Today marks the 53rd birthday of Doctor Who. To celebrate, here’s a guide to every incarnation of everyone’s favourite Time Lord…
The Twelve (well, thirteen) Doctors
The First Doctor (1963-66)
Played by: William Hartnell
Companions: Ian, Barbara, Susan, Vicki, Katarina, Sara Kingdom, Steven, Dodo, Ben, Polly
Major enemies: Daleks, Meddling Monk, Cybermen
Doctor Who? The First Doctor was a grand elder statesman who let his younger companions steal most of the action. Though he began as very distant, brusque and quite alien, he grew into a twinkly, warm grandfatherly type.
The Second Doctor (1966-69)
Played by: Patrick Troughton
Companions: Ben, Polly, Jamie, Victoria, Zoe
Major Enemies: Cybermen, Daleks, Yeti, Great Intelligence, Ice Warriors
Doctor Who? The Second Doctor liked to come across as a clownish, scruffy sort – prone to slapstick, saying “oh my giddy aunt!” and playing tunes on his trusty recorder. But underneath that he was a cunning crusader, dedicated to ridding the universe of evil.
The Third Doctor (1970-74)
Played by: Jon Pertwee
Companions: Liz, Jo, Sarah Jane (honorary companions: Brigadier Lethbridge-Stewart, Sergeant Benton, Captain Mike Yates)
Major Enemies: The Master, Daleks, Autons, Silurians, Sea Devils, Sontarans, Omega
Doctor Who? After being sentenced to banishment on Earth by the Time Lords, the Third Doctor joined the militaristic alien-busting U.N.I.T. Fond of frilly shirts and velvet cloaks, this Doctor fancied himself as a James Bond figure – with a love of vintage cars and gadgets.
The Fourth Doctor (1974-81)
Played by: Tom Baker
Companions: Sarah Jane, Harry, Leela, Romana (I + II), K-9 (I + II), Adric, Nyssa, Tegan
Major Enemies: Davros, Daleks, Cybermen, The Master, Sontarans, Zygons, The Black Guardian
Doctor Who? The longest serving Doctor by far, the Fourth Doctor was a full-on eccentric. Always found with his long scarf and floppy hat covering his big, bouffant hair, he preferred to offer his enemies a jelly baby rather than engage in open hostilities.
The Fifth Doctor (1982-84)
Played by: Peter Davison
Companions: Adric, Nyssa, Tegan, Turlough, Peri
Major Enemies: The Master, Cybermen, Black Guardian, Mara, Silurians, Sea Devils, Omega, Davros, Daleks
Doctor Who? Whereas the Fourth Doctor was big and commanding, the Fifth was much younger and more unassuming. Though he still possessed his enormous brain and kindness, this Doctor tended to get caught up in tragic, dark scenarios that he found difficult to fix.
The Sixth Doctor (1984-86)
Played by: Colin Baker
Companions: Peri, Mel
Major Enemies: The Master, Sil, Davros, Daleks, Cybermen, The Rani
Doctor Who? As demonstrated by his garish coat of many colours, the Sixth Doctor was a shameless egotist who didn’t care what anyone thought of him. Though his companions often bore the brunt of his abrasiveness, it made him better equipped to fight the evils of the universe
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