Here is a list of the 14 actors who have played the Doctor in the long-running British science fiction television series Doctor Who, ranked by their average rating on Rotten Tomatoes. In other words the Dr Who Doctors Ranked:
David Tennant (2005-2010): 92% – David Tennant is widely regarded as one of the best actors to have ever played the Doctor in the long-running British science fiction television series Doctor Who. He played the role from 2005 to 2010, and his era is often considered to be one of the best in the show’s history.
- He brought a new level of charisma and energy to the role.
- He had great chemistry with his companions, particularly Rose Tyler (Billie Piper) and Donna Noble (Catherine Tate).
- He starred in some of the show’s most iconic episodes, including “The End of Time” and “The Waters of Mars.”
- He helped to revive the show’s popularity and introduce it to a new generation of fans.
Peter Capaldi (2013-2017): 89% – Peter Capaldi is the twelfth actor to play the Doctor in the long-running British science fiction television series Doctor Who. He played the role from 2013 to 2017, and his era is often considered to be one of the best in the show’s history.
- “Deep Breath” (2013): Capaldi’s first episode as the Doctor, and he immediately establishes himself as a unique and compelling character.
- “Listen” (2014): A beautifully-crafted episode that explores the Doctor’s relationship with fear.
- “Heaven Sent” (2015): A masterpiece of storytelling, with Capaldi giving one of the best performances of his career.
- “The Doctor Falls” (2017): A heartbreaking and triumphant episode that brings Capaldi’s era to a close.
Matt Smith (2010-2013): 88% – Matt Smith was the eleventh actor to play the Doctor in the long-running British science fiction television series Doctor Who. He played the role from 2010 to 2013, and his era is often considered to be one of the best in the show’s history.
- He brought a new level of youthful energy and enthusiasm to the role.
- He had great chemistry with his companions, particularly Amy Pond (Karen Gillan) and Rory Williams (Arthur Darvill).
- He starred in some of the show’s most iconic episodes, including “The Eleventh Hour” and “The Doctor’s Wife.”
- He helped to revive the show’s popularity and introduce it to a new generation of fans.
Tom Baker (1974-1981): 87% – Tom Baker is the fourth actor to play the Doctor in the long-running British science fiction television series Doctor Who. He played the role from 1974 to 1981, and his era is often considered to be one of the best in the show’s history.
- He brought a new level of eccentricity and flamboyance to the role.
- He had great chemistry with his companions, particularly Sarah Jane Smith (Elisabeth Sladen) and Romanadvoratrelundar (Lara Croft).
- He starred in some of the show’s most iconic episodes, including “Genesis of the Daleks” and “City of Death.”
- He helped to revive the show’s popularity and introduce it to a new generation of fans.
Patrick Troughton (1966-1969): 86% – Patrick Troughton was the second actor to play the role of the Doctor in the long-running British science fiction television series Doctor Who. He played the role from 1966 to 1969, and his tenure is widely regarded as one of the most iconic in the show’s history.
- He was the first actor to regenerate into a new Doctor, a concept that has since become a staple of the show.
- He played the Doctor in a much more playful and comedic style than his predecessor, William Hartnell.
- He introduced many new elements to the show, such as the sonic screwdriver and the TARDIS console room.
- He starred in some of the show’s most beloved stories, such as “The Tomb of the Cybermen,” “The Enemy of the World,” and “The War Games.”
William Hartnell (1963-1966): 85% – William Hartnell was the first actor to play the role of the Doctor in the long-running British science fiction television series Doctor Who. He played the role from 1963 to 1966, and his tenure is widely regarded as one of the most iconic in the show’s history.
- He was the first actor to play the role of the Doctor, and he helped to define the character for future actors.
- He played the Doctor as a wise and eccentric old man, with a mischievous sense of humor.
- He starred in some of the show’s most beloved stories, such as “An Unearthly Child,” “The Daleks,” and “The Web Planet.”
- He helped to make Doctor Who a popular and successful show, and he is still considered one of the greatest actors to ever play the role.
Christopher Eccleston (2005): 84% – Christopher Eccleston played the Ninth Doctor in the 2005 revival of Doctor Who. He was the first actor to play the role since Sylvester McCoy left in 1989. Eccleston’s tenure as the Doctor was short, lasting only one season, but he made a lasting impression on fans.
- He brought a new level of intensity and emotion to the role.
- He played the Doctor as a complex and conflicted character.
- He starred in some of the show’s most popular stories, such as “The Empty Child,” “The Doctor Dances,” and “Dalek.”
- He helped to revitalize the show and make it a hit with a new generation of fans.
Jodie Whittaker (2017-present): 83% – Jodie Whittaker played the Thirteenth Doctor in the long-running British science fiction television series Doctor Who from 2017 to 2022. She was the first female actor to play the role, and her tenure was widely praised by critics and fans.
- She brought a new level of energy and enthusiasm to the role.
- She played the Doctor as a strong and compassionate leader.
- She starred in some of the show’s most popular stories, such as “The Woman Who Fell to Earth,” “Rosa,” and “Demons of the Punjab.”
- She helped to make Doctor Who more inclusive and accessible to a wider audience.
Paul McGann (1996): 82% – McGann played the eighth incarnation of the Doctor, in the Doctor Who 1996 television film. The television film also starred Eric Roberts, Daphne Ashbrook and featured the outgoing Seventh Doctor, Sylvester McCoy. McGann’s brother, Mark McGann, also auditioned for the title role.
Colin Baker (1984-1986): 81% – Colin Baker played the Sixth Doctor in the long-running science fiction television series Doctor Who from 1984 to 1986. His tenure as the Doctor was controversial, with some fans criticizing his costume and his characterization. However, Baker has also been praised for his performance, and his Doctor has since gained a cult following.
- His costume, designed by Pat Godfrey, was a departure from the previous Doctors’ costumes. It featured a white shirt with a question mark collar, a polka-dot cravat, and a long, flowing coat. The costume was widely criticized by fans, who felt that it made the Doctor look ridiculous.
- Baker’s characterization of the Doctor was also controversial. He played the Doctor as a more aggressive and irascible figure than his predecessors. This characterization was not well-received by all fans, but it has since been praised by some for adding depth and complexity to the role.
- Baker’s Doctor appeared in a number of memorable stories, including “The Mark of the Rani,” “Vengeance on Varos,” and “The Trial of a Time Lord.” These stories were well-received by fans and critics, and they helped to solidify Baker’s legacy as the Sixth Doctor.
- Despite the controversy surrounding his tenure, Baker has since become a popular figure among Doctor Who fans. He has appeared at numerous conventions and events, and he has even reprised the role of the Doctor in a number of audio dramas.
Sylvester McCoy (1987-1989): 80% – McCoy became the Seventh Doctor after taking over the lead role in Doctor Who in 1987 from Colin Baker. He remained on the series until it ended in 1989, ending with Survival (his twelfth and final serial as the Doctor). As Baker declined the invitation to film the regeneration scene, McCoy briefly wore a wig and appeared, face-down until the last moment before the regeneration commenced as the Sixth Doctor, with his face concealed by regeneration special effects.
John Hurt (2013): 79% – John Hurt played the War Doctor in the 2013 Doctor Who special “The Day of the Doctor”. He was the ninth incarnation of the Doctor, and the first to appear between the Eighth and Tenth Doctors.
- His introduction in the special was one of the most talked-about moments in Doctor Who history. He appeared in a dramatic sequence in which he was revealed to be the Doctor who fought in the Time War.
- He brought a sense of gravitas and intensity to the role. He was a warrior Doctor who was willing to do whatever it took to win the Time War.
- He had great chemistry with the other actors in the special, including David Tennant, Matt Smith, and Jenna Coleman.
- He gave a moving performance in the final scene of the special, in which he sacrificed himself to save Gallifrey.
William Russell (1963-1966): 78% – William Russell played Ian Chesterton, one of the Doctor’s first companions, in the first two seasons of Doctor Who. He was a science teacher who traveled with the Doctor and his granddaughter Susan on their adventures.
- He was one of the first actors to play a companion in Doctor Who, and he helped to define the role.
- He was a likable and relatable character, and he brought a sense of normalcy to the Doctor’s adventures.
- He had great chemistry with the other actors in the show, including William Hartnell, Carole Ann Ford, and Jacqueline Hill.
- He was a part of some of the show’s most iconic episodes, including “The Daleks” and “The Edge of Destruction.”
Jon Pertwee (1970-1974): 77% – Jon Pertwee’s performance as the Third Doctor was a critical and fan favorite. He helped to revive Doctor Who after a period of declining ratings, and he is still considered one of the best Doctors by many fans.
- He brought a new level of sophistication and glamour to the role.
- He was the first Doctor to have a regular companion, Jo Grant, played by Katy Manning.
- He was the first Doctor to be based on Earth, and he often worked with UNIT, a military organization that fought alien threats.
- He introduced a number of new villains to the show, including the Autons, the Sea Devils, and the Master.
- He starred in some of the most popular Doctor Who stories of all time, including “The Sea Devils”, “The Daemons”, and “The Three Doctors”.
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