Scottish actor Ncuti Gatwa recently made his season 14 debut as the 15th Doctor in the hugely successful BBC sci-fi television franchaise.
Early reviews have been good, but it’s too early to tell how he will rank amongst the familiar faces who have taken on the iconic role.
A new study by the company QR Code Generator has looked at public votes for their favourite Doctors on Ranker, naming the best-loved actors across the show’s nearly 60-year-long tenure.
Commenting on the findings, QR Code Generator CEO Marc Porcar said: “Doctor Who has amassed many fans worldwide thanks to its ability to continually reinvent the roles of the Doctor and their companions.”
“Whilst the show has struggled in recent years to gain the viewership it has previously had, the 2023 Christmas special proved hopeful after exceeding 1.79 million streams and a 4.73 million overnight rating. It will be interesting to see whether the newest season can retain these figures, with some suggesting it is possible - especially considering the return of writer Russell T. Davies. Davies held the role of showrunner and writer during the tenures of Eccleston and Tennant, both of whom are well loved, placing highly in the rankings.
“One of the key factors behind the show’s appeal is its ability to reinvent itself constantly, and fans are eager to see a dramatic shift from Whittaker’s role. The announcement of Ncuti Gatwa taking on the role of the Fifteenth Doctor has created a considerable amount of buzz, and after the Christmas special last year, fans are eager to see more of Gatwa’s fresh take on the Doctor.”
Here’s what the research found when it comes to a Doctor Who popularity contest.
9. Patrick Troughton
The Second Doctor actor Patrick Troughton places ninth most loved after gaining 3,544 votes in the poll. Troughton began his tenure as the Doctor in 1966 for four years until 1969. | BBC
10. Sylvester McCoy
In tenth spot is Sylvester McCoy, who played the Seventh Doctor from 1987 to 1989. He polled 3,373 votes. Famously, his loyal companion Mel Bush was played by Bonnie Langford. | BBC
11. Jodie Whittaker
Jodie Whittaker only hung up her sonic screwdriver last year and is the only woman to ever play the role. She's ranked eleventh place with 3,309 votes. | BBC
12. Colin Baker
Occupying the TARDIS from 1984-1986, sixth Doctor Colin Baker received 3,287 votes. During his brief stint he came up against many familiar baddies, including the Master, Daleks, Cybermen and Sontarans. | BBC