All 16 Doctors’ Final Adventures in Doctor Who Before They Regenerated, Ranked

Over the 62 years that Doctor Who has been on television, there have been 16 different actors playing the main character, the Doctor. Each actor has had a final story, with varying degrees of success. The show began in November 1963 with William Hartnell as the Doctor, a mysterious alien who travels through time and space in a ship called the TARDIS, often with human friends. A special ability of the Doctor, being a Time Lord, is to change his entire physical form when he’s sick, old, or even fatally injured, which is how the show has been able to feature so many different actors in the same role.

The Doctor’s ability to regenerate has created distinct periods in the show’s history, with each new Doctor having a unique personality. Over the past 62 years, we’ve encountered 16 different versions of the Doctor, and sadly, we’ve had to say goodbye to them all. Some of their final adventures have been truly unforgettable, becoming some of the most celebrated TV episodes ever made, while others haven’t quite lived up to expectations, resulting in disappointing farewells. Here’s a ranking of those final stories, based on how well they were written, how emotionally affecting they were, and their lasting impact.

16) Eighth Doctor — “Doctor Who” (1996)

Paul McGann’s only on-screen appearance as the Eighth Doctor was in the 1996 TV movie Doctor Who. Though not intended as his last story, it’s included here. The movie was a collaborative effort between the BBC and Universal Pictures, aiming to bring the series back after it was cancelled in 1989. While McGann was well-received as a charming and sophisticated Doctor, the movie itself faced criticism for its bizarre plot, excessive style, and overacting. Although the Eighth Doctor later received a fitting conclusion in the short video ‘The Night of the Doctor’ through audio dramas, many fans wish he’d had more TV appearances.

15) Third Doctor — “Planet of the Spiders” (1974)

The six-part finale of Jon Pertwee’s time as the Third Doctor, “Planet of the Spiders” (1974), wasn’t a strong ending to his run. It suffered from slow pacing, overacting, and some unusual religious elements, and the special effects were noticeably weak. Despite the Third Doctor being a popular character, especially considering he spent much of his time on Earth, his final story was a letdown. While “Planet of the Spiders” did introduce the concept of ‘regeneration’ – something that would become central to Doctor Who – the story itself, involving psychic spiders in a remote English monastery, didn’t quite deliver the exciting conclusion the Third Doctor deserved.

14) Fifteenth Doctor — “Wish World” & “The Reality War” (2025)

It’s unfortunate that Ncuti Gatwa’s last story as the Fifteenth Doctor didn’t resonate with audiences as much as it should have. While Gatwa made history as the first Black actor to play the Doctor, his time on the show faced a lot of criticism and debate. The two-part finale, “Wish World” and “The Reality War,” tried to do too much, resulting in a convoluted and confusing plot with several awkward scenes. Bringing back the Rani was a high point, but Omega’s return felt underwhelming – he was reduced to a simple, computer-generated villain. Ultimately, the ending of Gatwa’s run, even including his regeneration into Billie Piper, was confusing and disappointing, leaving the future of Doctor Who unclear for a while.

13) Second Doctor — “The War Games” (1969)

Although the ten-part finale of Patrick Troughton’s run as the Second Doctor, “The War Games,” suffers from being overly long, uneven pacing, weak storylines, low production quality, and uninspired acting, it remains a hugely important story in Doctor Who history. It properly introduced the Time Lords – the Doctor’s own people – after only hinting at his origins in earlier episodes. The story depicts the Doctor being put on trial by the Time Lords, leading to his forced regeneration into a new form and exile to Earth. This provided a fitting and conclusive end for the Second Doctor and his companions, Jamie and Zoe, even if the story itself wasn’t as compelling as it could have been.

12) Fourteenth Doctor — “The Giggle” (2023)

David Tennant’s portrayal of the Tenth Doctor was so beloved that Russell T. Davies brought him back as the Fourteenth Doctor for the 60th anniversary specials in 2023. While these episodes were praised for their nostalgic feel, strong representation, and impressive production quality, they weren’t without issues. The concept of ‘bi-generation’ – allowing both Tennant’s and Ncuti Gatwa’s Doctors to exist at the same time – proved divisive and left some plotlines feeling unresolved. Neil Patrick Harris was a fantastic addition as the villain The Toymaker, but some viewers questioned the decision to revive such a problematic character. Surprisingly, considering the show’s increased budget, the visual effects weren’t always up to par.

11) Sixth Doctor — “The Ultimate Foe” (1986)

Colin Baker’s performance as the Sixth Doctor in his last story, 1986’s “The Ultimate Foe,” is what makes this adventure so memorable. The introduction of the Valeyard, an older, darker version of the Doctor, was a clever idea, and both Michael Jayston and Baker gave strong performances, especially during scenes within the Matrix, which really highlighted how much we’ll miss this Doctor. However, “The Ultimate Foe” felt rushed at the end, unnecessarily changed Peri Brown’s story, and suffered from some script problems that slowed down the pace. It’s disappointing Baker didn’t have more time as the Sixth Doctor, particularly since he delivered his strongest performance in this final story.

10) Thirteenth Doctor — “The Power of the Doctor” (2022)

The 2022 special, “The Power of the Doctor,” celebrated the BBC’s 100th anniversary and served as a fitting farewell to Jodie Whittaker’s time as the Thirteenth Doctor, while also acknowledging the show’s long history. Sacha Dhawan’s performance as The Master was outstanding, and the visual effects – particularly during the regeneration – were stunning. The episode had several genuinely moving moments. However, the storyline felt a bit crowded, The Master’s plan wasn’t entirely logical, and the exits of companions Yasmin Khan and Dan Lewis (especially Dan) felt underwhelming. While fans might have wished for more appearances from past Doctor Who stars, it was still an enjoyable conclusion to Jodie Whittaker’s often-controversial run as the first female Doctor.

9) Seventh Doctor — “Survival” (1989)

“Survival” wasn’t just Sylvester McCoy’s final story as the Seventh Doctor in 1989; it marked the end of the original run of Doctor Who. Though the series had been cancelled in the 1980s, this three-part adventure served as a strong conclusion to the classic era. “Survival” particularly stood out for its compelling character interactions, especially the relationship between the Doctor and Ace, and a memorable storyline for the Master. While the special effects, like the costumes for the Cheetah People, feel a bit dated now, and the story didn’t have a definitive series finale feel (as it wasn’t originally meant to be one), it was still a successful send-off. McCoy’s Doctor had a proper goodbye in the 1996 TV movie, and Ace’s return in “The Power of the Doctor” demonstrates the lasting impact both characters have had on Doctor Who.

8) Ninth Doctor — “Bad Wolf” & “The Parting of the Ways” (2005)

Christopher Eccleston’s last story as the Ninth Doctor marks the midpoint of his time playing the iconic role – and the beginning of Doctor Who‘s successful 2005 revival. Eccleston brilliantly reintroduced the show with a burst of energy, vivid imagery, intensity, and emotional resonance, reaching its peak with the excellent two-part episode, “Bad Wolf” and “The Parting of the Ways.” This story sees the Doctor, along with Rose Tyler and Jack Harkness, battling the Daleks, who have recovered their strength after the devastating Time War. While packed with surprises, humor, and dramatic moments, the episodes also feel a little dated in places, have some characters that could have been developed further, a few continuity errors, and a somewhat hurried conclusion. Despite these flaws, it’s a fitting farewell to the Ninth Doctor.

7) Fifth Doctor — “The Caves of Androzani” (1984)

The 1984 story “The Caves of Androzani” marked the end of Peter Davison’s time as the Fifth Doctor in a truly memorable Doctor Who adventure. The Doctor and his companion Peri become entangled in a conflict on the planet Androzani Minor, where two groups of humans are battling over spectrox, a substance believed to extend life. Ironically, spectrox is actually poisonous, and this is what finally gives the Doctor’s celery accessory a purpose – it changes color when he’s poisoned! With a strong script and a powerful performance by Davison, “The Caves of Androzani” delivered an emotional regeneration scene and signaled a shift in tone for Doctor Who. Though it shows its age now, it remains a beloved story for many fans.

6) War Doctor — “The Day of the Doctor” (2013)

John Hurt first appeared in Doctor Who in 2013 as a previously unknown incarnation of the Doctor, fitting into the timeline between Paul McGann’s Eighth Doctor and Christopher Eccleston’s Ninth. This version, known as the War Doctor, fought in the devastating Time War and ultimately destroyed Gallifrey using a powerful device called the Moment. Hurt gave a memorable performance in the show’s 50th anniversary special, “The Day of the Doctor,” where he regenerated into the Ninth Doctor. While the War Doctor’s role was brief, some fans felt it would have been more compelling to explore the darker side of the Eighth Doctor instead of introducing such a celebrated actor like John Hurt for a limited part. Still, it was a welcome addition to a fantastic anniversary episode, and most viewers were pleased with it.

5) First Doctor — “The Tenth Planet” (1966)

Things really start to get interesting around this point in Doctor Who history. As William Hartnell’s health declined in 1966 while playing the First Doctor, the show’s creators came up with a clever solution: regeneration, allowing them to replace the actor. This first happened in the 1966 story “The Tenth Planet,” which also introduced the Cybermen, one of the Doctor’s most iconic enemies. The story, featuring the destruction of Earth’s twin planet Mondas, had a strong plot, good direction, and memorable characters. It was a pivotal moment for the show, marking the very first regeneration. While it’s a little slow-paced, the science isn’t always accurate, and it definitely shows its age, “The Tenth Planet” remains a fantastic send-off for Hartnell’s portrayal of the First Doctor.

4) Eleventh Doctor — “The Time of the Doctor” (2013)

As a huge fan, I remember being really worried when Matt Smith’s time as the Doctor was coming to an end in 2013. The show had already established that Time Lords only get twelve regenerations, and it felt like the Doctor was quickly using them up, especially with that fake regeneration in “Journey’s End” and then the War Doctor being introduced. That Christmas special, “The Time of the Doctor,” was so intense! The Doctor ended up on this planet called Trenzalore, and all these classic villains kept attacking him. It was amazing to see so many monsters together, but it also made his ending so sad and emotional. I’ll never forget Clara desperately trying to get the Time Lords to give him more lives! It was a perfect goodbye to Matt Smith’s Doctor, even though the show later revealed the Timeless Child story – that ending still holds up as beautifully emotional for me.

3) Fourth Doctor — “Logopolis” (1981)

Tom Baker’s last adventure as the Fourth Doctor in the 1981 story “Logopolis” was controversial when it first aired, but is now considered a classic Doctor Who tale. Baker holds the record for playing the Doctor the longest, and this story paired him with his longtime foe, the Master, in a desperate attempt to save the universe – which the Master had accidentally begun to destroy. While the complex plot doesn’t always flow smoothly, its ambition is impressive, and the interactions between the Doctor, the Master, and companions Adric, Nyssa, and Tegan are exceptionally well done. Ultimately, “Logopolis” provided a suitably memorable and evocative conclusion to Tom Baker’s time as the Fourth Doctor – a version many fans consider to be one of the best.

2) Twelfth Doctor — “Twice Upon a Time” (2017)

Although “The Tenth Planet” initially marked the end of the First Doctor’s adventures, he later shared a hidden encounter with his future incarnation, the Twelfth Doctor (played by Peter Capaldi), in the 2017 Christmas special, “Twice Upon a Time.” This episode featured the Twelfth Doctor confronting his past memories after the loss of Bill Potts – who briefly became a Cyberman but was rescued by a pilot named Heather. The chemistry between Capaldi and David Bradley (playing the First Doctor) was fantastic. “Twice Upon a Time” was a moving, visually impressive, and realistic story, full of great character interactions and a touching script that provided a perfect ending to Capaldi’s run as the Doctor.

1) Tenth Doctor — “The End of Time — Parts 1 and 2” (2009 & 2010)

Many fans consider Tom Baker the best Doctor of the classic series, and David Tennant arguably holds that same title for the modern era of Doctor Who. Tennant first played the Tenth Doctor from 2005 to 2010, and his final episode, “The End of Time,” is widely considered one of the most powerful and moving stories in the show’s 62-year run. In it, after a battle with the Master and the return of Gallifrey to the Time War, the Doctor bravely sacrifices himself to save Wilfred Mott (the beloved Bernard Cribbins), demonstrating his immense compassion despite his fear of changing into a new form. “The End of Time” represents the peak of Doctor Who, and remains the most impactful farewell to a Doctor so far.

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2025-11-21 18:44