Every incarnation of The Doctor ranked. One of the reasons why Doctor Who has been able to run for 60 years is because every time a Doctor dies the character regenerates into a new version of themselves. It’s an ingenious trick, both in the story and behind the scenes.
This has kept Doctor Who fresh and fun, allowing the audience to see many, many different sides to The Doctor (who always remains the same fundamental character). Because there have been so many iterations, there has always been a heated debate about which version of the TARDIS Traveler is the best. Of course, it’s entirely down to personal preference, but we’ve momentarily put down our Lego Doctor Who sets in order to create our own version ranking.
The 13th Doctor – Jodie Whittaker
Let’s make this clear right from the off. Jodie Whittaker could have been a great Doctor. The issue has nothing to do with the fact that the Doctor became a woman. In fact, the change was one we were especially excited about and one that opened up a world of possibilities. But someone had to be at the bottom of the list.
The problem with the 13th Doctor was the quality of the stories she was given, as well as her characterization. Chris Chibnall turned Whittaker’s Doctor into something the character had never previously been: childish.
Chibnall made the Doctor into an immature, awkward, emotionally stunted character. It’s a fundamental misunderstanding, and it isn’t helped by the fact that the Doctor Who companions she gets are so depressingly underwhelming. She is also burdened with some of the worst episodes of all time, including Kerblam!, Spyfall Part Two, and Legend of the Sea Devils.
We’re looking forward to the next time the Doctor is a woman because if the 13th Doctor did anything positive, it proved that the change in the character’s gender is no big deal. While we’re on the topic, may we politely suggest that T’Nia Miller of Flanaverse fame is born for the role?
The 6th Doctor – Colin Baker
The 6th Doctor isn’t particularly likable. In fact, he’s patronizing, arrogant, and dismissive. This is a pretty big departure from what had come before, and while the character had always had an arrogant side to his personality, it had rarely been so central or prominent.
The idea that The Doctor isn’t necessarily a pleasant person to spend time with is a really interesting one and is something that has been picked up on by subsequent Doctors. The 10th, 11th, and 12th Doctors all have moments of arrogance that can be traced back to the 6th Doctor. However, as a standalone version of the character, the sixth Doctor feels unbalanced.
The 1st Doctor – William Hartnell and David Bradley
William Hartnell has to receive some credit for the fact that he was the first pioneering Doctor. He had no template to follow, and while this is impressive, it also shows that the character lacks the depth that he would find in later incarnations. Of course, it’s also worth mentioning that for modern audiences, Hartnell’s stories have accessibility issues, and some episodes from his run remain lost forever.
In the modern era, David Bradley has shown up as the 1st Doctor, in place of Hartnell, twice. In both instances, he gave a hint of who the 1st Doctor was (straight-laced and very proper) while also teasing that there may be more under the surface. If Bradley were, for example, to get his own mini-series as the 1st Doctor, we’re sure he’d soon become a fan favorite.
The 5th Doctor – Peter Davison
Davison proved that the character could be young and vulnerable and didn’t necessarily have to have the overt confidence and authority of Doctors of the past. This has been huge for the character’s subsequent regenerations, and you can draw a direct line from the 5th Doctor to later Doctors like 10 and 11.
The downside is that because the 5th Doctor is doing something almost entirely new, he can be hit and miss. He isn’t a hugely memorable Doctor and won’t be at the top of the list as many people’s favorite.
The 7th Doctor – Sylvester McCoy
McCoy’s stint as The Doctor was poorly received at the time (and, partly, this hastened the show’s cancellation), but since then his reputation has greatly improved. McCoy worked particularly well as The Doctor when he was paired up with Ace, and he was able to be almost simultaneously foolish, clown-like, and threatening. His outfit is also one of the better ones, with his cozy-looking V-neck jumper and iconic umbrella.
The 2nd Doctor – Patrick Troughton
Troughton’s Doctor was the first time that The Doctor had regenerated on screen, so there was a lot riding on his success. Thankfully, he managed to reinvent the character in a positive way, adding more life and depth to The Doctor.
He brought a swashbuckling spirit while also making the character much more manipulative and flawed. Troughton’s Doctor was a big step forward and showed that The Doctor had many more aspects to his personality than had previously been revealed.
The 3rd Doctor – Jon Pertwee
A capable martial artist, the 3rd Doctor was a huge pivot away from the 2nd Doctor. He was a much more serious, scientifically minded character, with a magnetic charisma and charm. You can see echoes of the 3rd Doctor still present in later versions, like the 10th and 12th Doctors, and the essence of the 3rd Doctor has remained present in the character ever since his regeneration, bubbling underneath the character’s surface to varying degrees.
The 11th Doctor – Matt Smith
Matt Smith was a good Doctor, and don’t let anyone tell you otherwise. His version of The Doctor was one that was full of unbridled curiosity, charisma, enthusiasm, and eccentricities. Sometimes, those eccentricities became The Doctor’s overriding personality trait, and that is when the character could feel a bit one-note and too much of a departure from what had come before.
However, more often than not, Smith’s 11th Doctor was an endearing, engaging version of the timelord who worked especially well with the supporting cast around him.
The 12th Doctor – Peter Capaldi
Capaldi is perhaps the biggest known name to take on the role of The Doctor. Before his run, he established himself in the political comedy series The Thick of It and had appearances in big blockbusters too, like zombie movie World War Z. Peter Capaldi’s era came at a time when the modern era of the series was beginning to feel like it was running out of steam. Steven Moffat’s writing had grown somewhat tired, and the sci-fi drama series had lost a lot of momentum.
But, you have to separate the quality of the show from the character of The Doctor, and in moments, Capaldi is the perfect Doctor. I’m specifically thinking of the episodes in which the character has his velvet jacket, waistcoat, and long hair. That aesthetic, coupled with his portrayal, seems to be exactly as The Doctor should be.
But, that perfection is fleeting. His characterization in series 10, as the tired but laid-back rock and roll professor, doesn’t work nearly half as well. Capaldi has the highest highs, such as with Heaven Sent, but also some pretty low lows. That makes ranking him incredibly difficult, but it’s impossible to ignore that when he’s at his best, he is the best.
The 9th Doctor – Christopher Eccleston
Eccleston brought toughness and grit to the character, which was a significant departure from what we’d seen before – but in a good and very necessary way. Eccleston’s Doctor was raw and angry but learned that he still had space for hope.
That character arc, even though it only takes place over the course of a single season, is enough. It cements him as one of the great Doctors, and his chemistry with Rose was the foundation for the success of the rebooted TV series.
The 4th Doctor – Tom Baker
Tom Baker is the definitive classic Who Doctor. With his suave hat and exceptionally long scarf, the 4th Doctor is the embodiment of The Doctor’s most recognizable character traits: a sense of fun, inquisitiveness, and the ability to be threatening when pushed. He is enigmatic, unpredictable, and completely unforgettable.
The 8th Doctor – Paul McGann
Paul McGann is Doctor Who’s secret weapon. Despite his tiny amount of time in the role of the 8th Doctor in the science fiction movie for TV, McGann cemented himself as one of the great Doctors.
His gothic TARDIS is the greatest of all time and is complimented by the 8th Doctor’s effortless charm. Underneath that lies a simmering weariness, and like all the best Doctors, McGann’s version is a deep and complex character. Please, Doctor Who, find some way to give him more screen time.
The 10th Doctor – David Tennant
David Tennant is one of the more obvious picks for the greatest incarnation of The Doctor, and for good reason. He brings the youthful energy of the character to the fore, combining it with that deep, ancient wisdom. This makes the character feel fresh and new while also retaining the fundamental aspects of The Doctor’s personality, including in some of the scariest Doctor Who episodes of recent years.
This ability to touch on different emotions and traits, and flick between them with ease, is what makes Tennant so popular. His character is nuanced and real in the way that a 900-year-old alien should be.
Now, Tennant is the 14th Doctor as well as the 10th Doctor and will get one last shot at the role in the Doctor Who 60th-anniversary specials before handing the baton over to Ncuti Gatwa, who will officially take on the role of the 15th Doctor in Doctor Who season 14. That’s a lot of Doctors! We wouldn’t have it any other way.
For more time-traveling fun, check out our guide to the 15th Doctor’s companion and the creepiest Doctor Who stories to revisit this Halloween, or learn about Beep the Meep.