For over six decades, seventeen actors have portrayed the iconic time-traveling Doctor in Doctor Who, each leaving their mark with memorable first and final lines. The Doctor, originally a being from another universe known as the Timeless Child, has the unique ability to regenerate into a new body when facing illness, injury, or death. This power was used by the people of Gallifrey to become the Time Lords, the most formidable beings in time and space. The Doctor’s regeneration ability has also been key to the show’s incredible run, making Doctor Who the longest-running science fiction series in television history.
Since William Hartnell first played the Doctor in 1963, there have been seventeen different actors in the role. This includes Billie Piper’s unexpected return in 2025. Each time the Doctor regenerates, it significantly changes the show’s tone and introduces a new era with a completely different personality. A Doctor’s first words often reveal their new persona, while their final lines usually offer a poignant goodbye to their time traveling in the TARDIS.
17) First Doctor (William Hartnell)
Before becoming the first Doctor in 1963, William Hartnell often played characters in the military, and he used that experience to create a stern and disciplined personality for the Time Lord. This was immediately apparent in his very first line – a direct, “What are you doing here?” – delivered when he and his granddaughter, Susan (Carole Ann Ford), were questioned by her teachers, Ian (William Russell) and Barbara (Jacqueline Hill), near the TARDIS, beginning their incredible journey.
In the 1966 episode “The Tenth Planet,” the First Doctor spoke his last words during a fight with the Cybermen. He was feeling unwell and, showing how much he cared for his companions Polly (Anneke Wills) and Ben (Michael Craze), simply said, “Thank you. It’s good. Keep warm.” He then regenerated while sleeping in the TARDIS, bringing the original run of Doctor Who to a close.
16) Second Doctor (Patrick Troughton)
The very first scenes featuring the Second Doctor were lost by the BBC, but they’ve been brought back to life through animation. In his debut from the 1966 serial “The Power of the Daleks,” Patrick Troughton’s Doctor was disoriented and recovering from the effects of changing into a new body. He famously stammered, “Slower, slower! Concentrate on one thing. One thing! It’s over. It’s over,” as he adjusted to his new self – and very few incarnations of the Doctor have shown such a dramatic impact from regeneration since then.
In the 1969 episode “The War Games,” the Second Doctor faced judgment from the Time Lords for his unsanctioned adventures across space and time. As punishment, he was forced to change into the Third Doctor and banished to Earth. Although he resigned himself to this fate, the process of regeneration was deeply upsetting, culminating in his desperate and heartbreaking final words: “No! Stop, you’re making me giddy! No! You can’t do this to me! No! No, no, no, no, no, no, no!”
15) Third Doctor (Jon Pertwee)
When I first saw Jon Pertwee become the Third Doctor in “Spearhead from Space,” it was amazing – it was the very first Doctor Who story filmed in color! It was a little different from previous regenerations; he wasn’t as dramatically affected, but he was definitely confused. The very first thing he did after waking up in the hospital was frantically searching for his shoes! His first words were hilarious – “Shoes, must find my shoes. Unhand me, Madam!” – all while he was trying to figure out how to get back to the TARDIS. Before that happened, though, he ended up working with UNIT while he was stuck on Earth.
In the 1974 story “Planet of the Spiders,” the Third Doctor succumbed to a fatal dose of radiation while in a spider cave, passing away before Sarah Jane Smith (Elisabeth Sladen) and Brigadier Lethbridge-Stewart (Nicholas Courtney). He didn’t even finish saying, “A tear, Sarah Jane? No, don’t cry. While there’s life, there’s…” before his death. Jon Pertwee’s portrayal of the Doctor was beloved by fans, making this a particularly poignant farewell.
14) Fourth Doctor (Tom Baker)
Saying goodbye to Jon Pertwee was difficult, but many fans consider Tom Baker’s portrayal of the Fourth Doctor to be one of the very best. He famously began his first episode in 1974, after regenerating, by mumbling about a previous encounter with Sarah Jane and a Sontaran named Linx: “Typical Sontaran attitude… stop, Linx… course of human history…” This appearance in the story “Robot” marked the start of Tom Baker’s impressive run as the Doctor, making him the actor who played the role for the longest period.
In 1981, after seven years as the Doctor, Tom Baker’s final episode was “Logopolis.” The story began with the Doctor working alongside his old enemy, the Master (played by Anthony Ainley), to save the universe. However, the Master then tried to kill the Doctor by leaving him to fall from a great height. As the Doctor began to regenerate, he told his companions, “It’s the end. But the moment has been prepared for.” This triggered a strange scene where a mysterious figure called the Watcher merged with the Doctor, initiating his transformation into a new incarnation.
13) Fifth Doctor (Peter Davison)
Regeneration is usually a disorienting experience for the Doctor, and Peter Davison captured this brilliantly in the 1982 story, “Castrovalva.” After changing, the Fifth Doctor is discovered by Adric, fiddling with the Fourth Doctor’s scarf. He then introduces himself, saying, “Ah. You’ve come to help me find the Zero Room. Welcome aboard. I’m the Doctor. Or will be if this regeneration works out.” This scene perfectly illustrated the profound changes that happen during a regeneration, with the Doctor even needing to reintroduce himself to a well-known companion.
In the 1984 story “The Caves of Androzani,” both the Fifth Doctor and his new companion, Peri Brown, were poisoned. The Doctor had only one dose of the antidote and selflessly gave it to Peri, leading to his own death. As he regenerated, he felt it was different from previous regenerations, and he repeatedly called out the name “Adric,” a companion who had died earlier in the Doctor’s adventures. This final word was significant, reminding viewers of that previous loss.
12) Sixth Doctor (Colin Baker)
Colin Baker’s portrayal of the Sixth Doctor was immediately divisive and often criticized. He played the Doctor as harsh, unpredictable, and distant, a significant departure from the warmer, more playful personality of his predecessor. This abrupt change was immediately apparent; shortly after regenerating, he famously asked Peri Brown, “You were expecting someone else?,” highlighting his initial rudeness and directness.
Colin Baker’s time as Doctor Who ended abruptly due to internal issues, resulting in his character’s regeneration right at the start of the 1987 story, “Time and the Rani.” This made his final lines from the previous year’s “The Ultimate Foe” – a repetitive chant of “Carrot juice, carrot juice, carrot juice…” – feel pointless. He was echoing the attempts of his companion, Melanie Bush (played by Bonnie Langford), to get him to drink carrot juice for health reasons.
11) Seventh Doctor (Sylvester McCoy)
Following the often-chaotic time of the Sixth Doctor, Colin Baker didn’t want to film his character changing into the Seventh Doctor. So, Sylvester McCoy actually played the Sixth Doctor for a short time before becoming the Seventh. After being held captive by the Rani, he famously woke up and said, “That was a nice nap. Now, down to business. I’m a bit worried about the temporal flicker in sector 13.” This was a remarkably fast recovery from the regeneration process, and he immediately jumped into a fight with another Time Lord.
As a longtime fan, I always felt Sylvester McCoy deserved a better send-off than the 1996 TV movie gave him. While the movie’s final line – “Come on, Ace – we’ve got work to do!” – felt a bit rushed, his last moments in the 1989 serial Survival truly resonated. It wasn’t a grand speech, but a desperate, fading realization – “Timing malfunction! The Master, he’s out there! He’s out there… I know… I’ve got to stop… him…” – as he succumbed to a gunshot wound. It was a much more impactful ending, even if it wasn’t as dramatically poignant as Survival itself. Seeing the Seventh Doctor get some closure was good, but that final, fragmented plea felt far more fitting for the character.
10) Eighth Doctor (Paul McGann)
In 1996, BBC Worldwide and Universal Pictures attempted to bring back Doctor Who with a TV movie starring Paul McGann as the new, and dashing, Eighth Doctor. Like previous incarnations, he was initially disoriented after regenerating, even asking, “Who am I?” He ultimately recovered and joined forces with Grace Holloway (Daphne Ashbrook) to battle the Master (Eric Roberts), but this marked his only appearance on television until 2013.
After John Hurt first appeared as the War Doctor in “The Name of the Doctor,” leading up to his role in the 50th anniversary episode “The Day of the Doctor,” Paul McGann returned in the short prequel “The Night of the Doctor.” This minisode explained how he transformed into the War Doctor. The Sisterhood of Karn gave him a special potion that let him decide what traits his next form would have. He famously said, “Physician, heal thyself,” and then regenerated into the War Doctor, preparing to fight in the Time War.
9) War Doctor (John Hurt)
John Hurt first appeared as the War Doctor in 2013’s “The Name of the Doctor,” but didn’t actually speak until “The Night of the Doctor.” This version of the Doctor rejected the name ‘Doctor’ because he had become a warrior fighting the Daleks in the Time War, famously declaring, “Doctor no more.” He later joined forces with his other selves – the Tenth (David Tennant) and Eleventh (Matt Smith) Doctors – in “The Day of the Doctor” to ultimately save Gallifrey.
As a huge Doctor Who fan, one of my favorite moments is the end of the War Doctor’s story. After everything he went through in the Time War – and finally saving Gallifrey in “The Day of the Doctor” – he was clearly exhausted. He went back into the TARDIS to regenerate, hoping to leave all those painful memories behind. It’s a funny little moment – he jokes about hoping his ears won’t be so noticeable next time! Apparently, Christopher Eccleston, who played the Ninth Doctor, was self-conscious about his ears, and it even caused some awkwardness on set during the 2005 season. It’s a small detail, but it adds a lot of character to the whole thing.
8) Ninth Doctor (Christopher Eccleston)
After being off the air since 1989 (and putting aside a one-off TV movie in 1996), Doctor Who returned in 2005 thanks to Russell T. Davies. Christopher Eccleston starred as the Doctor, and his first line – simply “Run!” – was delivered to his new companion, Rose Tyler (Billie Piper). This immediately showcased Davies’ vision for a faster-paced, more action-filled Doctor Who for a new generation.
Christopher Eccleston portrayed the Ninth Doctor for just one season, departing in “The Parting of the Ways” amid reports of difficulties behind the scenes. In a dramatic exit, the Doctor saved Rose Tyler’s life by absorbing the energy of the TARDIS’s heart, which ultimately meant his own demise. He had a poignant opportunity to say goodbye, telling Rose, “You were fantastic. Absolutely fantastic. And d’you know what? So was I!” While his farewell was both moving and complete, fans still hope to see Eccleston reprise the role someday.
7) Tenth Doctor (David Tennant)
Many fans consider Tom Baker the best Doctor from the original series, but David Tennant earned that title for the show’s modern era as the Tenth Doctor. He first appeared in the 2005 episode “The Parting of the Ways” and then starred in his first full adventure, “The Christmas Invasion,” that year’s Christmas special. Tennant immediately established his Doctor’s quirky, easily-distracted personality with his opening lines – “Hello. OK, mmm. New teeth. That’s weird. So where was I? Oh that’s right… Barcelona!” – and kicked off what became one of the show’s most beloved periods.
From 2005 to 2010, David Tennant’s portrayal of the Doctor quickly became a fan favorite, known for being particularly relatable. His time on the show included significant emotional hardships, culminating in his regeneration after he exposed himself to deadly radiation to save Wilfred Mott (Bernard Cribbins). In the final moments of “The End of Time—Part 2,” the Tenth Doctor regenerated alone in the TARDIS, famously saying, “I don’t want to go,” creating a truly heartbreaking and unforgettable scene in Doctor Who history.
6) Eleventh Doctor (Matt Smith)
Taking over the role of the Doctor after David Tennant was a big challenge for Matt Smith, but he quickly established a fun, young, and lively persona. Immediately after regenerating, while still recovering from the TARDIS crash, the Eleventh Doctor playfully checked out his new body, excitedly confirming he still had all his limbs and senses. He even jokingly worried he might have become a woman, a moment that cleverly foreshadowed a future regeneration where the Doctor actually became female.
I remember when the Eleventh Doctor first came on the scene, some people needed a bit of time to get used to him, but by the time ‘The Time of the Doctor’ rolled around in 2013, he’d become a real favorite! We all thought he was getting extra regenerations because his cycle was complete, but then the Timeless Child reveal changed everything. Still, his goodbye was incredibly moving. That speech – “I will always remember when the Doctor was me” – really got to me! He said farewell to Clara, and it was so sad seeing him hallucinate Amy before quickly regenerating. It was a powerful moment.
5) Twelfth Doctor (Peter Capaldi)
The change from Matt Smith’s Doctor to Peter Capaldi’s was surprisingly fast, which made it even more jarring for viewers. Capaldi’s Doctor immediately came across as much more dramatic and intense than his previous incarnation, famously startling Clara with a comment about the color of his new kidneys—he excitedly exclaimed, “Kidneys! I’ve got new kidneys! I don’t like the color!” This bold shift instantly signaled a darker direction for the show, Doctor Who.
It was heartbreaking watching the Twelfth Doctor get shot by a Cyberman, especially right after losing Bill. He didn’t want to go through the pain of changing again, so he tried to have one last adventure. Spending time with his first self really seemed to help him come to terms with everything. Before he finally changed, he gave the next Doctor the most beautiful message – “Laugh hard. Run fast. Be kind. Doctor, I let you go.” And then, he became the first female Doctor, which was an incredible moment to witness.
4) Thirteenth Doctor (Jodie Whittaker)
Jodie Whittaker was the first woman to play the Doctor on television, although a later storyline revealed that female Doctors had existed in the past. She immediately established her cheerful and optimistic personality with her first words as the Thirteenth Doctor: “Oh brilliant!” She even thought it was wonderful that she was dramatically returning to Earth in the TARDIS right after changing into her new form.
Jodie Whittaker’s run as the Thirteenth Doctor received a lot of criticism, but her final scenes offered a satisfying conclusion. After a deadly attack by the Master (Sacha Dhawan), the Doctor shared a touching farewell with Yaz (Mandip Gill) and dramatically appeared at Durdle Door to signal the arrival of the next Doctor. True to her playful spirit, she said, “That’s the only sad thing, I wanna know what happens next. Right then, Doctor Whoever-I’m-About-To-Be, tag, you’re it,” before undergoing a visually stunning regeneration – one of the most impressive in Doctor Who history.
3) Fourteenth Doctor (David Tennant)
Everyone anticipated Ncuti Gatwa would become the Fourteenth Doctor after Jodie Whittaker’s departure, so it was a surprise when David Tennant reappeared. This unexpected change allowed Tennant to play the Fourteenth Doctor in three special episodes celebrating Doctor Who’s 60th anniversary in 2023. He even acknowledged the unusual situation by referencing his very first line as the Tenth Doctor back in 2005 – “I know these teeth.” This was a major moment for Doctor Who, as it was the first time an actor had ever returned to play the Doctor.
Wow, David Tennant’s return as the Doctor was huge, and honestly, his first goodbye was so moving! But this latest farewell? It was… different. It wasn’t the tearjerker we expected. Seeing him split into two Doctors with Ncuti Gatwa was a total shock, and it meant David didn’t really get a final goodbye. His last words before the split – ‘It’s time. Here we go again. Allons-y!’ – felt less like a final farewell and more like… a continuation. It was just a really strange, but kind of brilliant, way to hand over the TARDIS keys.
The Fourteenth Doctor’s last words, spoken in the 2023 episode “The Giggle,” came during a conversation with Donna Noble back on Earth. When Donna asked if he missed his adventures, the Doctor explained that after years of fighting, he finally understood the purpose of it all: “This,” meaning his life with Donna, and added, “I’ve never been so happy.” This provided a touching, though somewhat debated, conclusion to the Fourteenth Doctor’s story, which remains unfinished.
2) Fifteenth Doctor (Ncuti Gatwa)
Ncuti Gatwa’s Doctor, the Fifteenth incarnation, continued his adventures in the TARDIS after unexpectedly splitting from David Tennant’s Fourteenth Doctor. Gatwa’s first reaction to this split was disbelief and joyful self-affirmation, exclaiming, “No way… No, I’m me! I think I’m really, really me! Oh, ho-ho, I am completely me!” Both Doctors were initially confused by the bi-generation, but they quickly joined forces to overcome the villain, the Toymaker (played by Neil Patrick Harris).
It’s disappointing for many fans that Russell T. Davies’ return to Doctor Who didn’t receive the enthusiastic response hoped for. The deal between Bad Wolf and Disney led to Ncuti Gatwa’s time as the Fifteenth Doctor being shorter than planned, ending with his regeneration in the 2025 episode, “The Reality War.” He sacrificed his life to save Belinda Chandra’s daughter, bringing her back to the universe, and then regenerated in front of Joy (Nicola Coughlan), remarking that “This has been an absolute joy.”
1) Sixteenth Doctor (Billie Piper)
The ending of “The Reality War” was a huge surprise for Doctor Who fans, going beyond just introducing Ncuti Gatwa’s departure. Billie Piper made a return, but not as the Rose Tyler everyone expected. Instead, the next Doctor transformed into her likeness, and immediately acknowledged the audience with a playful, “Oh, hello!” How this incredible change will be explained remains a mystery until the show’s Christmas special in 2026, which will be the first new episode after a long wait.
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2025-12-20 00:47