. He sacrificed himself to stop The Master and save the universe.
Companions:
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Sarah Jane Smith
-
Harry Sullivan
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Leela
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K-9
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Romana I & II
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Adric
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Nyssa
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Tegan
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The Brigadier
-
Sergeant Benton
Fifth Doctor (1981–1984)
Actor: Peter Davison
This Doctor was more human, kind, and vulnerable. He fought the Mara, the Cybermen, and the Black Guardian. He died after giving Peri Brown the only dose of a needed antidote.
Companions:
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Adric
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Nyssa
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Tegan Jovanka
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Turlough
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Kamelion
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Peri Brown
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The Brigadier (briefly)
Sixth Doctor (1984–1986)
Actor: Colin Baker
Colorful and brash, this Doctor was unpredictable. He dealt with the Rani, met H.G. Wells, and was once again put on trial by the Time Lords. The trial revealed his future self—the Valeyard—was trying to destroy him.
Companions:
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Peri Brown
-
Mel Bush
Seventh Doctor (1987–1989, 1996)
Actor: Sylvester McCoy
Starting lighthearted and goofy, this Doctor grew darker and more manipulative. He battled Fenric, stopped the Gods of Ragnarok, and guided Ace’s emotional growth. In 1996, he was shot and died on an operating table in San Francisco.
Companions:
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Mel Bush
-
Ace
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The Brigadier (extended universe)
Eighth Doctor (1996, 2013)
Actor: Paul McGann
Regenerating in a morgue, this Doctor was romantic and energetic. He fought the Master over the Eye of Harmony in the TARDIS. He later rejected the Time War but finally accepted the need to fight by becoming the War Doctor.
Companions:
-
Grace Holloway
-
Extended universe: Charley Pollard, Lucie Miller, and others (audio dramas)
The War Doctor (2013)
Actor: John Hurt
Born from the Eighth Doctor’s choice, he was created for battle. During the Time War, he tried to use “The Moment” to destroy Gallifrey and the Daleks. With help from his future selves, he saved his planet instead of burning it.
Ninth Doctor (2005)
Actor: Christopher Eccleston
The Doctor returned in 2005, haunted by the Time War. He was gruff but caring, slowly healing from trauma. He saved Rose from the Time Vortex by absorbing its power, leading to his regeneration.
Companions:
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Rose Tyler
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Mickey Smith
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Captain Jack Harkness
Tenth Doctor (2005–2010)
Actor: David Tennant
Charming and emotional, this Doctor became hugely popular. He battled Cybermen, the Master, and the Weeping Angels. He also lost Rose, fell in love with River Song, and sacrificed himself to save Wilfred.
Companions:
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Rose Tyler
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Martha Jones
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Donna Noble
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Mickey Smith
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Captain Jack
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Sarah Jane Smith
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K-9
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Wilfred Mott
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River Song
Eleventh Doctor (2010–2013)
Actor: Matt Smith
Youthful and energetic, the Eleventh Doctor brought a fairy-tale tone to the show. He faced cracks in time, married River Song, and saved Gallifrey. He died defending the town of Christmas and was granted a new cycle of regenerations.
Companions:
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Amy Pond
-
Rory Williams
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River Song
-
Clara Oswald
Twelfth Doctor (2013–2017)
Actor: Peter Capaldi
Older and more alien, this Doctor often questioned his morality. He searched for Gallifrey, fought the Cybermen, and taught at a university. He lost Clara and later met his first incarnation before choosing to regenerate once more.
Companions:
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Clara Oswald
-
Bill Potts
-
Nardole
Thirteenth Doctor (2018–2022)
Actor: Jodie Whittaker
The first female Doctor, she brought warmth, curiosity, and team spirit. She faced new enemies like the Stenza and returned foes like the Master and Cybermen. She uncovered the truth about the “Timeless Child,” rewriting her origins.
Companions:
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Graham O’Brien
-
Ryan Sinclair
-
Yasmin Khan
-
Dan Lewis
Fourteenth Doctor (2022–2023)
Actor: David Tennant (again)
After the Thirteenth Doctor regenerated, Tennant surprisingly returned with a new incarnation. This Doctor faced the Toymaker and grappled with strange new memories. His return set the stage for the Fifteenth Doctor’s debut.
Fifteenth Doctor (2023–Present)
Actor: Ncuti Gatwa
Energetic, bold, and stylish, the newest Doctor is still making his mark. As of 2025, his adventures are unfolding, and fans are eager to see what fresh challenges and companions await.
Final Thoughts
Doctor Who continues to evolve with each generation. Every Doctor brings something unique—whether it’s heart, humor, or heroism. Together, they tell a story of resilience, compassion, and hope that’s lasted over 60 years.
So, who’s your Doctor?