All 17 Doctors Of Doctor Who: Complete List, Key Traits, And Ncuti Gatwa’s 2025 Return Explained

The enduring, 60-year legacy of Doctor Who continues to captivate audiences worldwide, primarily due to one central, ingenious concept: Regeneration. This biological process allows the main character, a Time Lord known only as The Doctor, to cheat death by changing their entire physical appearance and personality, enabling the series to continuously reinvent itself and cast new lead actors. As of the current date in December 2025, the show is firmly in its new era under returning showrunner Russell T Davies, with the dynamic Ncuti Gatwa leading the charge as the Fifteenth Doctor, following the monumental 60th Anniversary Specials that saw the return of David Tennant.

The latest and most exciting update for fans is the confirmed return of the Fifteenth Doctor and his companion, Ruby Sunday (Millie Gibson), for their second full season (often referred to as Season 2 or Series 15 of the new era). This season is officially set to premiere on Saturday, April 12, 2025, promising new adventures across time and space in the TARDIS and introducing fresh threats to the Whoniverse. This comprehensive guide provides a definitive list of every official incarnation of The Doctor, detailing their era, actor, and defining characteristics.

The Complete Chronological Line-up of The Doctors

The Doctor is a Time Lord from the planet Gallifrey. While the main count stops at fifteen, the canonical history includes several "hidden" or non-numbered incarnations, bringing the true total higher. The following list details the primary, numbered Doctors, plus the critical additions of the War Doctor, the Fugitive Doctor, and the Fourteenth Doctor.

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• The First Doctor (William Hartnell): 1963–1966. The original, an initially grumpy, mysterious, and aloof grandfather figure who stole the TARDIS.
• The Second Doctor (Patrick Troughton): 1966–1969. The "cosmic hobo," a playful, scruffy, and often deceptive Doctor who used his recorder and seemingly bumbling nature to defeat his enemies.
• The Third Doctor (Jon Pertwee): 1970–1974. The "dandy," exiled to Earth and working for UNIT (United Nations Intelligence Taskforce). Known for his Venusian Aikido, love of gadgets, and his yellow roadster, 'Bessie'.
• The Fourth Doctor (Tom Baker): 1974–1981. The longest-serving Doctor, famous for his iconic long, multi-coloured scarf, a bag of jelly babies, and a bohemian, eccentric personality. His companion, Sarah Jane Smith, is one of the most beloved.
• The Fifth Doctor (Peter Davison): 1982–1984. A more vulnerable, gentle, and sensitive Doctor, dressed in a cricket uniform and wearing a stick of celery on his lapel.
• The Sixth Doctor (Colin Baker): 1984–1986. An arrogant, verbose, and flamboyant Doctor with a famously garish, multi-coloured coat.
• The Seventh Doctor (Sylvester McCoy): 1987–1989. Initially a clown, he evolved into a dark, manipulative, and secretive strategist who played the long game.
• The Eighth Doctor (Paul McGann): 1996 (TV Movie). A romantic, poetic, and passionate Doctor, whose run was mostly continued in Big Finish audio dramas.
• The War Doctor (John Hurt): 2013 (The Day of the Doctor). An unnumbered incarnation who fought in the devastating Time War, rejecting the title of "Doctor" due to the atrocities committed.
• The Ninth Doctor (Christopher Eccleston): 2005. The one who brought the show back. A dark, scarred, and traumatised survivor of the Time War, known for his leather jacket and catchphrase, "Fantastic!"
• The Tenth Doctor (David Tennant): 2005–2010. Charming, fast-talking, and intensely emotional. He is one of the most popular incarnations, famous for his pinstripe suit and his relationship with companions like Rose Tyler and Donna Noble.
• The Eleventh Doctor (Matt Smith): 2010–2013. Quirky, youthful, and old-souled, known for his bow tie, fez, and catchphrases like "Geronimo!"
• The Twelfth Doctor (Peter Capaldi): 2014–2017. A fierce, rock-and-roll Time Lord, initially cold and abrasive but possessing deep compassion, often seen playing an electric guitar.
• The Thirteenth Doctor (Jodie Whittaker): 2018–2022. The first female Doctor, characterised by her optimistic energy, rainbow-striped shirt, and her reliance on her "fam" of companions.
• The Fugitive Doctor (Jo Martin): 2020. A mysterious, unnumbered incarnation from The Doctor’s forgotten past, revealed as part of the "Timeless Child" storyline.
• The Fourteenth Doctor (David Tennant): 2023 (60th Anniversary Specials). A unique "bi-generation" of the Thirteenth Doctor, returning to a familiar form to heal from his trauma before passing the mantle on.
• The Fifteenth Doctor (Ncuti Gatwa): 2023–Present. An energetic, joyful, and fashion-forward incarnation, ushering in the new Disney+ co-produced era.

The New Era: Ncuti Gatwa and the April 2025 Premiere

The current state of Doctor Who is one of massive global expansion and creative renewal. The return of showrunner Russell T Davies (RTD), who successfully revived the show in 2005, has cemented a new, bold direction in partnership with Disney Branded Television. This partnership has increased the show’s budget and international visibility, making the Fifteenth Doctor's era a major television event.

Ncuti Gatwa's Fifteenth Doctor made his full debut in the 2023 Christmas special, "The Church on Ruby Road," immediately establishing a vibrant, joyful, and highly emotional persona. His first full season, which aired in 2024, saw him travel with his companion, Ruby Sunday (Millie Gibson), exploring the mystery of her origins. Their adventures have already introduced new lore and enemies, including the terrifying Maestro.

The most anticipated news, as of December 2025, is the confirmed return for a new series. The BBC and Disney+ have jointly announced that Season 2 (Series 15) of the new era will premiere on Saturday, April 12, 2025. This season will continue the ongoing storyline surrounding Ruby Sunday and is expected to feature new companions and classic villains, further expanding the topical authority of the Whoniverse. While rumours of Gatwa's early departure circulated, the BBC officially refuted them, confirming his commitment to the show’s bright future.

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The Defining Eras: Classic Who vs. New Who

The history of The Doctor is traditionally split into two major eras, each with its own defining characteristics, companions, and recurring enemies. Understanding this split is key to appreciating the show’s evolution and longevity.

The Classic Who Era (1963–1989)

The original run of Doctor Who established the core entities of the franchise. The first eight Doctors navigated the universe with a focus on historical settings, science fiction concepts, and a more deliberate, serialised storytelling pace. Key entities and recurring enemies from this era include the introduction of the terrifying Daleks (the Doctor's most famous enemy), the logical Cybermen, the rogue Time Lord known as The Master, and the Doctor's home planet, Gallifrey. Companions like Sarah Jane Smith, Jo Grant, and K-9 the robot dog are foundational to the show’s lore.

The New Who Era (2005–Present)

The 2005 revival, spearheaded by Russell T Davies, injected a new sense of pace, cinematic quality, and emotional depth. The focus shifted to the Doctor's post-Time War trauma (The Ninth Doctor), and the companions became more central to the storylines, often forming deep, romantic, or familial bonds with the Time Lord. Key entities in this era include the recurring use of the Sonic Screwdriver as a multi-tool, the concept of a companion's "Bad Wolf" destiny (Rose Tyler), and the introduction of modern villains like the Weeping Angels and the Silence. The recent 60th Anniversary Specials, featuring the bi-generation of the Fourteenth Doctor, David Tennant, and the return of Donna Noble, perfectly bridged the nostalgic past with the show's exciting future.

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The Phenomenon of Regeneration and the Future

Regeneration is more than just a plot device; it is the philosophical core of Doctor Who. It allows the character to maintain a continuous identity while exploring different facets of personality, from the stern, curmudgeonly First Doctor to the flamboyant, musical Fifteenth Doctor. The recent bi-generation, where the Fourteenth Doctor physically split from the Fifteenth Doctor, is the latest evolution of this concept, suggesting a new era where past incarnations may be able to return without a full regeneration.

With Ncuti Gatwa's second season confirmed for April 2025, and a new companion, Varada Sethu's Belinda Chandra, expected to join the TARDIS crew in a subsequent series, the show’s future is secure and globally ambitious. The ongoing exploration of the Timeless Child storyline and the mystery surrounding Ruby Sunday ensure that the Doctor's personal history, Gallifreyan origins, and relationship with his companions will continue to drive the narrative forward for years to come.

The Fifteenth Doctor's journey is only just beginning, promising more adventures that will redefine what it means to be a Time Lord in the 21st century and beyond.