Editing Doctor Who (section)

==Characters==
{{See also|List of Doctor Who cast members{{!}}List of ''Doctor Who'' cast members}}

===The Doctor===
{{Main|The Doctor}}
{{Multiple image |total_width=350 |perrow=5 5 4
|image1=William Hartnell, 1946 (halftone filtered).jpg
|image2=Patrick Troughton in 1984, 1 (cropped).jpg
|image3=Dr Who, John Pertwee (10842597324) (cropped).jpg
|image4=Tom Baker, Whovent 1986 (cropped).jpg
|image5=Peter Davison (24257077900) (cropped).jpg
|image6=Colin Baker, Whovent 1986 2 (cropped).jpg
|image7=Sylvester McCoy Doctor (cropped).jpg
|image8=Paul McGann (15823173960) (cropped).jpg
|image9=Christopher Eccleston London (cropped).jpg
|image10=Fourteenth Doctor in Wild Blue Yonder (cropped).png
|image11=Eleventh Doctor.jpg
|image12=Peter Capaldi (48649225308) (cropped).jpg
|image13=Jodie Whittaker (52550230048).jpg
|image14=Ncuti Gatwa 3 (further cropped).png
|footer=[[List of actors who have played the Doctor|Fourteen actors]] have portrayed [[the Doctor]] in a leading role in ''Doctor Who''.<hr/>Left to right from top row: [[William Hartnell]], [[Patrick Troughton]], [[Jon Pertwee]], [[Tom Baker]], [[Peter Davison]], [[Colin Baker]], [[Sylvester McCoy]], [[Paul McGann]], [[Christopher Eccleston]], [[David Tennant]], [[Matt Smith]], [[Peter Capaldi]], [[Jodie Whittaker]], and [[Ncuti Gatwa]].}}

The Doctor was initially shrouded in mystery. In the programme's early days, the character was an eccentric alien traveller of great intelligence who battled injustice while exploring time and space in an unreliable [[time machine]], the "[[TARDIS]]" (an [[acronym]] for Time and Relative Dimension in Space), which notably appears much larger on the inside than on the outside.{{efn|When it became an entry in the ''[[Oxford English Dictionary]]'', the word "TARDIS" often came to be used to describe anything that appeared larger on the inside than its exterior implied.}}<ref>{{Cite web |title=Full record for Tardis-like adj. |url=http://www.jessesword.com/sf/view/424 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080523205631/http://www.jessesword.com/sf/view/424 |archive-date=23 May 2008 |access-date=7 September 2007 |website=Science Fiction Citations}}</ref>

The initially irascible and slightly sinister Doctor quickly mellowed into a more compassionate figure and was eventually revealed to be a [[Time Lord]], whose race are from the planet [[Gallifrey]], which the Doctor fled by stealing the TARDIS.<ref>{{cite news |last=Debnath |first=Neela |date=30 June 2012 |title=Interview with 'Doctor Who' star Paul McGann |url=http://blogs.independent.co.uk/2012/06/30/interview-with-'doctor-who'-star-paul-mcgann/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130921081230/http://blogs.independent.co.uk/2012/06/30/interview-with-%E2%80%98doctor-who%E2%80%99-star-paul-mcgann/ |archive-date=21 September 2013 |access-date=23 April 2024 |newspaper=[[The Independent]] }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2 March 2020 |title=Doctor Who Season 12 changed a lot of canon. Here's what matters most |url=https://www.syfy.com/syfy-wire/doctor-who-season-12-canon-changes |access-date=24 January 2024 |website=SYFY Official Site}}</ref>

====Changes of appearance====
Producers introduced the concept of [[Regeneration (Doctor Who)|regeneration]] to permit the recasting of the main character. This was prompted by the poor health of the original star, [[William Hartnell]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=3 May 2021 |title=The reasons why each Doctor Who actor quit |url=https://www.digitalspy.com/tv/a854678/doctor-who-actors-quit-david-tennant-matt-smith/ |access-date=24 January 2024 |website=Digital Spy}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Meszaros |first=E. L. |date=21 January 2021 |title=Doctor Who: Why First Doctor William Hartnell Left the Series |url=https://www.cbr.com/doctor-who-why-william-hartnell-left-series/ |access-date=24 January 2024 |website=CBR}}</ref> The term "regeneration" was not conceived until the Doctor's third on-screen regeneration; Hartnell's Doctor merely described undergoing a "renewal", and the Second Doctor underwent a "change of appearance".<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Doctor Who Transcripts – The Power of the Daleks |url=http://www.chakoteya.net/DoctorWho/4-3.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161201190540/http://www.chakoteya.net/DoctorWho/4-3.htm |archive-date=1 December 2016 |access-date=27 January 2017 |website=chakoteya.net}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=The Doctor Who Transcripts – The War Games |url=http://www.chakoteya.net/DoctorWho/6-7.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170202025218/http://www.chakoteya.net/DoctorWho/6-7.htm |archive-date=2 February 2017 |access-date=27 January 2017 |website=chakoteya.net}}</ref> The device has allowed for the recasting of the actor various times in the show's history, as well as the depiction of alternative Doctors either from the Doctor's relative past or future.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Moffat |first=Steven |title=The Day of The Doctor |publisher=BBC}}</ref>

The serials ''[[The Deadly Assassin]]'' (1976) and ''[[Mawdryn Undead]]'' (1983) established that a Time Lord can only regenerate 12 times, for a total of 13 incarnations.<ref name="507joke"/><ref>{{Cite web |last=Bryce |first=Evangeline |date=9 December 2022 |title=Doctor Who: 10 Things You Didn't Know About Regeneration |url=https://gamerant.com/doctor-who-regeneration-facts-lore-trivia/ |access-date=24 January 2024 |website=Game Rant}}</ref> This line became stuck in the public consciousness despite not often being repeated and was recognised by producers of the show as a plot obstacle for when the show finally had to regenerate the Doctor a thirteenth time.<ref name="507joke">{{Cite web |title=Interview – Russell T. Davies talks about That Sarah Jane Adventures line |url=http://www.sfx.co.uk/2010/10/26/interview-russell-t-davies-talks-about-that-sarah-jane-adventures-line/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101231070415/http://www.sfx.co.uk/2010/10/26/interview-russell-t-davies-talks-about-that-sarah-jane-adventures-line/ |archive-date=31 December 2010 |access-date=5 August 2013 |publisher=sfx.co.uk}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Scott |first=Darren |date=26 November 2013 |title=Steven Moffat on 'Doctor numbers' and the regeneration limit |work=Doctor Who |url=http://www.doctorwho.tv/whats-new/article/steven-moffat-on-doctor-numbers-and-the-regeneration-limit |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131128055027/http://www.doctorwho.tv/whats-new/article/steven-moffat-on-doctor-numbers-and-the-regeneration-limit |archive-date=28 November 2013 |access-date=26 November 2013}}</ref> The episode "[[The Time of the Doctor]]" (2013) depicted the Doctor acquiring a new cycle of regenerations, starting from the [[Twelfth Doctor]], due to the [[Eleventh Doctor]] being the product of the Doctor's twelfth regeneration from his original set.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Norman |first=Dalton |date=19 March 2023 |title=Doctor Who: How Many Times Can A Time Lord Regenerate? |url=https://screenrant.com/doctor-who-how-many-time-lord-regeneration/ |access-date=24 January 2024 |website=ScreenRant}}</ref><!--A note explaining this can go here, but it would be best not to digress into an explanation of the circumstances of a particular regeneration in the paragraph which introduces the general concept-->

Although the idea of casting a woman as the Doctor had been suggested by the show's writers several times, including by Newman in 1986 and Davies in 2008, until 2017, all official depictions were played by men.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Horn |first=Marc |date=10 October 2010 |title=How Doctor Who nearly became the Time Lady |work=Daily Telegraph |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/tvandradio/doctor-who/8052694/How-Doctor-Who-nearly-became-the-Time-Lady.html |url-status=live |access-date=17 July 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170719002341/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/tvandradio/doctor-who/8052694/How-Doctor-Who-nearly-became-the-Time-Lady.html |archive-date=19 July 2017}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Nichols |first=Sam |date=18 December 2008 |title=Could Catherine Zeta-Jones be the next Doctor Who |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2008/dec/18/could-catherine-zeta-jones-be-next-doctor-who |url-status=live |access-date=17 July 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170615061049/https://www.theguardian.com/media/2008/dec/18/could-catherine-zeta-jones-be-next-doctor-who |archive-date=15 June 2017}}</ref> [[Jodie Whittaker]] took over the role as the [[Thirteenth Doctor]] at the end of the 2017 Christmas special and is the first woman to be cast as the character.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Turner |first=Camilla |date=16 July 2017 |title=Doctor Who: Jodie Whittaker is to replace Peter Capaldi in the Time Lord regeneration game |work=The Telegraph |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/tv/2017/07/16/doctor-jodie-whittaker-replace-peter-capaldi-time-lord-regeneration/ |url-status=live |access-date=16 July 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180718015944/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/tv/2017/07/16/doctor-jodie-whittaker-replace-peter-capaldi-time-lord-regeneration/ |archive-date=18 July 2018}}</ref> The show introduced the Time Lords' ability to change sex on regeneration in earlier episodes, first in dialogue, then with [[Michelle Gomez]]'s version of [[The Master (Doctor Who)|the Master]]<ref>{{Cite web |last=Oxman |first=Demaris |date=16 April 2022 |title=Doctor Who: Why Missy Is The Best Incarnation Of The Master |url=https://gamerant.com/doctor-who-missy-best-incarnation-the-master/ |access-date=30 January 2024 |website=Game Rant}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Gladman |first=Andrew |date=14 June 2023 |title=Doctor Who: Did Sacha Dhawan's Master Actually Come Before Missy? |url=https://www.cbr.com/doctor-who-sacha-dhawan-master-before-missy/ |access-date=30 January 2024 |website=CBR}}</ref> and [[T'Nia Miller]]'s version of the General.<ref>{{Cite web |date=17 October 2020 |title=Bly Manor star T'Nia Miller says Doctor Who was a "hard job" |url=https://www.digitalspy.com/tv/ustv/a34403458/haunting-of-bly-manor-tnia-miller-doctor-who/ |access-date=24 January 2024 |website=Digital Spy}}</ref>

Upon Whittaker's final appearance as the character in "[[The Power of the Doctor]]" on 23 October 2022, she regenerated into a form portrayed by [[David Tennant]], who was confirmed to be the [[Fourteenth Doctor]] and the first actor to play two incarnations, having previously played the [[Tenth Doctor]]. In the same year, [[Ncuti Gatwa]] was revealed to be portraying the [[Fifteenth Doctor]], making him the first black actor to headline the series.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2022/may/08/doctor-who-ncuti-gatwa-to-replace-jodie-whittaker-bbc-announces|title=Doctor Who: Ncuti Gatwa to replace Jodie Whittaker, BBC announces|author=Martin Belam|website=The Guardian|date=8 May 2022|access-date=25 October 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Doctor Who trailer confirms when 60th anniversary specials and Ncuti Gatwa's first episode will air|first=Tasha|last=Hegarty|publisher=[[Digital Spy]]|url=https://www.digitalspy.com/tv/a41746448/doctor-who-trailer-air-date/|date=23 October 2022|access-date=10 November 2022}}</ref>

{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Series lead !! Incarnation !! Tenure{{efn|The years shown cover the actor's tenure as the lead character only.}}
|-
| [[William Hartnell]] || [[First Doctor]] || 1963–1966
|-
| [[Patrick Troughton]] || [[Second Doctor]] || 1966–1969
|-
| [[Jon Pertwee]] || [[Third Doctor]] || 1970–1974
|-
| [[Tom Baker]] || [[Fourth Doctor]] || 1974–1981
|-
| [[Peter Davison]] || [[Fifth Doctor]] || 1982–1984<!--Do not change to 1981; as per WP:CONSENSUS of previous talk-page discussions, 1982 is when this Doctor became the lead.-->
|-
| [[Colin Baker]] || [[Sixth Doctor]] || 1984–1986
|-
| [[Sylvester McCoy]] || [[Seventh Doctor]] || 1987–1989<!--Do not change to 1996 without discussing it on the talk-page. 1987–1989 was when this Doctor was the lead. Even though he had a starring role in the movie, it was McGann's movie.-->
|-
| [[Paul McGann]] || [[Eighth Doctor]] || 1996
|-<!-- Please do not add John Hurt here -->
| [[Christopher Eccleston]] || [[Ninth Doctor]] || 2005
|-
| [[David Tennant]] || [[Tenth Doctor]] || 2005–2010
|-
| [[Matt Smith]] || [[Eleventh Doctor]] || 2010–2013
|-
| [[Peter Capaldi]] || [[Twelfth Doctor]] || 2014–2017<!--Do not change to 2013; as per WP:CONSENSUS of previous talk-page discussions, 2014 is when this Doctor became the lead.-->
|-
| [[Jodie Whittaker]] || [[Thirteenth Doctor]] || 2018–2022
|-
| David Tennant || [[Fourteenth Doctor]] || 2023
|-
| [[Ncuti Gatwa]] || [[Fifteenth Doctor]] || 2023–present
|}

In addition to those actors who have headlined the series, others have portrayed versions of the Doctor in guest roles. Notably, in 2013, [[John Hurt]] guest-starred as a hitherto unknown incarnation of the Doctor known as the [[War Doctor]] in the run-up to the show's 50th-anniversary special "[[The Day of the Doctor]]".<ref name="HurtDoctor">{{Cite news |last=Hogan, Michael |date=18 May 2013 |title=Doctor Who: The Name of the Doctor, BBC One, review |work=The Daily Telegraph |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/tvandradio/doctor-who/10065201/Doctor-Who-The-Name-of-the-Doctor-BBC-One-review.html |url-status=live |access-date=22 May 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130522023526/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/tvandradio/doctor-who/10065201/Doctor-Who-The-Name-of-the-Doctor-BBC-One-review.html |archive-date=22 May 2013}}</ref> He is shown in mini-episode "[[The Night of the Doctor]]" [[retroactive continuity|retroactively inserted]] into the show's fictional chronology between McGann's and Eccleston's Doctors, although his introduction was written so as not to disturb the established numerical naming of the Doctors.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Rigby, Sam |date=24 November 2013 |title='Doctor Who': Steven Moffat on regeneration limit |url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/tv/s7/doctor-who/news/a533505/doctor-who-steven-moffat-on-regeneration-limit.html?rss |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131127012123/http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/tv/s7/doctor-who/news/a533505/doctor-who-steven-moffat-on-regeneration-limit.html?rss |archive-date=27 November 2013 |access-date=25 November 2013 |website=[[Digital Spy]]}}</ref> The show later introduced another such unknown past Doctor with [[Jo Martin]]'s recurring portrayal of the [[Fugitive Doctor]], beginning with "[[Fugitive of the Judoon]]" (2020).<ref>{{Cite web |last=Blumberg |first=Arnold T. |date=28 January 2020 |title=Doctor Who: Jo Martin's Character and That Surprise Cameo Explained |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/doctor-who-jo-martin-character-john-barrowman-cameo-explained |access-date=24 January 2024 |website=IGN}}</ref> An example from the classic series comes from ''[[The Trial of a Time Lord]]'' (1986), in which [[Michael Jayston]]'s character the [[Valeyard]] is described as an amalgamation of the darker sides of the Doctor's nature, somewhere between the twelfth and final incarnation.<ref>{{cite serial | title = ''Season 23.'' [[The Trial of a Time Lord]] | episode = Part Thirteen" "[[The Ultimate Foe|(The Ultimate Foe episode 1)]] | series = Doctor Who | credits = [[Robert Holmes (scriptwriter)|Robert Holmes]] (writer), [[Chris Clough]] (director), [[John Nathan-Turner]] (producer) | network = [[BBC]] | station = [[BBC1]] | airdate = 29 November 1986}}</ref> The most recent example is when [[Richard E. Grant]], who previously portrayed an alternate version of the Doctor known as the Shalka Doctor in the animated series [[Scream of the Shalka]] (2003), appeared as a hologram of a past Doctor in "[[Rogue (Doctor Who)|Rogue]]" (2024).<ref>{{Cite web |date=8 June 2024 |title=Did Doctor Who just drop a canon-shattering reveal? |url=https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/sci-fi/doctor-who-rogue-richard-e-grant-newsupdate/ |access-date=8 June 2024 |website=[[Radio Times]]}}</ref>

On rare occasions, [[List of actors who have played the Doctor|other actors have stood in for the lead]]. In "[[The Five Doctors]]", [[Richard Hurndall]] played the First Doctor due to William Hartnell's death in 1975;<ref name="EWReturn">{{Cite magazine |title='Doctor Who': Every former Doctor return appearance, ranked |url=https://ew.com/gallery/doctor-who-returning-doctors/ |access-date=30 January 2024 |magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]]}}</ref> 34 years later [[David Bradley (English actor)|David Bradley]] similarly replaced Hartnell in "[[Twice Upon a Time (Doctor Who)|Twice Upon a Time]]".<ref name="Bradley">{{Cite web |last=Britt |first=Ryan |date=21 December 2017 |title=David Bradley Says the 1st 'Doctor Who' Makes Mistakes |url=https://www.inverse.com/article/39638-doctor-who-1st-david-bradley-christmas-special-william-hartnell |access-date=31 January 2024 |website=Inverse}}</ref> In ''[[Time and the Rani]]'', Sylvester McCoy briefly played the Sixth Doctor during the regeneration sequence, carrying on as the Seventh.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Peters |first=Megan |title=Doctor Who Star Reveals Scene They Regret Not Filming |url=https://comicbook.com/tv-shows/news/doctor-who-colin-baker-scene-regret-regeneration/ |access-date=31 January 2024 |website=ComicBook.com|date=17 September 2019 }}</ref> In other media, the Doctor has been played by various other actors, including [[Peter Cushing]] in [[Dr. Who (Dalek films)|two films]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Britt |first=Ryan |date=23 November 2023 |title=58 Years Ago, A Legendary Actor Turned a Sci-Fi Phenomenon Into a Canon-Breaking Curiosity |url=https://www.inverse.com/entertainment/doctor-who-peter-cushing-dalek-movies-1965 |access-date=31 January 2024 |website=Inverse}}</ref>

The casting of a new Doctor has often inspired debate and speculation. Common topics of focus include the Doctor's sex (prior to the casting of Whittaker, all official incarnations were male), race (all Doctors were white prior to the casting of Jo Martin in "Fugitive of the Judoon") and age (the youngest actor to be cast is Smith at 26, and the oldest are Capaldi and Hartnell, both 55).<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kissell |first=Ted B. |date=5 August 2013 |title=The Depressing, Disappointing Maleness of Doctor Who's New Time Lord |url=https://www.theatlantic.com/entertainment/archive/2013/08/the-depressing-disappointing-maleness-of-i-doctor-who-i-s-new-time-lord/278380/ |access-date=31 January 2024 |website=The Atlantic}}</ref><ref>[http://www.sundayworld.com/entertainment/tv/neil-gaiman-hopes-a-non-white-person-will-take-doctor-who-role-someday "Neil Gaiman hopes a non-white person will take Doctor Who role someday"], {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131011005312/http://www.sundayworld.com/entertainment/tv/neil-gaiman-hopes-a-non-white-person-will-take-doctor-who-role-someday |date=11 October 2013 }} ''Sunday World'', 8 August 2013.</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Jackson |first=Matthew |date=9 December 2013 |title=Peter Capaldi explains why no one can be too old to play The Doctor |work=Blastr |publisher=[[Syfy]] |url=http://www.blastr.com/2013-12-9/peter-capaldi-explains-why-no-one-can-be-too-old-play-doctor |url-status=live |access-date=16 July 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160504025525/http://www.blastr.com/2013-12-9/peter-capaldi-explains-why-no-one-can-be-too-old-play-doctor |archive-date=4 May 2016}}</ref>

====Meetings of different incarnations====
There have been instances of actors returning later to reprise their specific Doctor's role. In 1973's ''[[The Three Doctors (Doctor Who)|The Three Doctors]]'', William Hartnell and Patrick Troughton returned alongside Jon Pertwee. For 1983's "[[The Five Doctors]]", Troughton and Pertwee returned to star with Peter Davison, and Tom Baker appeared in previously unseen footage from the uncompleted ''[[Shada (Doctor Who)|Shada]]'' serial. For this episode, Richard Hurndall replaced William Hartnell. Patrick Troughton again returned in 1985's ''[[The Two Doctors]]'' with Colin Baker.<ref name="EWReturn" />

In 2007, Peter Davison returned in the Children in Need short "[[Time Crash]]" alongside David Tennant.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Barrett |first=Sarah |date=11 May 2023 |title=The Ultimate 'Doctor Who' Crash Course for First-Time Viewers |url=https://www.themarysue.com/heres-how-to-watch-doctor-who-in-order/ |access-date=24 January 2024 |website=The Mary Sue}}</ref> In "[[The Name of the Doctor]]" (2013), the Eleventh Doctor meets a previously unseen incarnation of himself, subsequently revealed to be the [[War Doctor]].<ref name="HurtDoctor" /> In the following episode, "[[The Day of the Doctor]]", David Tennant's [[Tenth Doctor]] appeared alongside [[Matt Smith]] as the [[Eleventh Doctor]] and [[John Hurt]] as the [[War Doctor]], as well as brief footage of all the previous actors.<ref>{{Cite episode |title=The Day of the Doctor |series=Doctor Who |network=BBC |station=BBC One |date=23 November 2013 |minutes=60 |location=Cardiff}}</ref> In 2017, the First Doctor (this time portrayed by [[David Bradley (English actor)|David Bradley]]) returned alongside Peter Capaldi in "[[The Doctor Falls]]" and "[[Twice Upon a Time (Doctor Who)|Twice Upon a Time]]".<ref name="Bradley" />

In 2020's "Fugitive of the Judoon", Jodie Whittaker as the [[Thirteenth Doctor]] meets Jo Martin's incarnation of the Doctor, subsequently known as the Fugitive Doctor; they interact again in the episode "[[The Timeless Children]]" later that year as well as in "[[Once, Upon Time]]" in 2021. In her final episode, "[[The Power of the Doctor]]" (2022), Whittaker interacts with the Guardians of the Edge, manifestations of the Doctor's First (Bradley), Fifth (Davison), Sixth (Colin Baker), Seventh (McCoy), and Eighth (McGann) incarnations.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Gladman |first=Andrew |date=26 October 2022 |title=Doctor Who: David Tennant Is Not the Centenary's Biggest Surprise - These Doctors Are |url=https://www.cbr.com/doctor-who-peter-davison-colin-baker-sylvester-mccoy-paul-mcgann-bbc/ |access-date=31 January 2024 |website=CBR}}</ref> In "[[The Giggle]]" (2023), following the unusual bi-generation of the [[Fourteenth Doctor]] which saw the [[Fifteenth Doctor]] split out from him, the two Doctors shared a scene together as they defeated the episode's villain, the Toymaker.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Craig |first1=David |title=David Tennant has been "guiding therapist father figure" to Doctor Who's Ncuti Gatwa |url=https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/sci-fi/david-tennant-guiding-ncuti-gatwa-newsupdate/ |access-date=2 April 2025 |work=Radio Times |date=25 April 2024}}</ref> Additionally, multiple incarnations of the Doctor have met in various [[#Audio|audio dramas]] and [[#Books|novels]] based on the television show.<ref>{{Cite web |date=25 September 2017 |title=Two, three, four Doctors are better than one! - News - Big Finish |url=https://www.bigfinish.com/news/v/two-three-four-doctors-are-better-than-one |access-date=31 January 2024 |website=Big Finish}}</ref>

===Companions===
{{Main|Companion (Doctor Who){{!}}Companion {{(-}}''Doctor Who'')}}
The companion figure&nbsp;– generally a human&nbsp;– has been a constant feature in ''Doctor Who'' since the programme's inception in 1963. One of the roles of the companion is to be a reminder for the Doctor's "moral duty".<ref name="Overview">{{Cite news |date=19 November 2008 |title=Doctor Who (before the Tardis) |work=BBC News |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/magazine/7736130.stm |url-status=live |access-date=22 May 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090111180257/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/magazine/7736130.stm |archive-date=11 January 2009}}</ref> The Doctor's first companions seen on-screen were his granddaughter [[Susan Foreman]] ([[Carole Ann Ford]]) and her teachers [[Barbara Wright (Doctor Who)|Barbara Wright]] ([[Jacqueline Hill]]) and [[Ian Chesterton]] ([[William Russell (English actor)|William Russell]]). These characters were intended to act as [[audience surrogates]], through which the audience would discover information about the Doctor, who was to act as a mysterious father figure.<ref name=Overview/> The only story from the original series in which the Doctor travels alone is "[[The Deadly Assassin]]" (1976).<ref>{{Cite news |last=Martin |first=Dan |date=14 June 2013 |title=The Deadly Assassin: Doctor Who classic episode #8 |url=https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/tvandradioblog/2013/jun/14/deadly-assassin-doctor-who-classic-episode |access-date=25 April 2024 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}</ref> Notable companions from the earlier series include a [[Time Lord|Time Lady]] named [[Romana (Doctor Who)|Romana]] ([[Mary Tamm]] and [[Lalla Ward]]), and humans such as [[Jamie McCrimmon]] ([[Frazer Hines]]), [[Jo Grant]] ([[Katy Manning]]), [[Sarah Jane Smith]] ([[Elisabeth Sladen]]), [[Tegan Jovanka]] ([[Janet Fielding]]), [[Peri Brown]] ([[Nicola Bryant]]), and [[Ace (Doctor Who)|Ace]] ([[Sophie Aldred]]).<ref>{{Cite web |title=Doctor Who companions in order: From Susan Foreman to Ruby Sunday |url=https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/sci-fi/doctor-who-companions-in-order/ |access-date=25 April 2024 |website=Radio Times |language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Burton |first=Jak |date=15 January 2022 |title=10 Classic Doctor Who Characters That Should Make A Return |url=https://screenrant.com/classic-doctor-who-characters-should-return/ |access-date=25 April 2024 |website=ScreenRant |language=en}}</ref> Dramatically, these characters provide a figure with whom the audience can identify and serve to further the story by requesting exposition from the Doctor and manufacturing peril for the Doctor to resolve. The Doctor regularly gains new companions and loses old ones;<ref name="Alien Companions">{{Cite web |last=Oakman |first=Emma Susan |date=24 March 2022 |title=Doctor Who Should Include More Alien Companions |url=https://gamerant.com/doctor-who-should-include-more-alien-companions/ |access-date=23 April 2024 |website=Game Rant |language=en}}</ref> sometimes they return home or find new causes—or loves—on worlds they have visited. Some have died during the course of the series.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Donaldson |first=Mark |date=25 October 2022 |title=It Took 40 Years, But Doctor Who Finally Honored Adric's Death |url=https://screenrant.com/doctor-who-adric-death-tegan-cyberman-reference/ |access-date=23 April 2024 |website=ScreenRant |language=en}}</ref> Companions are usually humans or humanoid aliens.<ref name="Alien Companions" />

[[File:Matt Smith and Karen Gillan at Salford (cropped).jpg|thumb|right|[[Karen Gillan]] (pictured in 2010 with the Eleventh Doctor, [[Matt Smith]]) played the Doctor's companion [[Amy Pond]].]]
Since the 2005 revival, the Doctor generally travels with a primary female companion, who occupies a larger narrative role. Steven Moffat described the companion as the main character of the show, as the story begins anew with each companion and she undergoes more change than the Doctor.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Jones |first=Paul |date=19 April 2012 |title=Steven Moffat: the companion is the main character in Doctor Who, not the Doctor |url=http://www.radiotimes.com/news/2012-04-19/steven-moffat-the-companion-is-the-main-character-in-doctor-who-not-the-doctor |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131203120410/http://www.radiotimes.com/news/2012-04-19/steven-moffat-the-companion-is-the-main-character-in-doctor-who-not-the-doctor |archive-date=3 December 2013 |access-date=28 November 2013 |website=Radio Times |publisher=[[BBC Magazines]]}}</ref><ref name="MoffatColeman">{{Cite web |last=Berkshire |first=Geoff |date=27 March 2013 |title='Doctor Who' returns: Steven Moffat talks new companion Clara and Jenna-Louise Coleman |url=http://blog.zap2it.com/frominsidethebox/2013/03/doctor-who-returns-steven-moffat-talks-new-companion-clara-and-jenna-louise-coleman.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131203002317/http://blog.zap2it.com/frominsidethebox/2013/03/doctor-who-returns-steven-moffat-talks-new-companion-clara-and-jenna-louise-coleman.html |archive-date=3 December 2013 |access-date=28 November 2013 |publisher=[[Zap2it]]}}</ref> The primary companions of the [[Companion (Doctor Who)#Ninth Doctor|Ninth]] and [[Companion (Doctor Who)#Tenth Doctor|Tenth]] Doctors were [[Rose Tyler]] ([[Billie Piper]]), [[Martha Jones]] ([[Freema Agyeman]]), and [[Donna Noble]] ([[Catherine Tate]]), with [[Mickey Smith]] ([[Noel Clarke]]) and [[Jack Harkness]] ([[John Barrowman]]) recurring as secondary companion figures.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Orthia |first=Lindy A. |year=2010 |title="Sociopathetic Abscess" or "Yawning Chasm"? The Absent Postcolonial Transition in ''Doctor Who'' |url=http://jcl.sagepub.com/cgi/content/abstract/45/2/207 |url-status=live |journal=Journal of Commonwealth Literature |volume=45 |issue=2 |pages=207–225 |doi=10.1177/0021989410366891 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191219132743/http://jcl.sagepub.com/cgi/content/abstract/45/2/207 |archive-date=19 December 2019 |access-date=28 November 2013 |hdl-access=free |hdl=10440/1261 |s2cid=142983255|issn = 0021-9894}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Box |first=Christy |date=2 December 2020 |title=Doctor Who: Why Captain Jack Harkness Never Met Eleven Or Twelve |url=https://screenrant.com/doctor-who-captain-jack-moffat-11-12-absent-reasons/ |access-date=26 January 2024 |website=ScreenRant}}</ref> The [[Eleventh Doctor]] became the first to travel with a married couple, [[Amy Pond]] ([[Karen Gillan]]) and [[Rory Williams]] ([[Arthur Darvill]]), whilst out-of-sync meetings with [[River Song (Doctor Who)|River Song]] ([[Alex Kingston]])<ref>{{Cite web |date=5 November 2018 |title=River Song's ridiculously complex timeline explained |url=https://www.digitalspy.com/tv/a855886/doctor-who-timeline-river-song-chronology-episodes-alex-kingston/ |access-date=26 January 2024 |website=Digital Spy}}</ref> and [[Clara Oswald]] ([[Jenna Coleman]])<ref name="MoffatColeman" /> provided ongoing story arcs that continued with the [[Twelfth Doctor]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Elvy |first=Craig |date=12 July 2020 |title=Doctor Who: How Clara Became Immortal (& Still Died) |url=https://screenrant.com/doctor-who-clara-immortality-death-explained/ |access-date=26 January 2024 |website=ScreenRant}}</ref> The [[Doctor Who (series 10)|tenth series]] included the alien [[Nardole]] ([[Matt Lucas]])<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Collis |first=Clark |date=14 June 2016 |title='Bridesmaids' actor joins 'Doctor Who' cast |url=https://ew.com/article/2016/06/14/doctor-who-matt-lucas/ |access-date=26 January 2024 |magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]]}}</ref> and introduced [[Pearl Mackie]] as [[Bill Potts (Doctor Who)|Bill Potts]],<ref>{{Cite web |date=23 April 2016 |title=Doctor Who: Pearl Mackie named as new companion |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-36111598 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160424000033/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-36111598 |archive-date=24 April 2016 |access-date=24 April 2016 |website=BBC}}</ref> the Doctor's first openly gay companion. Pearl Mackie said that the increased representation of LGBTQ people is important on a mainstream show.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Hawkes |first=Rebecca |date=31 March 2017 |title=Bill Potts |work=The Telegraph |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/tv/0/doctor-new-companion-bill-potts-gay-actress-says-time/ |url-status=live |access-date=5 April 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180101132249/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/tv/0/doctor-new-companion-bill-potts-gay-actress-says-time/ |archive-date=1 January 2018}}</ref> The [[Thirteenth Doctor]] primarily travelled with [[Ryan Sinclair]] ([[Tosin Cole]]), [[Graham O'Brien]] ([[Bradley Walsh]]), [[Yasmin Khan (Doctor Who)|Yasmin Khan]] ([[Mandip Gill]]),<ref>{{Cite web |date=23 October 2017 |title=Doctor Who: Bradley Walsh among three new cast members |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-41716877 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171023125227/https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-41716877 |archive-date=23 October 2017 |access-date=20 March 2022 |website=BBC}}</ref> and [[Companion (Doctor Who)#Thirteenth Doctor|Dan Lewis]] ([[John Bishop]]).<ref>{{Cite web |date=1 January 2021 |title=Comedian John Bishop joins Doctor Who cast |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-55509582 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211101105713/https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-55509582 |archive-date=1 November 2021 |access-date=20 March 2022 |website=BBC}}</ref> When David Tennant returned as the [[Fourteenth Doctor]], former co-star Catherine Tate joined him to reprise her role of Donna Noble for the 2023 specials.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Mbimba |first1=Lizo |title=Doctor Who: David Tennant and Catherine Tate to return |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-61455936 |access-date=2 April 2025 |work=BBC News |date=15 May 2022}}</ref> The [[Fifteenth Doctor]] travelled with [[Ruby Sunday]] ([[Millie Gibson]])<ref>{{cite news |last1=Murray |first1=Tom |title=Doctor Who: Coronation Street star Millie Gibson announced as Ncuti Gatwa's companion |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/news/doctor-who-ncuti-gatwa-millie-gibson-b2228583.html |access-date=2 April 2025 |work=The Independent |date=19 November 2022}}</ref> in his first series and [[Belinda Chandra]] ([[Varada Sethu]])<ref>{{cite news |last1=Hibbs |first1=James |title=Doctor Who reveals who Varada Sethu will be playing |url=https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/sci-fi/doctor-who-varada-sethu-character-newsupdate/ |access-date=2 April 2025 |work=Radio Times |date=27 July 2024}}</ref> in his second. The combination of Gatwa and Sethu was notable for being the first time the primary cast of the show consisted entirely of non-white actors.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Khomami |first1=Nadia |title='Woke' criticism of Doctor Who proves show on right track, says its newest star |url=https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2025/apr/01/woke-criticism-of-doctor-who-proves-show-on-right-track-says-its-newest-star |access-date=2 April 2025 |work=The Guardian |date=1 April 2025}}</ref>

Some companions have gone on to reappear, either in the main series or in spin-offs. Sarah Jane Smith became the central character in ''[[The Sarah Jane Adventures]]'' (2007–2011) following a return to ''Doctor Who'' in 2006. Guest stars in the series include former companions Jo Grant, [[K9 (Doctor Who)|K9]], and [[Brigadier Lethbridge-Stewart]] ([[Nicholas Courtney]]).<ref>{{Cite web |title=Doctor Who companions in order: From Susan Foreman to Ruby Sunday |url=https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/sci-fi/doctor-who-companions-in-order/ |access-date=26 January 2024 |website=Radio Times}}</ref> The character of Jack Harkness also served to launch a spin-off, ''[[Torchwood]]'' (2006–2011), in which Martha Jones also appeared.<ref>{{Cite web |title=BBC - Doctor Who - Martha Jones - Character Guide |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/doctorwho/s4/characters/martha |access-date=25 January 2024 |website=bbc.co.uk}}</ref>

===Foes===
{{See also|List of Doctor Who universe creatures and aliens{{!}}List of ''Doctor Who'' universe creatures and aliens|List of Doctor Who villains{{!}}List of ''Doctor Who'' villains}}
When Sydney Newman commissioned the series, he specifically did not want to perpetuate the cliché of the "[[bug-eyed monster]]" of science fiction.<ref>{{Cite news |date=19 November 2008 |title=Doctor Who (before the Tardis) |publisher=[[BBC Magazine]] |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/magazine/7736130.stm |url-status=live |access-date=3 January 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090103012904/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/magazine/7736130.stm |archive-date=3 January 2009}}</ref> However, [[monster]]s were popular with audiences and so became a staple of ''Doctor Who'' almost from the beginning.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Wells |first=Bobby |date=24 January 2022 |title=Doctor Who villains, ranked |url=https://www.space.com/doctor-who-villains-ranked-worst-to-best |access-date=25 April 2024 |website=[[Space.com]] |language=en}}</ref> [[Dalek]]s, [[Cybermen]], and the Master are some of the most iconic [[Enemy|foes]] the Doctor has battled in the series.<ref name="DeadliestVillains" />

With the show's 2005 revival, executive producer Russell T Davies stated his intention to reintroduce the classic monsters of ''Doctor Who''.<ref>{{Cite news |date=19 June 2005 |title=Doctor Who series two secrets revealed |publisher=BBC |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/cbbcnews/hi/newsid_4100000/newsid_4104500/4104586.stm |url-status=live |access-date=29 August 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130928080056/http://news.bbc.co.uk/cbbcnews/hi/newsid_4100000/newsid_4104500/4104586.stm |archive-date=28 September 2013}}</ref> The [[Auton]]s with the Nestene Consciousness, first seen in 1970's [[Spearhead from Space]], and Daleks, first seen in 1963's [[The Daleks]], returned in series 1. Davies's successor, Steven Moffat, continued the trend by reviving the [[Silurians]], also first seen in 1970, in series 5 and [[Zygon]]s, first seen in 1975, in the 50th-anniversary special.<ref>{{Cite AV media |title=Monster Files: Cybermats |publisher=iTunes Store |year=2011}}</ref> Since its 2005 return, the series has also introduced new recurring aliens: [[Slitheen]] (Raxacoricofallapatorians), [[Ood]], [[Judoon]], [[Weeping Angel]]s and [[Silence (Doctor Who)|the Silence]].<ref name="DeadliestVillains" /><ref>{{Cite web |last=Burton |first=Jak |date=16 October 2021 |title=10 Best Doctor Who Monsters |url=https://screenrant.com/doctor-who-best-monsters/ |access-date=30 January 2024 |website=ScreenRant}}</ref>

====Daleks====
{{Main|Dalek}}
[[File:Dalek (10634451635).jpg|thumb|upright=0.6|A Dalek at the ''Doctor Who'' Experience, [[Cardiff]]]]

The Daleks, which first appeared in the show's [[The Daleks|second serial]] in 1963,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Griffin |first=Louise |date=21 December 2023 |title=Doctor Who star Nicholas Briggs celebrates 60 years of the Daleks |url=https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/sci-fi/doctor-who-daleks-nicholas-briggs-exclusive-newsupdate/ |access-date=13 May 2024 |website=[[Radio Times]] |language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Farmer |first=Sarah |date=21 December 2023 |title=Doctor Who: TV crew member recalls genesis of the Daleks |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-hampshire-67509239 |access-date=13 May 2024 |website=[[BBC News]]}}</ref> are ''Doctor Who''{{'}}s oldest villains. The Daleks are Kaleds from the planet [[Skaro]], mutated by the scientist [[Davros]] and housed in mechanical armour shells for mobility. The actual creatures resemble octopuses with large, pronounced brains. Their armour shells have a single eye-stalk, a sink-plunger-like device that serves the purpose of a hand, and a [[directed-energy weapon]]. Their main weakness is their eyestalk;  attacks upon them using various weapons can blind a Dalek, making it go mad. Their chief role in the series plot, as they frequently remark in their instantly recognisable metallic voices, is to "exterminate" all non-Dalek beings. They even attack the [[Time Lords]] in the [[Time War (Doctor Who)|Time War]], as shown during the 50th Anniversary of the show. They continue to be a recurring 'monster' within the Doctor Who franchise, having appeared in every series since 2005.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Blair |first1=Andrew |date=8 August 2023 |title=Doctor Who: No, It's Not Time To Rest the Daleks |url=https://www.denofgeek.com/tv/doctor-who-not-time-to-rest-the-daleks/ |access-date=13 May 2024 |website=Den of Geek}}</ref> Davros has also been a recurring figure since his debut in ''[[Genesis of the Daleks]]'', although played by several different actors.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Draven |first=Derek |date=12 April 2020 |title=Doctor Who: 5 Best Davros Moments (& 5 Of His Worst) |url=https://screenrant.com/doctor-who-davros-best-worst-moments/ |access-date=13 May 2024 |website=ScreenRant |language=en}}</ref>

The Daleks were created by the writer [[Terry Nation]] (who intended them to be an [[allegory]] of the [[Nazis]])<ref>{{Cite web |title=Nation, Terry |url=http://www.museum.tv/archives/etv/N/htmlN/nationterry/nationterry.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061210152526/http://www.museum.tv/archives/etv/N/htmlN/nationterry/nationterry.htm |archive-date=10 December 2006 |access-date=19 May 2008}}</ref> and BBC designer [[Raymond Cusick]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=24 February 2013 |title=Doctor Who Dalek designer Ray Cusick dies after illness |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-21563344 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140104130915/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-21563344 |archive-date=4 January 2014 |access-date=27 October 2013 |publisher=BBC}}</ref> The Daleks' début in the programme's second serial, ''[[The Daleks]]'' (1963–1964), made both the Daleks and ''Doctor Who'' very popular. A Dalek appeared on a postage stamp celebrating British popular culture in 1999, photographed by [[Lord Snowdon]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=BBC News {{!}} Entertainment {{!}} Daleks get stamp of approval |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/273260.stm |access-date=13 May 2024 |website=news.bbc.co.uk}}</ref> The Daleks received another stamp in 2013 as part of the 50th anniversary.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Royal Mail to issue 'Doctor Who' stamps |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2013/01/02/royal-mail-to-issue-doctor-who-stamps/1805519/ |access-date=13 May 2024 |website=USA TODAY |language=en-US}}</ref> In "[[Victory of the Daleks]]" a new set of Daleks were introduced that come in a range of colours; the colour denoting its role within the species.<ref>{{Cite web |date=29 April 2010 |title=The New Daleks |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p007l73p |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180617174226/https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p007l73p |archive-date=17 June 2018 |access-date=12 February 2018 |publisher=BBC}}</ref>

==== Cybermen ====
{{Main|Cyberman}}
[[File:Cyberman from Doctor Who (529659465).jpg|thumb|upright=0.55|A 2006 Cyberman]]
Cybermen were originally a wholly organic species of humanoids originating on Earth's [[Counter-Earth|twin planet]] Mondas that began to implant more and more artificial parts into their bodies. This led to the race becoming coldly logical and calculating [[cyborg]]s, with emotions usually only shown when naked aggression was called for. With the demise of Mondas, they acquired Telos as their new home planet. They continue to be a recurring 'monster' within the ''Doctor Who'' franchise.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Norman |first1=Dalton |title=Doctor Who: The First Appearance Of The Cybermen Explained |url=https://screenrant.com/when-cybermen-first-appeared-doctor-who/ |access-date=10 June 2024 |work=Screen Rant |publisher=Valnet Inc. |date=6 April 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Wells |first1=Bobby |title=Doctor Who villains, ranked |url=https://www.space.com/doctor-who-villains-ranked-worst-to-best |access-date=10 June 2024 |work=Space.com |publisher=Future plc |date=24 January 2022}}</ref>

The Cybermen have evolved dramatically over the course of the show. They were reintroduced in the [[Doctor Who series 2|2006 series]] in the form of alternate universe aliens, with radically different back stories.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Mulkern |first1=Patrick |title=Rise of the Cybermen The Age of Steel ★★★ |url=https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/sci-fi/doctor-who-guide/rise-of-the-cybermen-the-age-of-steel/ |website=Radio Times |access-date=26 February 2024}}</ref> The standard Cybermen returned in "[[Closing Time (Doctor Who)|Closing Time]]", though they kept their 2006 design.<ref>{{Cite web |title=To Mondas and back again: a brief history of the Cybermen in Doctor Who |url=https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/sci-fi/cybermen-doctor-who-history-background/ |access-date=25 April 2024 |website=Radio Times |language=en-GB}}</ref> In the [[Doctor Who series 12|2020 series]], the Cybermen aligned themselves with The Master, and were given the ability to regenerate.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Blair |first=Andrew |date=27 May 2021 |title=Doctor Who: Ranking the Cybermen Stories - Which is the Best? |url=https://www.denofgeek.com/tv/doctor-who-ranking-the-cybermen-stories-which-is-the-best/ |access-date=25 April 2024 |website=Den of Geek |language=en-US}}</ref>

====The Master====
{{Main|The Master (Doctor Who){{!}}The Master {{(-}}''Doctor Who'')}}
The Master is the Doctor's [[archenemy]], a renegade [[Time Lord]] who desires to rule the universe. Conceived as "[[Professor Moriarty]] to the Doctor's [[Sherlock Holmes]]",<ref>''Doctor Who Magazine Special Edition'' No. 2, 5 September 2002, [subtitled ''The Complete Third Doctor''], p. 14.</ref> the character first appeared in 1971. As with the Doctor, the role has been portrayed by several actors, since the Master is a Time Lord as well and able to regenerate; the first of these actors was [[Roger Delgado]], who continued in the role until his death in 1973. The Master was briefly played by [[Peter Pratt]] and [[Geoffrey Beevers]] until [[Anthony Ainley]] took over and continued to play the character until ''Doctor Who''{{'}}s hiatus in 1989.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Doctor Who: Who is the Master? |url=https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/sci-fi/doctor-who-who-is-the-master/ |access-date=12 October 2024 |website=RadioTimes |language=en-GB}}</ref> The Master returned in the 1996 television movie of ''[[Doctor Who (1996 film)|Doctor Who]]'', and was played by American actor [[Eric Roberts]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Eric Roberts plays Doctor Who villain The Master in live-action for first time in 24 years |url=https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/sci-fi/doctor-who-eric-roberts-master/ |access-date=10 September 2024 |website=Radio Times |language=en-GB}}</ref>

Following the series revival in 2005, [[Derek Jacobi]] provided the character's reintroduction in the 2007 episode "[[Utopia (Doctor Who)|Utopia]]". During that story, the role was then assumed by [[John Simm]], who returned to the role multiple times throughout the [[Tenth Doctor]]'s tenure.<ref>{{Cite web |title=John Simm Returns for the Finale! |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/doctorwho/s4/news/latest/090728_news_02 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120418055321/http://www.bbc.co.uk/doctorwho/s4/news/latest/090728_news_02 |archive-date=18 April 2012 |access-date=20 December 2019}}</ref> In the 2014 episode "[[Dark Water (Doctor Who)|Dark Water]]", it was revealed that the Master had become a female incarnation or "Time Lady", going by the name of "Missy" (short for Mistress, the feminine equivalent of "Master"). This incarnation is played by [[Michelle Gomez]]. Simm returned to his role as the Master alongside Gomez in the [[Doctor Who (series 10)|tenth series]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=6 April 2017 |title=John Simm to return as the Master in Doctor Who |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/doctorwho/entries/9ecdaaa1-10e1-45a7-a266-bdd7a1adcdf2 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170406155936/http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/doctorwho/entries/9ecdaaa1-10e1-45a7-a266-bdd7a1adcdf2 |archive-date=6 April 2017 |access-date=6 April 2017 |publisher=BBC}}</ref> The Master returned for the 2020 [[Doctor Who (series 12)|twelfth series]] with [[Sacha Dhawan]] in the role.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Siede |first=Caroline |date=1 January 2020 |title=Doctor Who's New Year's special kicks off the new season with a bang |url=https://www.avclub.com/doctor-who-s-new-year-s-special-kicks-off-the-new-seaso-1840726984 |access-date=8 February 2022 |website=[[The A.V. Club]]}}</ref> This incarnation dubbed himself the "Spy Master" referencing a role he had taken with [[MI6]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Jeffery |first=Morgan |title=Doctor Who: How did Missy become Sacha Dhawan's Master? |url=https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/sci-fi/doctor-who-missy-master-sacha-dhawan/ |access-date=6 February 2024 |website=Radio Times}}</ref>