This month marks the 61st anniversary of the iconic sci-fi and fantasy series which first graced TV screens on 23 November 1963.
Doctor Who has been a cornerstone of British television for over six decades, having initially aired in 1963 and running until 1989 before taking a brief hiatus. Despite a TV film released in 1966, it wasn’t until 2005 that the show made a triumphant return, testament to its enduring popularity.
Over the years, an array of actors have stepped into the shoes of the legendary Time Lord. From the inaugural Doctor, William Hartnell, to fan-favourite and the groundbreaking first female Doctor, Jodie Whittaker, audiences have been treated to 15 incarnations of the Time Lord to date.
As the show celebrates its 61st birthday and looks forward to the upcoming Christmas special, let’s take a moment to explore what the previous Doctors have been up to over the years.
The original Time Lord, portrayed by William Hartnell, lit up screens from 1963 to 1966, defying his age with vigorous performances against formidable adversaries, including the infamous Daleks. Beyond his tenure on Doctor Who, William was a celebrated English actor, renowned for his military roles in The Army Game and Carry On Sergeant.
William Hartnell was the first Time Lord on the BBC show (Image: Getty)
William was married to Heather McIntyre and the pair celebrated the joy of one child together. Tragically, William died in April 1975 at the age of 67.
In a revealing TV interview that has since seen the light of day once more, William offered his candid take on the Daleks, labelling them “difficult to play to.”
Patrick Troughton stepped into the shoes of the Second Doctor from 1966 to 1969, crafting a portrayal that sharply deviated from his forerunner with an air of whimsy veiled by darkness.
A crowning moment saw him cunningly entomb the Cybermen within ancient confines. With a background in stage acting, Patrick became a fixture on television screens and revisited his Doctor role numerous times across the ’70s and ’80s. Sadly, the actor died in March 1987 at the age of 67.
Enter Jon Pertwee, whose stint as the third Doctor from 1970 to 1974 exuded a blend of assurance fused with kindness. Jon, a man of many talents including comedy, acting, and cabaret, also bore a distinguished naval record from World War II service.
Although renowned for his comedic flair in Carry On films and The Navy Lark, the actor died in May 1996 at 76, leaving two children behind. The fourth Doctor earned a reputation as one of the most daring Time Lords, notable for his quest to procure the Key to Time. Played by Tom Baker from 1974 until 1981, this English actor and writer proudly holds the title as the Doctor’s longest-serving portrayal.
Jon Pertwee played Doctor Who from 1970 to 1974 (Image: Getty)
Now aged 90, he is famed for his voiceover work on Little Britain, including its special episode during The Big Night In event in 2020. He also returned to his iconic role as the Fourth Doctor in a 2017 episode of Doctor Who called Shada.
Peter Davison is remembered by many for playing Tristan Farnon in the classic series and later stepping into the shoes of the fifth Doctor. His portrayal of the Doctor was distinctive for his empathetic, intelligent, and good-natured characteristics.
He’s celebrated for rejoining forces with his past selves in a battle within Gallifrey’s Death Zone. Today, at 73, Peter portrays a cursing vicar in ITV’s The Larkins. Moreover, the actor holds a personal connection to the franchise being the father of Georgia Tennant and husband to David Tennant, the Tenth Doctor. Colin Baker brought to life the Sixth Doctor from 1984 to 1986, renowned for his fiery temperament.
Colin, now 81-years-old, delivered an enduring performance as the Time Lord and has taken roles in contemporary series like and featured in A Christmas Carol. During a conversation with Digital Spy, he expressed opinions about the future casting of Doctor Who, affirming: “I suspect that the trend is going to take us down the BAME route and quite right, too!”
Furthermore, reflecting on long-standing industry biases, he continued: “There’s a whole sector of the acting community that’s been ill-served for decades. It’ll certainly, I suspect, not be a white middle-aged man; I would like to think it will be another female Doctor because I enjoyed watching [Jodie Whittaker].”
Peter Davison’s daughter is married to the tenth doctor David Tennant (Image: Getty)
Sylvester McCoy, famed for his portrayal of the seventh Doctor, a character marked by whimsy and hidden depth, reprised his role in a 1996 TV movie. Now 81, he continues to enjoy a successful career, with notable roles such as Radagast in The Hobbit trilogy from 2012 to 2014. Most recently, he appeared in the 2020 film Lost at Christmas.
Paul McGann assumed the mantle of the eighth Doctor for a single film in 1996 and made a brief comeback in a special segment for the show’s 50th anniversary in 2013. Known for his performances in The Monocled Mutineer and Hornblower, he joined Holby City as John Gaskell, featuring in over 40 episodes. His latest work includes a role in the 2021 series Annika.
Christopher Eccleston, who played the ninth Doctor on the show, is recognised for his roles in The A Word and The Leftovers. The father-of-two is currently engaged in two television projects, playing Fagin in Dodger and Rob Harding in Close to Me. Recently, Christopher openly discussed his struggle with clinical depression and its near-devastating impact on his life.
David Tennant, who embodied the Tenth Doctor from 2005 to 2010, first graced screens on Christmas Day. Voted the nation’s favourite Doctor, David, who is also Peter Davison’s son-in-law, has since starred as Dennis Nilsen in ITV’s Des, himself in Staged alongside Michael Sheen and as Crowley in Good Omens.
Doctor Who is celebrating its 61st year in 2024 (Image: BBC)
Matt Smith, best known to sci-fi fans as the eleventh Doctor Who, recently made a fleeting return to the iconic series before handing over the reins to Ncuti Gatwa, the show’s latest Time Lord. Matt held fans spellbound from 2010 to 2013, bursting onto screens in a spectacularly crashing TARDIS.
Famous for his encounters with the chilling Weeping Angels, Matt has ventured beyond time-traveling adventures to embody Prince Phillip on The Crown. Now aged 39, he’s embarked on a fresh challenge, delving into the world of Westeros as Daemon Targaryen in House of the Dragon, the much-talked-about Game of Thrones prequel.
Peter Capaldi, Smith’s successor and the twelfth incarnation of the Doctor, featured not only in his tenure from 2013 to 2017 but also graced the epic 50th anniversary special. Renowned for more than his TARDIS exploits, at 66, Peter commands respect as an actor, singer, and writer, particularly praised for his portrayal of Malcolm Tucker in The Thick of It.
More recently, Capaldi’s talent voiced Beethoven in Being Beethoven and depicted Siegfried Sassoon in Benediction. Following Capaldi, the TARDIS keys went to Jodie Whittaker, heralding a new era as the Thirteenth Doctor in 2017. Her history-making casting as the first female Doctor was embraced with her exuberant declaration: “Aw, brilliant!”
Jodie Whittaker made history by becoming the first female Time Lord (Image: Getty)
Jodie bowed out of the role in 2022, accompanied by showrunner Chris Chibnall. The baton is now with Ncuti Gatwa, who debuted in 2023 as the fourteenth Doctor.
Reflecting on his entry into the expansive Whoniverse, Ncuti admitted that the sheer magnitude of the franchise had eluded him upon accepting the iconic part.
He confessed: “I feel quite silly that I didn’t comprehend the sheer scale of it beforehand. But once I stepped into the world, I realised how huge it is. I thought, ‘Well, of course, it’s Doctor Who! I immediately understood why it’s a show we all know and love. It just takes your breath away how far-reaching the scope of the show is. You embrace the fandom. The fans absolutely make the show what it is. They’re the final character.”
The 32-year-old actor, who has also made waves in ‘s Sex Education and the Barbie movie in 2023.
Fans can catch the latest adventures of Doctor Who on iPlayer.