All 17 Physician Who Docs, Ranked Worst to Finest

Physician Who is the world's longest-running science fiction TV present, and right here's our rating of the Physician's varied incarnations. Regeneration is the “secret sauce” of Physician Whosuccess; the Physician could also be timeless, however the energy of regeneration means the present is consistently evolving. A regeneration cap briefly appeared to supply an ominous restrict to the Physician's longevity, however the Matt Smith period bypassed it (and is now fully irrelevant, given the Timeless Little one retcon).

Naturally, there's intense debate in terms of classifying Docs. Everybody has their favourite, usually formed by their very own childhood; It's virtually inconceivable to be neutral as a result of medical doctors are so totally different. Nonetheless, right here is our rating, making an allowance for:

• The actor's efficiency

• The standard of your writing

• The character's overarching arc

• Interplay with supporting forged

17

Colin Baker

1984-1986

Sadly, the underside of the record can solely be Colin Baker's Sixth Physician. Baker intervened at a time of disaster when senior BBC figures had been actively working to cancel Physician Whoand there have been many errors within the writing; the present leaned towards a sure darkish edginess, with the Physician himself supposedly experiencing a regeneration gone improper that left him extra violent than ever. His opening story even noticed him attempt to strangle his companion. Even the costume appeared cringe-worthy.

With the advantage of hindsight, Colin Baker by no means received the possibility to shine on display screen; he didn't even get a correct regeneration story. That stated, Baker has had many extra alternatives in different media, notably some wonderful audio from Huge End. These demonstrated how badly the Physician Who The TV present wasted him as an actor.

16

Jodie Whittaker

2018-2022

The primary girl to play the Physician, Jodie Whittaker is a unbelievable and proficient actress who nonetheless struggled to ascertain her personal id within the position.. The issue actually lay in showrunner Chris Chibnall's writing and total route, as a result of Whittaker's Physician usually felt extra like a passive observer than a dynamic drive of nature, and lots of monologues had been rendered flat by having her merely stand nonetheless. - that means the scenes lacked a way of momentum. These points had been progressively resolved in direction of the tip of his time period, nevertheless it was too little too late.

There are occasional moments of brilliance, scenes the place Whittaker lastly will get the possibility to show his personal ability. This was most notable in Movementa season-long story created to assist the present cope with the complexities of filming throughout COVID. Even so, its effectiveness was hampered by the story's narrative inconsistencies. There may be nice anticipation for Whittaker's Huge End debut, the place many are hoping that stronger writing will enhance the Thirteenth Physician's arc.

15

Paulo McGann

1996

It virtually appears unfair to rank Paul McGann on this record; he solely had two probabilities to play the Physician on display screen. The primary was within the 1996 TV film, which is mostly seen as a failure as a result of unlucky resolution to provide the Physician post-regeneration amnesia; It's very troublesome for an actor to create a powerful sense of a personality as complicated because the Physician when the Physician himself doesn't know who he's. McGann returned in 2013 for “The Evening of the Physician,” a particular minisode that lastly advised him a narrative of regeneration.

As with many of those inferior entries, although, McGann's Physician shines in different media. The BBC ran a unbelievable Eighth Physician run from 1996 to 2005 (even giving him a Time Battle - most likely inspiration for the Russell T. Davies arc). McGann beloved getting the possibility to play the Physician within the Huge End audios, proving as soon as once more that he was a tragically missed alternative for the Physician Who TV program.

14

Jo Martin

2020-2022

The Thirteenth Physician period launched the overwhelming concept of ​​the Timeless Little one, giving the Physician pre-Hartnell incarnations. One in every of these was Jo Martin's Fugitive Physician, who crossed paths together with his future self in "Judoon Runner" and would return a number of occasions throughout Whittaker's tenure. Martin auditioned for the position of a tour information and by no means anticipated to play the Physician, a job by which she really excelled.

Physician Fugitive seems on the backside of this record just because she has had little or no growth. Martin was by no means the star of her personal collection (though she is returning in Huge End audiodramas), and author/showrunner Chris Chibnall intentionally left a lot of her story imprecise. But, there's an enchanting sense of character continuity between Martin's assured, harmful portrayal and Hartnell's preliminary incarnation. She is to be congratulated for doing this.

13

William Hartnell

1963-1966

Most viewers usually agree with the highest three entries on this rating, nevertheless it might be controversial to provide William Hartnell such a low place. The primary motive for this classification is that Hartnell performed the Physician earlier than the character actually took form, which suggests he doesn't fairly match into who the Physician has develop into. Taking a look at their tales, you'll be able to see the foundations upon which a lot extra can be constructed; however there are additionally errors and errors, parts that had been rapidly deserted.

Hartnell's physician began out as an irascible previous man, however matured over time and have become a form, compassionate grandfather determine to so many enticing companions. Sadly, the actor handed away in 1975, however the First Physician was later introduced again by Richard Hurndall (in "The 5 Docs") and David Bradley ("Twice Upon A Time", "The Energy of the Physician"). The First Physician's most up-to-date appearances have come beneath heavy criticism for overdoing the character's informal and dated sexism.

12

Peter Davison

1982-1984

It's time for one more controversial one: Peter Davison's Fifth Physician. The youngest actor to play the position (on the time), Davison generally struggled to convey the sense of confidence that resides within the coronary heart of an historic and timeless being. That stated, he's notably notable for the super dynamics of his supporting forged; The Davison period was the primary by which the companions actually felt like that they had arcs of their very own, one which intersected with the Physician.

Davison is most fondly remembered for his epic story of regeneration, "The Caves of Androzani." which gave him the possibility to imbue his Physician with a sharper edge than ever earlier than. Whereas this foreshadows the stumbles of the Sixth Physician's period, it's the distinction between "The Caves of Androzani" and Davison's different tales that actually makes it work so successfully. It's maybe one of the best story of regeneration in Physician Who historical past.

11

Ncuti Gatwa

2023-?

The final incarnation of the Physician, Ncuti Gatwa's fifteenth physician nonetheless seems like he's recovering. Trendy Physician Who labored exhausting to provide the Physician a way of character continuity, however this has sadly been lacking from Gatwa's tales thus far; actually, many argue that there are "higher" viewing orders for Physician Who season 14. Nonetheless, Gatwa's portrayal in episodes like “Growth”, “Dot and Bubble” and “Rogue” is unbelievable, displaying his potential.

Gatwa will return this yr in Physician Who season 15, when many hope among the errors from its first season can be ironed out. That is, nevertheless, unlikely; the 2 seasons had been filmed again to again earlier than season 14 aired, which suggests It's too early to anticipate a course correction. We hope there can be a future course correction sooner or later.

10

David Tenant

2022-2023

David Tennant has the curious distinction of being the one actor to play two variations of the Physician. He returned alongside Russell T. Davies as a part of Physician Whocelebrations of the movie's sixtieth anniversary, and Tennant relished the chance to play the position once more. This was a subtly totally different physician, older and wiser, however now coping with the brand new trauma of “Flux.”

This felt like a form of Final Hurray, with Tennant additionally reunited with Catherine Tate's Donna Noble. He starred in three sixtieth anniversary specials, all written by Davies, giving the Fourteenth Physician one other sturdy arc. Some thought he took away Gatwa's shine a bit of in “The Giggle”, nevertheless it was all very nicely obtained.

9

Christopher Eccleston

2005

Christopher Eccleston was an unusually high-profile actor to play the position of the Physician when the present returned in 2005, courtesy of showrunner Russell T. Davies. He was a really totally different Physician, a traumatized Time Lord who struggled to cope with the ache he suffered throughout the Time Battle. Not solely did the Time Battle serve to wipe the slate clear, it additionally gave the Ninth Physician an extremely sturdy arc. He laid the foundations for modernity Physician Who.

In trendy Whothe companion serves because the viewers surrogate, the window by way of which viewers expertise the Physician. The dynamic between Eccleston and Billie Piper's Rose was completely electricalparticularly in episodes like “Dalek” and “Father’s Day”. Sadly, Eccleston left beneath a cloud after the battle with Davies, leaving unhealthy blood that meant he stayed away from even Huge End till lately.

8

John injured

2013

The late John Damage made a surprising debut in “The Title of a Physician,” in a landmark scene by which Jenna Coleman's Clara Oswald was blown up within the Physician's timeline. Referred to as the Battle Physician, Damage's Time Lord incarnation suffered throughout the Time Battle. It was he who lastly made the choice to destroy the Daleks and the Time Lords, for the great of the galaxy - or so he thought, with "The Day of the Physician" revealing the reality.

Damage's Battle Physician is a unbelievable character, tortured by the battle he was part of. "The Day of the Physician" is well among the finest Physician Who tales of all timelargely due to Damage's interplay with Matt Smith and David Tennant, and partly due to Damage's sturdy arc. In the long run, he found that he was the Physician in any case, saving Gallifrey with the assistance of his future self.

7

Jon Pertwee

1970-1974

Now let's return to the traditional Physician Whothe unbelievable Jon Pertwee. “The Battle Video games” left the newly regenerated Third Physician exiled to Earth, one of the crucial dramatic relaunches within the collection' historical past, with a bigger supporting forged than ever earlier than. Pertwee discovered himself on the coronary heart of a household involving actors equivalent to Roger Delgado, Katy Manning and Nicholas Courtney. It's no exaggeration to say that he beloved it and that zeal confirmed in his efficiency. Pertwee's Physician was extra like James Bond than the rest (full with Venusian Aikido and love of autos).

Pertwee lastly left because the household started to interrupt up. The tragic dying of Roger Delgado in 1973 served because the catalyst for this, and Manning got here out later that yr in “The Inexperienced Dying.” Pertwee capped all of it off with a memorable (if dated) story, "Planet of the Spiders," which tried to carry collectively the terrestrial and cosmic scales of his life. Physician Who was. Your abiding love for Physician Who is clearly demonstrated in the truth that his memoir was merely titled "I Am The Physician".

6

Patrick Troughton

1966-1969

Trendy viewers are inclined to overlook what a regeneration of play it was. When Patrick Troughton took over as Second Physician, he was doing one thing nobody had tried earlier than, and the dangers had been excessive. His regeneration story, “The Energy of the Daleks,” works nicely; the Physician's companions are as complicated and unsure because the viewers and take time to win over, really serving as viewers surrogates. From the start, Troughton's Physician was unpredictable and eccentric, virtually inconceivable to pin down.

This was Troughton's genius. His physician knew he was the neatest man within the room and had a way of darkness that meant villains usually thought he had switched sides (and generally viewers puzzled too). Nonetheless, he is also splendidly charming and virtually clownish, which made him a delight. Troughton set the usual for thus many future medical doctorswith Matt Smith specifically indebted to Troughton for his inspiration.

5

Pedro Capaldi

2014-2017

ONE Physician Who A fan since childhood, Peter Capaldi's Twelfth Physician was one other very totally different model of the Time Lord. His authentic arc centered on the Physician attempting to resolve what sort of man he actually was, struggling to reinvent himself after a regeneration he by no means thought would occur. Physician Who Season 8 didn't win individuals over, and the story modified barely in later seasons. Capaldi's troublesome begin proved to be the start of a real tour de drive.

Capaldi's Physician was far more emotionally reserved than earlier modern-era incarnations Physician Whoand this allowed her to play nicely in opposition to the likes of Jenna Coleman and Michelle Gomez (whose Girls's Masters foreshadowed the debut of Jodie Whittaker). There’s an depth to Capaldi’s efficiency that makes episodes like “Face the Raven” and “Heaven Despatched” work so nicely. It is going to hardly shock viewers to see Capaldi so excessive on this rating.

4

Sylvester McCoy

1987-1996

Sylvester McCoy's Seventh Physician arrived at one of many lowest factors in historical past. Physician Whostory, because the present struggled to outlive. That is the tragedy of the McCoy period; his efficiency (and his unbelievable dynamic with Sophie Aldred) paved the best way for Physician Whofuture, nevertheless it was already too late. Physician Who it was canceled in 1989, though McCoy reprized the position of the Physician within the ill-fated 1996 TV film.

McCoy's Physician began out as comical, however grew to become more and more darker as his period continued. It was closely influenced by the so-called “Cartmel Masterplan”, a intelligent technique by script editor Andrew Cartmel, which aimed to revive the thriller of the Physician. There's a lot concerning the Seventh Physician's period that trendy viewers take with no consideration; a extra serialized strategy, an arc for the companions, and a willingness to extra straight confront modern politics. McCoy's departure impressed the favored New Adventures novels, which noticed Physician Who develop quite a bit through the years (perhaps a bit of an excessive amount of).

3

Tom Baker

1974-1981

Tom Baker grew to become the definitive physician in virtually each traditional Physician Who spectatorslargely as a result of size of his mandate. The Fourth Physician, Baker's vary made him not like any of his predecessors; he was even higher at shifting from darkish depth to comedian buffoonery than Patrick Troughton. Sarcastically, Baker's rising confidence turned out to be an issue; he grew to become considerably irritating to work with, very certain of the Physician's route, reluctant to alter.

Even now, Baker is emblematic of the traditional Who: The Physician as a madman in a blue field, stumbling from disaster to disaster, unable to withstand getting concerned. It's inconceivable to current an entire record of traditional tales that had been enhanced by his presence, however they embrace such unforgettable tales as “Genesis of the Daleks,” “Horror of Fang Rock,” and “The Lethal Murderer.” Baker shouldn't be underestimated and deserves a excessive rating on this record.

2

David Tenant

2005-2010

Tom Baker outlined traditional Physician Whohowever there's a sense by which David Tennant defines the trendy period. Probably the most well-known actor to play the Physician beneath showrunner Russell T. Davies, Tennant has all of it; a sure whimsical allure when he needs to, a brooding depth at different occasions and a loopy insanity that made some moments unforgettable. He additionally has a really sturdy arc, which culminates within the controversial “Time Lord Victorious” tales.

Traditional Physician Who viewers had been shocked by Tennant's Tenth Physician, not least as a result of This was an incarnation who was more than pleased to have a romp within the TARDIS. He solely is available in second on this record as a result of, on this author's opinion, his dynamic with Billie Piper's Rose wasn't that sturdy; season 2 was a weak begin to the Tennant period, and he would go on to surpass it on many alternative events. But, Physician Who it will by no means be as massive within the UK because it was beneath Tennant.

1

Matt Smith

2010-2013

It's very troublesome to decide on between Matt Smith and David Tennant for the highest spot on this rating, however Smith reaches a bit of greater due to the consistency of his arc. A tremendously expert actor, Smith modeled his Eleventh Physician on Patrick Troughton, proper all the way down to the bow tie; his Physician goes from eccentric silliness to brooding menace at warp pace. Smith can also be notable for the ability with which he performs in opposition to so many different actors, most notably Karen Gillen, Arthur Darvill and Alex Kingston.

Smith's Physician confronted the problem of successful over viewers when he got here in proper behind David Tennant. "The Eleventh Hour" received over the bulk instantly (together with a unbelievable monologue from the Physician), and it went from energy to energy all through its tenure. There's a sense by which Smith's is probably the most humane physician - the primary to completely bask in human sexuality, even having a crush on a personality in a e book - however he's additionally very unusual and insecure. He seems like an historic being in a younger, male human physique, an ideal portrait of Physician Whothe best hero.