Cast and Crew of Doctor Who

Doctor Who

"Doctor Who" is a beloved science fiction television series that has been entertaining audiences since 1963. The show follows the adventures of the Doctor, a time-traveling humanoid alien known as a Time Lord. The Doctor hails from the planet Gallifrey and possesses a unique ability to regenerate his body when he dies, allowing for a recasting of the character over the years. This regeneration ability has resulted in 13 different actors playing the Doctor to date, with each new incarnation bringing a fresh perspective to the character.

The Doctor is not alone in his adventures through time and space. Along the way, he is joined by a succession of companions who provide a human perspective and help to ground the Doctor in the realities of everyday life. These companions come from all walks of life and include characters such as Greg Powell's Knight and Hugh Futcher's Hickman. Together, the Doctor and his companions explore the universe in the Doctor's TARDIS, a sentient time-traveling spaceship. The exterior of the TARDIS appears as a blue British police box, a common sight in Britain in 1963 when the series first aired. This exterior serves as a clever disguise, allowing the Doctor and his companions to travel undetected through time and space.

Throughout the series, the Doctor and his companions face a variety of foes, including Daleks, Cybermen, and the Master. These villains provide a formidable challenge for the Doctor and his companions, and their appearances often serve as a catalyst for some of the most exciting and action-packed episodes in the series. Despite the many dangers that the Doctor and his companions face, they remain committed to saving civilizations, helping ordinary people, and righting many wrongs. Whether they are traveling to the distant past or the far future, the Doctor and his companions are always ready for whatever adventures await them in the vast expanse of the universe.

Main Cast of Doctor Who

William Hartnell as The Doctor

William Hartnell

The Doctor
William Hartnell's portrayal of the enigmatic time-traveling alien known as The Doctor in the long-running British science fiction television series "Doctor Who" is now legendary. Beginning with the very first episode in 1963, Hartnell embodied the character with a stern, irascible, and at times almost cantankerous demeanor, which contrasted sharply with the sense of wonder and intellect that lurked beneath his sometimes gruff exterior. His Doctor was a mysterious figure, with a deep sense of morality and a soft spot for those he considered his friends. Despite the initial impression of being cold or distant, Hartnell's Doctor revealed a twinkling humor and a paternal warmth that endeared him to audiences. His grandfatherly affection for his companions, particularly the young schoolgirl Susan Foreman, showed a depth to the character that was groundbreaking for the time. Hartnell's performance was foundational in establishing the core traits of The Doctor: brilliance, unpredictability, and a profound sense of right and wrong. His often-quoted line, "One day, I shall come back. Yes, I shall come back," not only foreshadowed the show's ability to regenerate its lead actor but also cemented Hartnell's Doctor as an enduring icon in the annals of television history.
Patrick Troughton as The Doctor

Patrick Troughton

The Doctor
Patrick Troughton's portrayal of the Doctor, the enigmatic time-traveling alien protagonist of the British science fiction television series "Doctor Who," is widely celebrated for its depth and innovation. Taking on the role after the show's original star, William Hartnell, Troughton brought a new energy to the character during his tenure from 1966 to 1969. His Doctor was a whimsical yet profound figure, often referred to as the "Cosmic Hobo," due to his shabby, nondescript appearance and mischievous demeanor, which belied his keen intellect and ancient wisdom. Troughton's performance was characterized by a compelling balance of humor and gravitas, seamlessly shifting from clownish antics to moments of intense seriousness. This chameleon-like ability allowed him to confront the series' often terrifying villains with both a light-hearted smirk and a palpable sense of inner strength. His embodiment of the character's second incarnation was so iconic that it set the precedent for the show's central conceit of regeneration, allowing the Doctor to transform in personality and appearance, thus ensuring the series' longevity. Troughton's nuanced portrayal, from his distinctive vocal inflections to his expressive facial expressions, left an indelible mark on the series and established a template for all future Doctors to come.
Tom Baker as The Doctor

Tom Baker

The Doctor
Tom Baker's portrayal of the enigmatic time-traveling alien known as The Doctor in the iconic British science fiction television series "Doctor Who" is widely regarded as one of the defining interpretations of the character. Taking on the role from 1974 to 1981, Baker brought a unique blend of charisma, eccentricity, and gravitas to the Fourth Doctor, captivating audiences with his bohemian sense of style, complete with an impossibly long multicolored scarf and a wide-brimmed hat. His performance was characterized by a deep, resonant voice and a mischievous sense of humor, often accompanied by a wide, infectious grin and a penchant for jelly babies. Baker's Doctor was both an intellectual giant and a playful child, capable of moments of profound wisdom and alien detachment, as well as bursts of indignant passion and empathetic warmth. His chemistry with his various companions was a highlight of his tenure, as he guided them through time and space with a blend of avuncular care and curious wonder. Baker's ability to convey the ancient Time Lord's loneliness and depth of experience, juxtaposed with an almost childlike enthusiasm for discovery, created a character that was both enigmatic and deeply relatable, securing his status as a beloved figure in the annals of "Doctor Who" history and popular culture.
Peter Davison as The Doctor

Peter Davison

The Doctor
Peter Davison's portrayal of the Fifth Doctor in the iconic British science fiction television series "Doctor Who" is often remembered for its youthful energy and a more vulnerable, human approach to the Time Lord. Taking on the role after the larger-than-life Fourth Doctor played by Tom Baker, Davison brought a sense of freshness and approachability to the character. His Doctor, characterized by a cricket uniform and a vegetarian diet, exuded a gentle charm and a somewhat boyish innocence, which made his navigations through time and space both endearing and engaging. Davison's performance was marked by a deep sense of compassion and a strong moral compass, often grappling with the weight of his decisions and their impact on those he encountered. His tenure saw the Doctor battle classic villains like the Daleks and the Cybermen, as well as introduce new adversaries such as the Black Guardian. Peter Davison's nuanced acting, which balanced the Doctor's wisdom with an underlying gravitas, left an indelible mark on the series during the early 1980s, and he remains a beloved figure in the pantheon of actors who have brought the Doctor to life.
Sylvester McCoy as The Doctor

Sylvester McCoy

The Doctor
Colin Baker as Commander Maxil

Colin Baker

Commander Maxil , The Doctor
Caroline John as Liz Shaw

Caroline John

Liz Shaw
Elisabeth Sladen as Sarah Jane Smith

Elisabeth Sladen

Sarah Jane Smith
Nicola Bryant as Perpugilliam "Peri" Brown

Nicola Bryant

Perpugilliam "Peri" Brown
Bonnie Langford as Melanie Bush

Bonnie Langford

Melanie Bush
Janet Fielding as Tegan Jovanka

Janet Fielding

Tegan Jovanka , Janet Fielding
Louise Jameson as Leela

Louise Jameson

Leela
Mary Tamm as Romana

Mary Tamm

Romana
Roger Delgado as The Master

Roger Delgado

The Master
Richard Franklin as Captain Mike Yates

Richard Franklin

Captain Mike Yates , Mike Yates
Katy Manning as Jo Grant

Katy Manning

Jo Grant
Mark Strickson as Turlough

Mark Strickson

Turlough , Vislor Turlough
David Brierly as K9 (voice)

David Brierly

K9 (voice)
Sarah Sutton as Nyssa / Ann Talbot

Sarah Sutton

Nyssa / Ann Talbot , Nyssa
Wendy Padbury as Zoe Heriot

Wendy Padbury

Zoe Heriot
Jackie Lane as Dodo Chaplet

Jackie Lane

Dodo Chaplet
Lynda Bellingham as The Inquisitor

Lynda Bellingham

The Inquisitor
Matthew Waterhouse as Adric

Matthew Waterhouse

Adric
Michael Jayston as The Valeyard

Michael Jayston

The Valeyard
Sophie Aldred as Ace

Sophie Aldred

Ace
Carole Ann Ford as Susan Foreman

Carole Ann Ford

Susan Foreman
William Russell as Ian Chesterton

William Russell

Ian Chesterton
Jacqueline Hill as Lexa

Jacqueline Hill

Lexa , Barbara Wright

Crew of Doctor Who

Full backstage crew list →