View source for Doctor Who

{{Short description|British science fiction TV series (1963–present)}}
{{Redirect|Dr. Who|3=Doctor Who (disambiguation)}}
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{{Use British English|date=November 2023}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2024}}
{{Infobox television
| image                = Doctor Who title card.png
| caption              = Title card (2024–present)
| genre                = {{unbulleted list
  | [[Science fiction on television|Science fiction]]
  | [[Adventure fiction|Adventure]]
  | [[Drama (film and television)|Drama]]
  }}
| creator              = {{unbulleted list
  | [[Sydney Newman]]
  | [[C. E. Webber]]
  | [[Donald Wilson (writer and producer)|Donald Wilson]]
  }}
| showrunner           = {{unbulleted list
  | [[List of Doctor Who producers#Showrunner / head writer|Various]]
  | ({{as of|2025|lc=y}}<!--year of latest episode-->, [[Russell T Davies]])
  }}
| writer               = [[List of Doctor Who writers|Various]]
| starring             = {{ubil
  | [[List of Doctor Who cast members|Various cast members]],<!--
  --><br />as [[List of actors who have played the Doctor|the Doctor]]<!--
  -->{{^|<br />({{as of|2025|lc=y}}<!--year of latest episode-->, )}}<!--
  --><br />and [[Companion (Doctor Who)|companions]]<!--
  -->{{^|<br />({{as of|2025|lc=y}}<!--year of latest episode-->, )}}
  }}
| theme_music_composer = [[Ron Grainer]]
| opentheme            = [[Doctor Who theme music|''Doctor Who'' theme music]]
| composer             = {{unbulleted list
  | [[List of Doctor Who composers|Various]]
  | ({{as of|2025|lc=y}}<!--year of latest episode-->, [[Murray Gold]])
  }}
| country              = United Kingdom
| language             = English
| num_seasons          = 26 (1963–1989)<!-- Please do not change to series. It is well documented that this term was used until 1989, and consensus has previously been reached -->
| num_series           = 15 (2005–present)<!-- This separation conforms with [[WP:WHO/MOS#Terminology]] -->
| num_episodes         = {{unbulleted list
  | {{DW episode count}} ([[Doctor Who missing episodes|97 missing]])<!--Do not report fewer missing until reliably confirmed.-->
  | {{DW episode count|story}} stories
}}
| list_episodes        = Lists of Doctor Who episodes
| executive_producer   = {{ubil
  | [[List of Doctor Who producers#Executive producer credits|Various]]
  | ({{as of|2025|lc=y}}<!--year of latest episode-->, Russell T Davies, [[Julie Gardner]], [[Jane Tranter]], Joel Collins, and [[Phil&nbsp;Collinson]])
  }}
| camera               = {{ubil
  | [[Multi-camera]] (1963–1989)
  | [[Single-camera]] (1996, 2005–present)
  }}
| runtime              = {{collapsible list|title={{nobold|18–90 minutes}}|
  | {{indented plainlist|
* 18–29 mins (1963–1984, 1986–1989){{efn|name=90min|Some special episodes have a running time of up to 90 minutes.}}
* 44–46 mins (1984, 1985)
* 85–89 mins (1996){{efn|The [[Doctor Who (film)|1996 television film]] has a running time in [[NTSC]] regions of 89 minutes. In [[PAL]] regions, the film is affected by [[PAL speedup]], shortening the running time to 85 minutes.<ref name="1996 Speedup"/>}}
* 41–76 mins (2005–present){{efn|name=90min}}
  }}
  }}
| network              = [[BBC1]]{{efn|name=bbctv|Known as BBC TV until 1964}}
| first_aired          = {{Start date|1963|11|23|df=y}}
| last_aired           = {{End date|1989|12|6|df=y}}
| network2             = [[Fox Broadcasting Company|Fox]] / BBC1{{efn|The [[Doctor Who (film)|1996 television film]] premiered on the Canadian station [[CITV-DT]] on 12 May 1996.}}
| first_aired2         = {{Start date|1996|5|14|df=y}} / 27 May 1996
| network3             = [[BBC One]]{{efn|name=iplayer24|From 2024, most new episodes were released online on [[BBC iPlayer]] ahead of their television broadcast on BBC One.}}
| first_aired3         = {{Start date|2005|3|26|df=y}}
| last_aired3          = present
| network4             = [[Disney+]]{{efn|Excluding the United Kingdom and Ireland}}
| first_aired4         = {{Start date|2023|11|25|df=y}}
| last_aired4          = {{End date|2025|5|31|df=y}}
| company              = [[BBC Studios Productions]]<br />[[Bad Wolf (production company)|Bad{{nbsp}}Wolf]]<span class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed">{{Unbulleted indent list|
  | [[BBC Television]] (1963–1989)
  | [[BBC Worldwide]] (1996)
  | [[Universal Television#Universal Television (original iteration)|Universal Television]] (1996)
  | [[BBC Wales]] (2005–2017)
  | BBC Studios Productions (2016–present)
  | Bad Wolf (2023–present)
  }}</span>
| related              = [[Whoniverse]]
}}

'''''Doctor Who''''' is a British [[science fiction on television|science fiction]] television series broadcast by the [[BBC]] since 1963. The series, created by [[Sydney Newman]], [[C. E. Webber]] and [[Donald Wilson (writer and producer)|Donald Wilson]], depicts the adventures of an [[Extraterrestrials in fiction|extraterrestrial being]] called [[the Doctor]], part of a [[humanoid]] species called [[Time Lord]]s. The Doctor travels in the universe and in time using a [[time travelling]] [[Spacecraft|spaceship]] called the [[TARDIS]], which externally appears as a British [[police box]]. While travelling, the Doctor works to save lives and liberate [[oppressed]] peoples by combating [[List of Doctor Who villains|foes]]. The Doctor usually travels with [[Companion (Doctor Who)|companions]].

Beginning with [[William Hartnell]], [[List of actors who have played the Doctor|fourteen actors]] have headlined the series as the Doctor; the most recent being [[Ncuti Gatwa]], who portrayed the [[Fifteenth Doctor]] from 2023 to 2025.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Belam |first=Martin |date=1 June 2025 |title=Doctor Who finale sees Ncuti Gatwa depart in surprise regeneration |url=https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2025/may/31/doctor-who-ncuti-gatwa-russell-t-davies |access-date=1 June 2025 |website=The Guardian}}</ref> The transition between actors is written into the plot of the series with the [[Regeneration (Doctor Who)|concept of regeneration]] into a new [[incarnation]], a [[plot device]] in which, when a Time Lord is fatally injured or weakened from old age, their cells regenerate and they are reincarnated into a different body with new mannerisms and behaviour but the same memories. This explains each actor's distinct portrayal, as they all represent different stages in the Doctor's life and, together, form a single lifetime with a single narrative. The time-travelling nature of the plot means that different incarnations of the Doctor occasionally meet. The Doctor can change ethnic appearance or gender; in 2017, [[Jodie Whittaker]] became the first woman cast in the lead role, and in 2023, Gatwa became the first black actor to lead the series. The different incarnations wear distinctive costumes; designers include [[Alexandra Tynan]] and [[Barbara Lane (costume designer)|Barbara Lane]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Evenden |first=Matt |date=2019-04-01 |title=Doctor Who Magazine Special: Costume Design |url=https://doctorwhomagazine.com/specials/doctor-who-magazine-special-costume-design/ |access-date=2025-11-10 |website=Doctor Who Magazine |language=en-GB}}</ref>

The series is a significant part of [[Culture of the United Kingdom|British popular culture]] and has gained a [[cult following]] overseas. It has influenced generations of British television professionals, many of whom grew up watching the series. [[Doctor Who fandom|Fans of the series]] are sometimes referred to as ''Whovians''. The series has been listed in ''[[Guinness World Records]]'' as the longest-running science-fiction television series in the world, as well as the "most successful" science-fiction series of all time, based on its overall broadcast ratings, [[DVD]] and book sales.

The series originally ran from 1963 to 1989. There was an unsuccessful attempt to revive regular production in 1996 with a [[backdoor pilot]] in the form of a television film titled ''[[Doctor Who (film)|Doctor Who]]''. The series was [[History of Doctor Who#Ninth Doctor|relaunched in 2005]] and was produced in-house by [[BBC Wales]] in [[Cardiff]].{{efn|Co-produced by BBC Wales and [[BBC Studios Productions]] in 2016–17, and BBC Studios Productions alone after the BBC's commercial production and BBC Worldwide were repurposed into BBC Studios in 2018. The show was still headquartered in Cardiff.}} Since 2023, the show has been co-produced by [[Bad Wolf (production company)|Bad Wolf]] and [[BBC Studios Productions]] in Cardiff. ''Doctor Who'' has spawned numerous [[Doctor Who spin-offs|spin-offs]] as part of the [[Whoniverse]], including comic books, films, novels and audio dramas, and the television series ''[[Torchwood]]'' (2006–2011), ''[[The Sarah Jane Adventures]]'' (2007–2011), ''[[K9 (TV series)|K9]]'' (2009–2010), ''[[Class (2016 TV series)|Class]]'' (2016), ''[[Tales of the TARDIS]]'' (2023–2024), and the upcoming ''[[The War Between the Land and the Sea]]''. It has been the subject of many [[List of Doctor Who parodies|parodies]] and references in popular culture.

{{TOC limit|3}}

==Premise==
''Doctor Who'' follows the adventures of the title character, a rogue [[Time Lord]]{{efn|It is revealed in the 2020 episode "[[The Timeless Children]]" that the Doctor does not originate from the same planet as the rest of the Time Lords.<ref name="timeless child">{{cite web |author=<!-- not stated --> |date=1 March 2022 |title=The History of the Timeless Child |url=https://www.doctorwho.tv/news-and-features/history-of-the-timeless-child |website=Doctor Who |location= |publisher=[[BBC Studios]] |access-date=22 June 2025 }}</ref>}} who goes by the name "[[the Doctor]]". The Doctor fled [[Gallifrey]], the planet of the Time Lords, in a stolen [[TARDIS]] ("Time and Relative Dimension(s) in Space"), a [[time machine]] that travels by materialising into, and dematerialising out of, the time vortex. The TARDIS has a vast interior but appears smaller on the outside, and is equipped with a "[[chameleon circuit]]" intended to make the machine take on the appearance of local objects as a disguise. Because of a malfunction, the Doctor's TARDIS remains fixed as a blue British [[police box]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Doctor Who: Why The Tardis Looks Like A Police Box |url=https://screenrant.com/doctor-who-tardis-police-box-reason/ |access-date=16 April 2023 |work=Screen Rant}}</ref>

Across time and space, the Doctor's many incarnations often find events that pique their curiosity, and try to prevent evil forces from harming innocent people or changing history, using only ingenuity and minimal resources, such as the versatile [[sonic screwdriver]]. The Doctor rarely travels alone and is often joined by one or more [[Companion (Doctor Who)|companions]] on these adventures; these companions are usually humans, owing to the Doctor's fascination with planet [[Earth]], which also leads to frequent collaborations with the international military task force [[UNIT]] when Earth is threatened.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bacon |first=Thomas |date=25 November 2023 |title=Doctor Who's UNIT: Origins & History With The Doctor Explained |url=https://screenrant.com/doctor-who-unit-scientific-advisers-history-explained/ |access-date=5 January 2024 |website=ScreenRant}}</ref> The Doctor is centuries old and, as a Time Lord, has the ability to [[Regeneration (Doctor Who)|regenerate]] when there is mortal damage to their body or when their body is weakened from old age.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Elvy |first=Craig |date=28 August 2019 |title=Why Each Doctor Regenerated In Doctor Who |url=https://screenrant.com/doctor-who-every-regeneration-reason/ |access-date=5 January 2024 |website=ScreenRant}}</ref> The Doctor's various incarnations have gained numerous recurring enemies during their travels, including the [[Dalek]]s, their creator [[Davros]], the [[Cybermen]], and the renegade Time Lord [[The Master (Doctor Who)|the Master]].<ref name="DeadliestVillains">{{Cite web |last1=Ashford |first1=Sage |last2=Lowthian |first2=Declan |date=23 September 2018 |title=The 25 Deadliest Doctor Who Villains in the Franchise, Ranked |url=https://www.cbr.com/doctor-who-villains-ranked/ |access-date=4 January 2024 |website=CBR}}</ref>

==History==
{{Main|History of Doctor Who{{!}}History of ''Doctor Who''}}
[[File:Filming episodes of The Abominable Snowmen for the Dr Who television series at Nant Ffrancon (1578091).jpg|thumb|Filming ''[[The Abominable Snowmen]]'' serial, which is now mostly missing, at Nant Ffrancon, Wales in 1967]]
''Doctor Who'' was originally intended to appeal to a family audience<ref>Howe, Stammers, Walker (1992), p. 3.</ref> as an educational programme using time travel as a means to explore scientific ideas and famous moments in history. The programme first appeared on the [[BBC One|BBC Television Service]] at 17:16:20 [[GMT]] on 23 November 1963; this was eighty seconds later than the scheduled programme time, because of announcements concerning the previous day's [[assassination of John F. Kennedy]].<ref>Howe, Stammers, Walker (1994), p. 54</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=16 August 2012 |title=An Unearthly Child |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b006q2x0 |url-status=deviated |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190626184328/http://www.bbc.co.uk/doctorwho/classic/episodeguide/unearthlychild/detail.shtml |archive-date=26 June 2019 |access-date=20 December 2019 |publisher=BBC}}</ref> It was to be a regular weekly programme, each episode 25 minutes of transmission length. Discussions and plans for the programme had been in progress for a year. The [[BBC television drama|head of drama]] [[Sydney Newman]] was mainly responsible for developing the programme, with the first format document for the series being written by Newman along with the head of the script department (later head of serials) [[Donald Wilson (writer and producer)|Donald Wilson]] and staff writer [[C. E. Webber]]; in a 1971 interview Wilson claimed to have named the series, and when this claim was put to Newman he did not dispute it.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Burk |first=Graeme |title=Head of Drama: The Memoir of Sydney Newman |date=2017 |publisher=[[ECW Press]] |isbn=978-1-77041-304-7 |location=[[Toronto]] |pages=450–1}}</ref> Writer [[Anthony Coburn]], [[Script editor|story editor]] [[David Whitaker (screenwriter)|David Whitaker]] and initial producer [[Verity Lambert]] also heavily contributed to the development of the series.<ref>Howe, Stammers, Walker (1994), pp. 157–230 ("Production Diary")</ref>{{efn|Newman is often given sole creator credit for the series. Some reference works such as ''The Complete Encyclopedia of Television Programs 1947–1979'' by Vincent Terrace erroneously credit Terry Nation with creating ''Doctor Who'', because of the way his name is credited in the two Peter Cushing films.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/5dk7pttwlywTJL6YgGR2HGP/who-created-who |title=Who Created Who? |access-date=14 October 2023}}</ref>}}

On 31 July 1963, Whitaker commissioned [[Terry Nation]] to write a story under the title ''The Mutants''. As originally written, the [[Dalek]]s and [[Thals]] were the victims of an alien [[neutron bomb]] attack but Nation later dropped the aliens and made the Daleks the aggressors. When the script was presented to Wilson, it was immediately rejected as the programme was not permitted to contain any "[[bug-eyed monster]]s". According to Lambert, "We didn't have a lot of choice—we only had the Dalek serial to go&nbsp;... We had a bit of a crisis of confidence because Donald [Wilson] was so adamant that we shouldn't make it. Had we had anything else ready we would have made that." Nation's script became the second ''Doctor Who'' serial&nbsp;– ''[[The Daleks]]'' (also known as ''The Mutants''). The serial introduced the eponymous aliens that would become the series' most popular monsters, dubbed "Dalekmania", and was responsible for the BBC's first merchandising boom.<ref>Steve Tribe; James Goss (2011). ''Dr Who: The Dalek Handbook''. [[BBC Books]]. [[Random House]]. {{ISBN|978-1-84990-232-8}}. p. 9.</ref>

{{Quote box
 | quote  = We had to rely on the story because there was little we could do with the effects. ''[[Star Wars (film)|Star Wars]]'' in a way was the turning point. Once ''Star Wars'' had happened, ''Doctor Who'' effectively was out of date from that moment on really, judged by that level of technological expertise.
 | source =&nbsp;—[[Philip Hinchcliffe]], producer of ''Doctor Who'' from 1974 to 1977, on why the "classic series" eventually fell behind other science fiction in production values and reputation, leading to its cancellation<ref>Voice-over commentary on the BBC DVD "''[[The Robots of Death]]''" (1977, 2000)</ref>
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The BBC drama department produced the programme for 26 seasons, broadcast on [[BBC One]].{{efn|name=bbctv}} Due to his increasingly poor health, [[William Hartnell]], first actor to play the Doctor, was succeeded by [[Patrick Troughton]] in 1966. In 1970, [[Jon Pertwee]] replaced Troughton and the series began production in colour. In 1974, [[Tom Baker]] was cast as the Doctor. His eccentric personality became hugely popular, with viewing figures for the series returning to a level not seen since the height of "Dalekmania" a decade earlier.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Lyons |first=Kevin |date=31 January 2014 |title=Tom Baker: the definitive Doctor Who? |url=https://www.bfi.org.uk/features/tom-baker-definitive-doctor-who |access-date=12 June 2020 |website=BFI}}</ref> After seven years in the role, Baker was replaced by [[Peter Davison]] in 1981, and [[Colin Baker]] replaced Davison in 1984. In 1985, the channel's controller [[Michael Grade]] cancelled the upcoming twenty-third season, forcing the series into an eighteen-month hiatus.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Jeffery |first=Morgan |date=23 November 2015 |title=In Defence of... Doctor Who in the 1980s |url=https://www.digitalspy.com/tv/a774897/in-defence-of-doctor-who-in-the-1980s/ |access-date=9 February 2024 |website=Digital Spy}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Ley |first=Shaun |date=29 May 2013 |title=Was Doctor Who rubbish in the 1980s? |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-22628484 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201116040256/https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-22628484 |archive-date=16 November 2020 |access-date=9 May 2020 |website=[[BBC News]]}}</ref><ref name="mcewan">{{cite web |last=McEwan |first=Cameron K. |date=3 December 2018 |title=Doctor Who star Peter Davison thinks he 'dodged a bullet' by quitting when he did |url=https://www.digitalspy.com/tv/a871595/peter-davison-doctor-who-exit-dodged-bullet/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201116040153/https://www.digitalspy.com/tv/a871595/peter-davison-doctor-who-exit-dodged-bullet/ |archive-date=16 November 2020 |access-date=9 May 2020 |website=[[Digital Spy]]}}</ref> In 1986, the series was recommissioned on the condition that Baker left the role of the Doctor,<ref name="mcewan"/> which was recast to [[Sylvester McCoy]] in 1987. Falling viewing numbers, a decline in the public perception of the series and a less-prominent transmission slot saw production ended in 1989 by [[Peter Cregeen]], the BBC's new head of series.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Graeme Burk |first=Robert Smith |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=iTUFAQAAQBAJ&q=peter+cregeen+cancelled+doctor+who&pg=PT520 |title=Who's 50: The 50 Doctor Who Stories to Watch Before You Die |date=2013 |publisher=ECW Press |isbn=9781770411661 |access-date=9 May 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201116040352/https://books.google.com/books?id=iTUFAQAAQBAJ&q=peter+cregeen+cancelled+doctor+who&pg=PT520 |archive-date=16 November 2020 |url-status=live}}</ref> Although it was effectively [[cancellation (television)|cancelled]], the BBC repeatedly affirmed over several years that the series would return.<ref name="8thdrspecial" />{{page needed|date=November 2025}}

While in-house production concluded, the BBC explored an independent production company to relaunch the series. [[Philip Segal]], a British [[expatriate]] who worked for [[Columbia Pictures]]' [[Columbia Pictures Television|television arm]] in the United States, had approached the BBC as early as July 1989, while the 26th season was still in production.<ref name="8thdrspecial">{{Cite magazine |date=2003 |title=The Complete Eighth Doctor |url=https://archive.org/details/Doctor_Who_Magazine_Special_Edition_05_-_The_Complete_Eighth_Doctor_2003 |magazine=Doctor Who Magazine |publisher=Panini Comics |edition=Special 5th}}</ref>{{page needed|date=October 2025}} Segal's negotiations eventually led to a [[Doctor Who (film)|''Doctor Who'' television film]] as a [[Television pilot|pilot]] for an American series, broadcast on the [[Fox Network]] in 1996, as an [[international co-production]] between Fox, [[Universal Pictures]], the BBC and [[BBC Worldwide]]. Starring [[Paul McGann]] as the Doctor, the film was successful in the UK (with 9.1&nbsp;million viewers), but was less so in the United States and did not lead to a series.<ref name="8thdrspecial" />{{page needed|date=November 2025}}

Licensed media such as novels and audio plays provided [[Doctor Who spin-offs|new stories]], but as a television programme, ''Doctor Who'' remained dormant. In September 2003,<ref>{{Cite news |last=Gibson |first=Owen |date=26 September 2003 |title=Doctor Who returns to BBC1 screens |work=The Guardian |location=London |url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2003/sep/26/bbc.broadcasting |url-status=live |access-date=20 January 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130930145106/http://www.theguardian.com/media/2003/sep/26/bbc.broadcasting |archive-date=30 September 2013}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Doctor Who returns to BBC ONE |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/pressoffice/pressreleases/stories/2003/09_september/26/dr_who.shtml |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061225183425/http://www.bbc.co.uk/pressoffice/pressreleases/stories/2003/9_september/26/dr_who.shtml |archive-date=25 December 2006 |access-date=23 July 2020 |website=bbc.co.uk}}</ref> [[BBC Television]] announced the in-house production of a new series, after several years of attempts by BBC Worldwide to find backing for a feature film version. The 2005 revival of ''Doctor Who'' is a direct [[Continuity (fiction)|plot continuation]] of the original 1963–1989 series and the 1996 television film. The executive producers of the new incarnation of the series were ''[[Queer as Folk (British TV series)|Queer as Folk]]'' writer [[Russell T Davies]] and [[BBC Cymru Wales]] head of drama [[Julie Gardner]]. From 2005, the series switched from a [[multi-camera]] to a [[single-camera]] setup.<ref>{{Cite web |title=BBC – Doctor Who – Graeme Harper Interview |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/doctorwho/s4/features/interviews/interview_advent_08_graeme_harper/page/4 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190102115557/http://www.bbc.co.uk/doctorwho/s4/features/interviews/interview_advent_08_graeme_harper/page/4 |archive-date=2 January 2019 |access-date=2 January 2019 |publisher=[[BBC]]}}</ref>

[[File:Peter Davison, Sylvester McCoy, Colin Baker (24 November 2013) (2).jpg|thumb|The 50th anniversary of ''Doctor Who'' convention, held over three days at the [[ExCeL London]] in November 2013, included an appearance of three former Doctors: pictured left to right: [[Peter Davison]], [[Sylvester McCoy]] and [[Colin Baker]].]]
Starring [[Christopher Eccleston]] as the Doctor, ''Doctor Who'' returned with the episode "[[Rose (Doctor Who episode)|Rose]]" on BBC One on 26 March 2005, after a 16-year hiatus of in-house production.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Doctor Who is Saturday night hit |publisher=BBC |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/4385801.stm |url-status=live |access-date=24 October 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191219132727/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/4385801.stm |archive-date=19 December 2019}}</ref> Eccleston left after one series and was replaced by [[David Tennant]].<ref>{{Cite book |last1=Davies |first1=Russell T |title=Doctor Who: The Writer's Tale: The Final Chapter |last2=Cook |first2=Benjamin |publisher=[[BBC Books]] |year=2010 |isbn=978-1-84607-861-3 |location=London |page=216}}</ref> Davies left the production team in 2009.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Brook |first1=Stephen |last2=Robbins |first2=Peter |date=23 December 2009 |title=Doctor Who's departing Davies reveals debt to Pop Idol |url=https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2009/dec/23/doctor-who-russell-davies-tennant |website=[[The Guardian]] |location=London |access-date=20 December 2023}}</ref> [[Steven Moffat]], a writer under Davies, was announced as his successor the year before;<ref>{{Cite news |date=13 June 2008 |title=Profile: Russell T Davies |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/7453623.stm |url-status=live |access-date=3 August 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180803163731/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/7453623.stm |archive-date=3 August 2018}}</ref> [[Matt Smith]] was announced as the new Doctor in January 2009.<ref>{{cite web |date=3 January 2009 |title=Matt Smith is the new Doctor |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/pressoffice/pressreleases/stories/2009/01_january/03/who.shtml |publisher=[[BBC]] |access-date=3 November 2025}}</ref> Smith decided to leave the role of the Doctor in 2013, the 50th anniversary year.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Masters |first=Tim |date=1 June 2013 |title=Matt Smith to leave Doctor Who at the end of year |work=[[BBC News]] |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-22741493 |url-status=live |access-date=11 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201116040239/https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-22741493 |archive-date=16 November 2020}}</ref> He was replaced by [[Peter Capaldi]].<ref>{{Cite news |date=4 August 2013 |title=Doctor Who: Peter Capaldi revealed as 12th Doctor |work=[[BBC News]] |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-23570354 |url-status=live |access-date=11 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140427073433/http://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-23570354 |archive-date=27 April 2014}}</ref>

In January 2016, Moffat announced that he would step down after the [[The Doctor Falls|2017 finale]], to be replaced by [[Chris Chibnall]] in 2018.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Dowell |first=Ben |title=Steven Moffat quits Doctor Who to be replaced by Chris Chibnall in 2018 |url=http://www.radiotimes.com/news/2016-01-22/doctor-who-showrunner-steven-moffat-quits-to-be-replaced-by-broadchurch-creator-chris-chibnall |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180714153522/https://www.radiotimes.com/news/2016-01-22/doctor-who-showrunner-steven-moffat-quits-to-be-replaced-by-broadchurch-creator-chris-chibnall/ |archive-date=14 July 2018 |access-date=22 January 2016 |website=RadioTimes}}</ref> A 2017 Christmas special with Capaldi's Doctor, "[[Twice Upon a Time (Doctor Who)|Twice Upon a Time]]", was made before the handover to Chibnall; it was not a part of Moffat's initial plans in 2016.<ref>{{cite web |last=Jeffery |first=Morgan |date=2 August 2017 |title=Steven Moffat reveals how Doctor Who's Christmas specials almost disappeared forever |url=https://www.digitalspy.com/tv/cult/a834617/doctor-who-christmas-special-almost-scrapped/ |website=[[Digital Spy]] |access-date=3 November 2025 }}</ref> [[Jodie Whittaker]], the first female Doctor, appeared in three series, the last of which was shortened due to the [[COVID-19 pandemic]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=11 November 2020 |title=Doctor Who boss confirms series 13 will be shorter as filming begins |url=https://www.digitalspy.com/tv/a34645768/doctor-who-series-13-shorter-filming-starts/ |access-date=4 January 2024 |website=Digital Spy}}</ref>

Both Whittaker and Chibnall announced that they would depart the series after a series of specials [[Doctor Who specials (2022)|in 2022]].<ref>{{cite web |last=Kanter |first=Jake |date=29 July 2021 |title='Doctor Who': BBC Confirms Jodie Whittaker & Chris Chibnall Are Leaving The Iconic Sci-Fi Series |url=https://deadline.com/2021/07/doctor-who-jodie-whittaker-chris-chibnall-quit-bbc-show-1234802150/ |accessdate=4 January 2024 |work=[[Deadline Hollywood]]}}</ref> Davies returned as showrunner from the [[Doctor Who (2023 specials)|60th anniversary specials]] in 2023.<ref name="RTDreturns"/> [[Bad Wolf (production company)|Bad Wolf]] co-produces the series in partnership with [[BBC Studios Productions]]; from 2022–2025<!--Deal and filming in 2022, broadcast from 2023--> [[Disney]] supported global distribution of the show as part of a 26-episode agreement that included both ''Doctor Who'' and spin-off miniseries ''[[The War Between the Land and the Sea]]'' (2025).<ref>{{cite web |url=https://inews.co.uk/news/entertainment/doctor-who-bbc-partnering-disney-transform-show-global-franchise-1933434 |title=Doctor Who: BBC partnering with Disney to 'transform show into global franchise' with 'shared creative vision' |last=Duffy |first=Nick |work=[[i (British newspaper)|i]] |date=25 October 2022 |accessdate=31 December 2023 }}</ref><ref name="deadline 2810">{{cite web |last=Goldbart |first=Max |date=28 October 2025 |title=Disney+ Officially Exiting 'Doctor Who' Partnership With BBC After Two Seasons |url=https://deadline.com/2025/10/doctor-who-disney-plus-pulling-out-bbc-christmas-special-1236600026/ |website=[[Deadline Hollywood]] |location=Los Angeles |publisher=Penske Media Corporation |access-date=2 November 2025}}</ref> Bad Wolf's involvement sees Gardner return to the series alongside Davies and [[Jane Tranter]], who recommissioned the series in 2005.<ref name="RTDreturns">{{Cite web |last=Whittock |first=Jesse |date=24 September 2021 |title=Russell T Davies returns to Doctor Who |url=https://www.broadcastnow.co.uk/drama/russell-t-davies-returns-to-doctor-who/5163606.article |access-date=25 September 2021 |website=[[Broadcast (magazine)|Broadcast]]}}</ref>

David Tennant returned to the role for the 60th anniversary specials,<ref>{{cite web |date=23 October 2022 |title=Doctor Who: Here they come... |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/2022/doctor-who-david-tennant-14th-doctor |website=BBC Media Centre |location= |publisher=[[BBC]] |access-date=2 November 2025}}</ref> and [[Ncuti Gatwa]] played the Doctor for two seasons between 2023 and 2025.<ref>{{cite web |last=Griffin |first=Louise |date=14 September 2025 |title=Ncuti Gatwa recalls difficult decision to leave Doctor Who: 'I had to wrestle with myself' |url=https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/sci-fi/doctor-who-ncuti-gatwa-difficult-decision-newsupdate/ |website=[[Radio Times]] |location=London |publisher=[[Immediate Media Company]] |access-date=2 November 2025 }}</ref> A Christmas special written by Davies but without Disney's or Gatwa's involvement is scheduled for 2026.<ref name="deadline 2810"/><ref>{{cite web |date=28 October 2025 |title=BBC confirms future of Doctor Who and a new Christmas Special in 2026 |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/2025/doctor-who-future-confirmed-new-christmas-special-2026 |website=BBC Media Centre |location= |publisher=[[BBC]] |access-date=2 November 2025}}</ref>

===Public consciousness===
It has been claimed that the transmission of the first episode was delayed by ten minutes due to extended news coverage of the [[Assassination of John F. Kennedy|assassination]] of US President [[John F. Kennedy]] the previous day; in fact, it went out after a delay of eighty seconds.<ref>{{Cite book |last1=Howe |first1=David J. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=V075SAAACAAJ |title=The Television Companion: The Unofficial and Unauthorised Guide to Doctor Who |last2=Walker |first2=Stephen James |publisher=[[Telos Publishing]] |year=2004 |isbn=1-903889-51-0 |edition=2nd |location=[[Canterbury]] |author-link=David J. Howe}}</ref> The BBC believed that coverage of the assassination, as well as a series of power blackouts across the country, had caused many viewers to miss this introduction to a new series, and it was broadcast again on 30 November 1963, just before episode two.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Kenneth Muir |first=John |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=qMKSCgAAQBAJ&q=doctor+who+unearthly+child+30+november+1963+jfk&pg=PA11 |title=A Critical History of Doctor Who on Television |date=15 September 2015 |publisher=McFarland |isbn=9781476604541 |access-date=11 February 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201116040141/https://books.google.com/books?id=qMKSCgAAQBAJ&q=doctor+who+unearthly+child+30+november+1963+jfk&pg=PA11 |archive-date=16 November 2020 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Doctor Who's First Episode: An Unearthly Child |url=http://www.televisionheaven.co.uk/dw3.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121015194327/http://televisionheaven.co.uk/dw3.htm |archive-date=15 October 2012 |access-date=6 September 2013 |publisher=televisionheaven.co.uk}}</ref>

[[File:Doctor Who Experience (13080763345).jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|left|The [[Doctor Who exhibitions|''Doctor Who Experience'']] in [[Cardiff]]. The programme's broad appeal attracts audiences of children and families as well as [[science fiction fans]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Leith |first=Sam |date=4 July 2008 |title=Worshipping Doctor Who from behind the sofa |work=The Daily Telegraph |location=London |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/opinion/main.jhtml?xml=/opinion/2008/07/05/do0502.xml |url-status=dead |access-date=7 July 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080706030948/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/opinion/main.jhtml?xml=%2Fopinion%2F2008%2F07%2F05%2Fdo0502.xml |archive-date=6 July 2008}}</ref>]]

The programme soon became a national institution in the United Kingdom, with a large following among the general viewing audience.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Clark |first=Anthony |title=Doctor Who (1963–89, 2005–) |url=http://www.screenonline.org.uk/tv/id/454592/index.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070207192801/http://www.screenonline.org.uk/tv/id/454592/index.html |archive-date=7 February 2007 |access-date=21 March 2007 |website=[[Screenonline]] |quote=The science fiction adventure series Doctor Who (BBC, 1963–89) has created a phenomenon unlike any other British TV programme.}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Tulloch |first=John |title=Doctor Who |url=http://www.museum.tv/archives/etv/D/htmlD/doctorwho/doctorwho.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070211080018/http://www.museum.tv/archives/etv/D/htmlD/doctorwho/doctorwho.htm |archive-date=11 February 2007 |access-date=21 March 2007 |website=[[Museum of Broadcast Communications]] |quote=The official fans have never amounted to more than a fraction of the audience. Doctor Who achieved the status of an institution as well as a cult.}}</ref> The show received controversy over the suitability of the series for children. Morality campaigner [[Mary Whitehouse]] repeatedly complained to the BBC over what she saw as the programme's violent, frightening and gory content. According to ''[[Radio Times]]'', the series "never had a more implacable foe than Mary Whitehouse".<ref>{{Cite web |title=Doctor Who's most controversial episodes |url=https://www.radiotimes.com/news/tv/2020-08-07/doctor-who-controversial-episodes/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201116040155/https://www.radiotimes.com/news/tv/2020-08-07/doctor-who-controversial-episodes/ |archive-date=16 November 2020 |access-date=13 August 2020 |website=Radio Times}}</ref>

A BBC audience research survey conducted in 1972 found that, by their own definition of violence ("any act[s] which may cause physical and/or psychological injury, hurt or death to persons, animals or property, whether intentional or accidental"), ''Doctor Who'' was the most violent of the drama programmes the corporation produced at the time.<ref name="times-violence">{{Cite news |last=Howard |first=Philip |date=29 January 1972 |title=Violence is not really Dr Who's cup of tea |page=2 |work=The Times}}</ref> The same report found that 3% of the surveyed audience believed the series was "very unsuitable" for family viewing.<ref>{{Cite news |date=27 January 1972 |title=The Times Diary—Points of view |page=16 |work=The Times}}</ref> Responding to the findings of the survey in ''[[The Times]]'' newspaper, journalist Philip Howard maintained that, "to compare the violence of ''Dr Who'', sired by a horse-laugh out of a nightmare, with the more realistic violence of other television series, where actors who look like human beings bleed paint that looks like blood, is like comparing [[Monopoly (game)|Monopoly]] with the property market in London: both are fantasies, but one is meant to be taken seriously."<ref name="times-violence" />

During [[Jon Pertwee]]'s [[Doctor Who season 8|second season]] as the Doctor, in the serial ''[[Terror of the Autons]]'' (1971), images of murderous plastic dolls, daffodils killing unsuspecting victims, and blank-featured policemen marked the apex of the series' ability to frighten children.<ref>{{Cite web |title=BBC&nbsp;– Doctor Who Classic Episode Guide&nbsp;– Terror of the Autons |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b006q2x0 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130418002618/http://www.bbc.co.uk/doctorwho/classic/episodeguide/terrorautons/detail.shtml |archive-date=18 April 2013 |access-date=25 October 2013 |publisher=BBC}}</ref> Other notable moments in that decade include a disembodied brain falling to the floor in ''[[The Brain of Morbius]]''<ref>{{Cite web |title=Doctor Who Classic Episode Guide&nbsp;– The Brain of Morbius |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b006q2x0 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130119031338/http://www.bbc.co.uk/doctorwho/classic/episodeguide/brainmorbius/detail.shtml |archive-date=19 January 2013 |access-date=25 October 2013 |publisher=BBC}}</ref> and the Doctor apparently being drowned by a villain in ''[[The Deadly Assassin]]'' (both 1976).<ref>{{Cite web |title=BBC&nbsp;– Doctor Who Classic Episode Guide&nbsp;– The Deadly Assassin |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b006q2x0 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140330042451/http://www.bbc.co.uk/doctorwho/classic/episodeguide/deadlyassassin/detail.shtml |archive-date=30 March 2014 |access-date=25 October 2013 |publisher=BBC}}</ref> Mary Whitehouse's complaint about the latter incident prompted a change in BBC policy towards the series, with much tighter controls imposed on the production team,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Season 14 |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/doctorwho/classic/episodeguide/season14.shtml |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201116040154/http://www.bbc.co.uk/doctorwho/classic/episodeguide/season14.shtml |archive-date=16 November 2020 |access-date=13 August 2020 |website=[[BBC Online]]}}</ref> and the series' next producer, [[Graham Williams (television producer)|Graham Williams]], was under a directive to take out "anything graphic in the depiction of violence".<ref>{{Cite book |last1=David J. Howe |title=Doctor Who: The Seventies |last2=Mark Stammers |last3=Stephen Walker |publisher=Dr Who |year=1994 |isbn=978-1852274443 |page=120}}</ref> [[John Nathan-Turner]] produced the series during the 1980s and said in the documentary ''[[Doctor Who: Thirty Years in the TARDIS|More Than Thirty Years in the TARDIS]]'' that he looked forward to Whitehouse's comments because the ratings of the series would increase soon after she had made them. Nathan-Turner also got into trouble with BBC executives over the violence he allowed to be depicted for [[Doctor Who season 22|season 22]] of the series in 1985, which was publicly criticised by controller [[Michael Grade]] and given as one of his reasons for suspending the series for 18 months.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Banks |first=David |title=Doctor Who: Cybermen |publisher=WH Allen & Co |year=1990 |isbn=0352327383 |page=126}}</ref>

The phrase "hiding {{visible anchor|behind the sofa}}" (or "watching from behind the sofa") entered British [[pop culture]], signifying the stereotypical but apocryphal early-series behaviour of children who wanted to avoid seeing frightening parts of a [[television program]]me while remaining in the room to watch the remainder of it.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Leith |first=Sam |date=4 July 2008 |title=Worshipping Doctor Who from behind the sofa |work=[[The Daily Telegraph]] |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/comment/columnists/samleith/3560202/Worshipping-Doctor-Who-from-behind-the-sofa.html |url-status=live |access-date=5 July 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081220124127/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/comment/columnists/samleith/3560202/Worshipping-Doctor-Who-from-behind-the-sofa.html |archive-date=20 December 2008 |quote=The cliché about ''Doctor Who''—that it had us "hiding behind the sofa"—is more telling in its tone than its questionable factuality. It connotes nostalgia, and a pleasurable mixture of fright and fascination—but above all it connotes domesticity. It united fear and soft furnishings in the British mind.}}</ref><ref name="times">"Still, the Daleks are the boss space horrors, something to get the children hiding behind the sofa." {{cite news |title=The metamorphoses of Who |first=Stanley |last=Reynolds |work=[[The Times]] |date=9 April 1973 |page=15}}</ref> The phrase retains this association with ''Doctor Who''.<ref name="io9 Scared">{{Cite web |last=Charlie Jane Anders |date=25 December 2012 |title=If you weren't scared of Doctor Who as a child, you missed out on a crucial experience |url=https://gizmodo.com/if-you-werent-scared-of-doctor-who-as-a-child-you-miss-5971113 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140217105100/http://io9.com/5971113/if-you-werent-scared-of-doctor-who-as-a-child-you-may-never-fully-understand-it |archive-date=17 February 2014 |access-date=8 February 2022 |website=Gizmodo}}</ref> ''[[The Economist]]'' presented "hiding behind the sofa whenever the Daleks appear" as a British [[cultural institution]] on a par with [[Bovril]] and [[tea (meal)|tea-time]].<ref>{{cite news |date=14 September 2006 |title=The end of Olde Englande: A lament for Blighty |newspaper= [[The Economist]] |url=http://www.economist.com/world/britain/displaystory.cfm?story_id=7912946 |access-date=18 September 2006}}</ref> Paul Parsons, author of ''The Science of Doctor Who'', explains the appeal of hiding behind the sofa as the activation of the fear response in the [[amygdala]] in conjunction with reassurances of safety from the brain's [[frontal lobe]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Parsons |first=Paul |date=28 March 2006 |title=Who believes in who |url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/connected/main.jhtml?xml=/connected/2006/03/28/ecwho28.xml |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060614222905/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/connected/main.jhtml?xml=/connected/2006/03/28/ecwho28.xml |archive-date=14 June 2006 |access-date= |work=[[The Daily Telegraph]]}}</ref> A 2011 online vote at [[Digital Spy]] deemed the series the "scariest TV show of all time".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Wightman |first=Catriona |date=31 October 2011 |title='Doctor Who' named scariest TV show of all time: Your Top 10 revealed |url=https://www.digitalspy.com/tv/cult/a348363/doctor-who-named-scariest-tv-show-of-all-time-your-top-10-revealed/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141028014922/http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/tv/s7/doctor-who/tubetalk/a348363/doctor-who-named-scariest-tv-show-of-all-time-your-top-10-revealed.html |archive-date=28 October 2014 |access-date=8 February 2022 |website=Digital Spy}}, ''Digital Spy'', Catriona Wightman & Morgan Jeffery, 31 October 2011.</ref> A 2012 article by ''[[io9]]'' placed this childhood juxtaposition of fear and thrill "at the center of many people's relationship with the series". They noted children did not see the flaws "of the dodgy monsters, of the silly [[Visual effects|effects]], of the campy perils."<ref name="io9 Scared"/> Others have similarly poked fun at the classic series for its technical limitations, citing "wobbly [[Set (film and TV scenery)|sets]]" and "monsters made with [[bubble wrap]]".{{efn|Multiple sources:
* ''[[The Guardian]]'', 2005: "Wobbly sets, quirky costumes and shrieking female sidekicks are out in the new series..."<ref>{{cite web |last1=Gibson |first1=Owen |title=A Doctor whose time has come |url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2005/mar/10/bbc.sciencenews |website=[[The Guardian]] |access-date=17 June 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131204091148/https://www.theguardian.com/media/2005/mar/10/bbc.sciencenews |archive-date=December 4, 2013 |date=March 10, 2005 |url-status=live}}</ref>
* ''[[New Statesman]]'', 2017: "The original version of the show, which ran from 1963 to 1989, may have been known for its wobbly sets and aliens made of painted bubble wrap."<ref>{{cite web |last1=Elledge |first1=Jonn |title=What Jodie Whittaker as Doctor Who tells the rest of the world about Britain |url=https://www.newstatesman.com/culture/2017/07/what-jodie-whittaker-doctor-who-tells-rest-world-about-britain |website=[[New Statesman]] |access-date=17 June 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211129180709/https://www.newstatesman.com/culture/2017/07/what-jodie-whittaker-doctor-who-tells-rest-world-about-britain |archive-date=November 29, 2021 |date=July 20, 2017 |url-status=live}}</ref>
* ''[[Engadget]]'', 2023: "The 1963 - 1989 run was made on a shoestring, leading to lazy gags about wobbly sets and bad visual effects. [...] For all those wobbly sets and dodgy effects, Doctor Who is a writer's and actor's medium first; great writing and acting can go a long way. It can make you believe an alien parasite consuming a person inside out is real, and not just green bubble wrap."<ref>{{cite web |last1=Cooper |first1=Daniel |title=Doctor Who: The Star Beast reminds us that money isn't everything |url=https://www.engadget.com/doctor-who-the-star-beast-reminds-us-that-money-isnt-everything-200008217.html |website=[[Engadget]] |access-date=17 June 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231125205525/https://www.engadget.com/doctor-who-the-star-beast-reminds-us-that-money-isnt-everything-200008217.html |archive-date=November 25, 2023 |date=November 25, 2023 |url-status=live}}</ref>
* ''[[Radio Times]]'', 2025: "It was 16 years on from the BBC's original cancellation of the show, which to most of the world was a distant memory of wobbly sets and Daleks foiled by stairs. In 2005, TV was on a different planet. Could a series about a time-travelling alien in a police box really work in the era of The Sopranos and The Wire?"<ref>{{cite web |last1=Fullterton |first1=Huw |title=New Doctor Who turns 20: "I think its return has now proved that it's invulnerable" |url=https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/sci-fi/doctor-who-at-20-bbc/ |website=[[Radio Times]] |access-date=17 June 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250321192041/https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/sci-fi/doctor-who-at-20-bbc/ |archive-date=March 21, 2025 |date=March 18, 2025 |url-status=live}}</ref>
* ''The Guardian'', 2025: "Since 2023 the show has been co-produced by Bad Wolf and BBC Studios, and has been distributed internationally by Disney+, in a deal which dramatically enhanced the budget for a series that during the 1970s had a reputation for wobbly sets, primitive VFX and monsters made with bubble wrap."<ref>{{cite web |last1=Belam |first1=Martin |title=Doctor Who finale sees Ncuti Gatwa depart in surprise regeneration |url=https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2025/may/31/doctor-who-ncuti-gatwa-russell-t-davies |website=[[The Guardian]] |access-date=17 June 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250531193221/https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2025/may/31/doctor-who-ncuti-gatwa-russell-t-davies |archive-date=May 31, 2025 |date=May 31, 2025 |url-status=live}}</ref> }}
{{multiple image
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| header            = 
| width             = 210
| image1            = Tardis BBC Television Center.jpg
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| alt1              = 
| caption1          = The [[TARDIS]] prop used between 2010 and 2017 in front of the [[BBC Television Centre]]
| image2            = Tardis, Doctor Who Experience - panoramio.jpg
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| caption2          = TARDIS interior (2005–2010) at the ''Doctor Who'' Experience, [[London Olympia]]
}}
The image of the [[TARDIS]] has become firmly linked to the series in the public's consciousness; BBC scriptwriter [[Anthony Coburn]], who lived in the resort of [[Herne Bay, Kent]], was one of the people who conceived the idea of a police box as a time machine.<ref>{{Cite news |date=16 May 2011 |title=Doctor Who fan in tardis replica plan for Herne Bay |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-kent-13411516 |url-status=live |access-date=31 July 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140224182321/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-kent-13411516 |archive-date=24 February 2014}}</ref> In 1996, the BBC applied for a [[trademark]] to use the TARDIS' blue [[police box]] design in merchandising associated with ''Doctor Who''.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Case details for Trade Mark UK00002104259 |url=http://www.ipo.gov.uk/tmcase/Results/1/UK00002104259 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160118131332/https://www.ipo.gov.uk/tmcase/Results/1/UK00002104259 |archive-date=18 January 2016 |access-date=27 October 2013 |website=[[UK Patent Office]]}}</ref> In 1998, the [[Metropolitan Police Authority]] filed an objection to the trademark claim; but in 2002, the [[Intellectual Property Office (United Kingdom)|Patent Office]] ruled in favour of the BBC.<ref>{{Cite web |date=17 September 2006 |title=Trade mark decision |url=http://www.patent.gov.uk/tm/t-decisionmaking/t-challenge/t-challenge-decision-results/t-challenge-decision-results-bl?BL_Number=O/336/02 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070929102901/http://www.patent.gov.uk/tm/t-decisionmaking/t-challenge/t-challenge-decision-results/t-challenge-decision-results-bl?BL_Number=O%2F336%2F02 |archive-date=29 September 2007 |access-date=17 January 2007 |website=[[UK Patent Office]] website}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Knight |first=Mike |title=In the matter of application No. 2104259 by The British Broadcasting Corporation to register a series of three marks in Classes 9, 16, 25 and 41 And in the Matter of – Opposition thereto under No. 48452 by The Metropolitan Police Authority |url=http://www.patent.gov.uk/tm//legal/decisions/2002/o33602.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070925214943/http://www.patent.gov.uk/tm//legal/decisions/2002/o33602.pdf |archive-date=25 September 2007 |access-date=17 January 2007 |website=[[UK Patent Office]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=23 October 2002 |title=BBC wins police Tardis case |work=BBC News |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/tv_and_radio/2352743.stm |url-status=live |access-date=17 January 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070213102735/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/tv_and_radio/2352743.stm |archive-date=13 February 2007}}</ref>

The 21st-century revival of the programme became the centrepiece of BBC One's Saturday schedule and "defined the channel".<ref>{{Cite news |last=Robinson |first=James |date=18 March 2007 |title=Television's Lord of prime time awaits his next regeneration |work=The Observer |location=London |url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2007/mar/18/broadcasting.bbc1 |url-status=live |access-date=19 March 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070320221526/http://observer.guardian.co.uk/business/story/0,,2036415,00.html |archive-date=20 March 2007}}</ref> Many renowned actors have made [[List of guest appearances in Doctor Who|guest-starring]] appearances in various stories including [[Kylie Minogue]],<ref>{{Cite news |agency=Press Association |date=3 July 2007 |title=Kylie lands Doctor Who role|work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2007/jul/03/bbc.musicnews |access-date=27 September 2023 |issn=0261-3077}}</ref> and [[Sir Ian McKellen]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Fitzpatrick |first=Fitzpatrick |date=10 December 2012 |title='Doctor Who' Series 7 Casts…Sir Ian McKellen?! |url=https://screencrush.com/doctor-who-christmas-special-ian-mckellen/ |access-date=27 September 2023 |website=ScreenCrush}}</ref> The revival of ''Doctor Who'' had consistently received high ratings by 2009, both in number of viewers and as measured by the [[Appreciation Index]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Pettie |first=Andrew |date=4 January 2009 |title=Casting Matt Smith shows that Doctor Who is a savvy multi-million pound brand |work=The Daily Telegraph |location=London |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/tvandradio/4094067/Casting-Matt-Smith-shows-that-Doctor-Who-is-a-savvy-multi-million-pound-brand.html |url-status=live |access-date=4 January 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090122183212/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/tvandradio/4094067/Casting-Matt-Smith-shows-that-Doctor-Who-is-a-savvy-multi-million-pound-brand.html |archive-date=22 January 2009}}</ref> In 2007, [[Caitlin Moran]], television reviewer for ''The Times'', wrote that ''Doctor Who'' is "quintessential to being British".<ref>{{Cite news |last=Moran |first=Caitlin |author-link=Caitlin Moran |date=30 June 2007 |title=Doctor Who is simply masterful |work=The Times |location=London |url=http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/tv_and_radio/article1989181.ece |url-status=dead |access-date=1 July 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081013175631/http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/tv_and_radio/article1989181.ece |archive-date=13 October 2008 |quote=[''Doctor Who''] is as thrilling and as loved as ''Jolene'', or bread and cheese, or honeysuckle, or Friday. It's quintessential to being British.}}</ref> According to [[Steven Moffat]], the American film director [[Steven Spielberg]] has commented that "the world would be a poorer place without ''Doctor Who''".<ref>{{Cite news |last=Dowell |first=Ben |date=23 August 2008 |title=Edinburgh TV Festival 2008: don't rule out Doctor Who feature film, says Steven Moffat |work=The Guardian |location=London |url=http://blogs.guardian.co.uk/organgrinder/2008/08/steven_moffat_dont_rule_out_do.html |url-status=dead |access-date=23 August 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080827232557/http://blogs.guardian.co.uk/organgrinder/2008/08/steven_moffat_dont_rule_out_do.html |archive-date=27 August 2008}}</ref>

On 4 August 2013, a live programme titled ''Doctor Who Live: The Next Doctor''<ref>{{Cite web |date=4 August 2013 |title=Doctor Who: Fans await announcement |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-23567602 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130805014306/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-23567602 |archive-date=5 August 2013 |access-date=4 August 2013 |publisher=BBC}}</ref> was broadcast on BBC One, during which the actor who was going to play the Twelfth Doctor was revealed.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2 August 2013 |title=New Doctor Who star to be unveiled |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-23531724 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130802034936/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-23531724 |archive-date=2 August 2013 |access-date=3 August 2013 |publisher=BBC}}</ref> The live show was watched by an average of 6.27&nbsp;million in the UK, and was also simulcast in the United States, Canada and Australia.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Glanfield |first=Tim |date=5 August 2013 |title=Doctor Who: Almost 7m watch Peter Capaldi revealed as 12th Doctor |work=Radio Times |url=http://www.radiotimes.com/news/2013-08-05/doctor-who-almost-7m-watch-peter-capaldi-revealed-as-12th-doctor |url-status=live |access-date=5 August 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130807224831/http://www.radiotimes.com/news/2013-08-05/doctor-who-almost-7m-watch-peter-capaldi-revealed-as-12th-doctor |archive-date=7 August 2013}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=5 August 2013 |title=From spin doctor to Doctor Who... star's childhood dream comes true |url=https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/13116923.spin-doctor-doctor-stars-childhood-dream-comes-true/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130907224216/http://www.heraldscotland.com/news/home-news/from-spin-doctor-to-doctor-who-stars-childhood-dream-comes-true.21792902 |archive-date=7 September 2013 |access-date=8 February 2022 |website=The Herald |location=Glasgow}}</ref>

==Episodes==
{{Further|List of Doctor Who episodes (1963–1989){{!}}List of ''Doctor Who'' episodes (1963–1989)|List of Doctor Who episodes (2005–present){{!}}List of ''Doctor Who'' episodes (2005–present)}}
''Doctor Who'' originally ran for 26 seasons on BBC One,{{efn|name=bbctv}} from 23 November 1963 until 6 December 1989. During the original run, each weekly episode formed part of a story (or "serial")—usually, but not always, of four to seven parts in the 1960s and early 1970s, four to six parts in the mid-to-late 1970s, and two to four parts in the 1980s.{{citation needed|date=June 2025}} Occasionally, serials were loosely connected by a story line, such as [[Doctor Who season 8|season 8]] focusing on the Doctor battling a rogue Time Lord called [[Master (Doctor Who)|the Master]],<ref>{{Cite web |title=BBC&nbsp;– Doctor Who Classic Episode Guide&nbsp;– Season 8 |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/doctorwho/classic/episodeguide/season8.shtml |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140401073128/http://www.bbc.co.uk/doctorwho/classic/episodeguide/season8.shtml |archive-date=1 April 2014 |access-date=25 October 2013 |publisher=BBC}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=The Master&nbsp;– BBC |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/doctorwho/classic/characters/the-master.shtml |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131114102824/http://www.bbc.co.uk/doctorwho/classic/characters/the-master.shtml |archive-date=14 November 2013 |access-date=25 October 2013 |publisher=BBC}}</ref> [[Doctor Who season 16|season 16]]'s quest for [[the Key to Time]],<ref>{{Cite web |title=BBC&nbsp;– Doctor Who Classic Episode Guide&nbsp;– Season 16 |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/doctorwho/classic/episodeguide/season16.shtml |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131121150148/http://www.bbc.co.uk/doctorwho/classic/episodeguide/season16.shtml |archive-date=21 November 2013 |access-date=25 October 2013 |publisher=BBC}}</ref> [[Doctor Who season 18|season 18]]'s journey through E-Space and the theme of entropy,<ref>{{Cite web |title=BBC&nbsp;– Doctor Who Classic Episode Guide&nbsp;– Logopolis |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b006q2x0 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130212195320/http://www.bbc.co.uk/doctorwho/classic/episodeguide/logopolis/detail.shtml |archive-date=12 February 2013 |access-date=25 October 2013 |publisher=BBC}}</ref> and [[Doctor Who season 20|season 20]]'s Black Guardian trilogy.<ref>{{Cite web |title=BBC&nbsp;– Season 20&nbsp;– Episode guide |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p00sfvc7/episodes/guide |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130409173111/http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p00sfvc7/episodes/guide |archive-date=9 April 2013 |access-date=25 October 2013 |publisher=BBC}}</ref>

The programme was intended to be educational and for family viewing on the early Saturday evening schedule.<ref name="Doctor Who Education">{{Cite web |title=10 things you didn't know about Doctor Who |url=http://uktv.co.uk/watch/stepbystep/aid/576125 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110116052952/http://uktv.co.uk/watch/stepbystep/aid/576125 |archive-date=16 January 2011 |access-date=20 January 2012 |publisher=[[Watch (TV channel)|Watch]]}}</ref> It initially alternated stories set in the past, which taught younger audience members about history, and with those in the future or outer space, focusing on science.<ref name="Doctor Who Education" /> This was also reflected in the Doctor's original companions, one of whom was a science teacher and another a history teacher.<ref name="Doctor Who Education" />

However, science fiction stories came to dominate the programme, and the history-oriented episodes, which were not popular with the production team,<ref name="Doctor Who Education" /> were dropped after ''[[The Highlanders (Doctor Who)|The Highlanders]]'' (1967). While the show continued to use historical settings, they were generally used as a backdrop for science fiction tales,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Blair |first=Andrew |date=14 August 2023 |title=Doctor Who's Best Historical Episodes: Aztecs, Greeks, Daleks & Demons |url=https://www.denofgeek.com/tv/doctor-who-best-historical-episodes/ |access-date=27 February 2024 |website=Den of Geek}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Chrysostomou |first=George |date=20 February 2020 |title=Doctor Who: 5 Times The Show Was Historically Accurate (& 5 Times It Wasn't) |url=https://screenrant.com/bbc-doctor-who-historically-accurate-times/ |access-date=27 February 2024 |website=ScreenRant}}</ref> with one exception: ''[[Black Orchid (Doctor Who)|Black Orchid]]'' (1982), set in 1920s England.<ref>''[[Black Orchid (Doctor Who)|Black Orchid]]''. Writer [[Terence Dudley]], Director [[Ron Jones (television director)|Ron Jones]], Producer [[John Nathan-Turner]]. ''Doctor Who''. BBC. BBC One, London. 1 March 1982&nbsp;– 2 March 1982.</ref> Beginning with the 2023 Christmas special "[[The Church on Ruby Road]]" and the [[Doctor Who series 14|2024 season]], the show started gearing more towards fantasy elements, while still keeping a harder science fiction format in episodes like "[[Boom (Doctor Who)|Boom]]".<ref>{{cite web |last=Cormack |first=Morgan |date=7 December 2023 |title=Doctor Who boss says show is "taking a sly step towards fantasy" |url=https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/sci-fi/doctor-who-boss-fantasy-step-newsupdate/ |website=[[Radio Times]] |location=London |publisher=[[Immediate Media Company]] |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250608202815/https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/sci-fi/doctor-who-boss-fantasy-step-newsupdate/ |archive-date=8 June 2025 |access-date=22 June 2025 }}</ref>

The early stories were serialised in nature, with the narrative of one story flowing into the next and each episode having its own title, although produced as distinct stories with their own production codes.<ref name="BBC Doctor Who Episode List">{{Cite web |title=Doctor Who Episode List |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/cult/treasurehunt/missing/drwho.shtml |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121017100338/http://www.bbc.co.uk/cult/treasurehunt/missing/drwho.shtml |archive-date=17 October 2012 |access-date=26 October 2013 |publisher=BBC}}</ref> Following ''[[The Gunfighters (Doctor Who)|The Gunfighters]]'' (1966), however, each serial was given its own title, and the individual parts were assigned episode numbers.<ref name="BBC Doctor Who Episode List" />

Of the programme's [[List of Doctor Who writers|many writers]], [[Robert Holmes (scriptwriter)|Robert Holmes]] was the most prolific,<ref>{{Cite web |date=11 March 2007 |title=Master of the universe |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/3663738/Master-of-the-universe.html |access-date=27 February 2024 |website=The Telegraph}}</ref> while [[Douglas Adams]] became the best known outside ''Doctor Who'' itself, due to the popularity of his ''[[Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy]]'' works.<ref>{{Cite web |title=BBC Online&nbsp;– Cult&nbsp;– Hitchhiker's&nbsp;– Douglas Adams&nbsp;– Biography |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/cult/hitchhikers/dna/biog.shtml |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140412130831/http://www.bbc.co.uk/cult/hitchhikers/dna/biog.shtml |archive-date=12 April 2014 |access-date=26 October 2013 |publisher=BBC}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=24 March 2011 |title=Shada, Douglas Adams's 'lost' Doctor Who story, to be novelised |url=https://www.theguardian.com/books/2011/mar/24/douglas-adams-doctor-who-story-published |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131029200952/http://www.theguardian.com/books/2011/mar/24/douglas-adams-doctor-who-story-published |archive-date=29 October 2013 |access-date=26 October 2013 |website=The Guardian}}</ref>

The serial format changed for the [[Doctor Who (series 1)|2005 revival]], with what was now called a series usually consisting of 45-minute, self-contained episodes (50–60 minutes during [[Doctor Who series 11|series 11]]–[[Doctor Who series 13|13]]) and an extended 60-minute episode broadcast on either Christmas Day or New Year's Day; on a single occasion (during a year with no regular series with weekly episodes), the two-parter "[[The End of Time (Doctor Who)|The End of Time]]" took up the slot of both a Christmas and a 75-minute New Year's Day episode. The episodes in each series often linked with a loose story arc resolved in the series finale. {{as of|2025}}, the only exception to this has been the serialised storyline of series 13, also known as its subtitle ''Flux''. As in the first three years of the "classic" era, each episode (with the exception of "The End of Time" Part One and Two and "[[Spyfall (Doctor Who)|Spyfall]]" Part One and Two) has its own title, whether stand-alone or part of a larger story. Occasionally, regular-series episodes will exceed the 45-minute run time;{{citation needed|date=March 2025}} for example, the episodes "[[Journey's End (Doctor Who)|Journey's End]]" (2008) and "[[The Eleventh Hour (Doctor Who)|The Eleventh Hour]]" (2010) were longer than an hour.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.denofgeek.com/tv/doctor-who-revisiting-the-stolen-earthjourneys-end-at-10-2/|work=[[Den of Geek]]|title=Doctor Who: revisiting The Stolen Earth/Journey's End at 10|date=13 July 2018|accessdate=6 March 2025|first=Mark|last=Harrison}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/tvandradioblog/2010/apr/03/doctor-who-eleventh-hour|date=3 April 2010|title=Doctor Who: Matt Smith's debut in The Eleventh Hour - the verdict|first=Daniel|last=Martin|work=[[The Guardian]]|accessdate=6 March 2025}}</ref>

{{DW episode count}} ''Doctor Who'' instal<!-- In British English "instalment" is spelt with one "l" -->ments have been televised since 1963, ranging between 25-minute episodes (the most common format for the classic series), 45/50-minute episodes (for ''[[Resurrection of the Daleks]]'' in the 1984 series, a single season in 1985, and the most common format for the revival era since 2005), two feature-length productions (1983's "[[The Five Doctors]]" and the [[Doctor Who (1996 film)|1996 television film]]), 15 [[List of Doctor Who Christmas and New Year's specials|Christmas specials]] (most of approximately 60 minutes' duration, one of 72 minutes), four New Year's specials ranging from 60 to 75 minutes, and eight additional specials ranging from 48 to 90 minutes in 2009, 2013, 2022, and 2023. Six mini-episodes, running from four to eight minutes each, were also produced for the 1993, 2005, 2007, 2012, and 2023 [[Children in Need]] charity appeals, while further mini-episodes were produced in 2008, 2010, 2013, and 2024 for ''Doctor Who''–themed editions of [[The Proms]]. The 1993 two-part story, entitled ''[[Dimensions in Time]]'', was made in collaboration with the cast of the BBC soap-opera ''[[EastEnders]]'' and was filmed partly on the ''EastEnders'' set. A two-part mini-episode was also produced for the 2011 edition of [[Comic Relief]].<ref name="comic relief 2011">{{Cite web |date=3 March 2011 |title=Moffat reveals 'Who' Comic Relief plot |url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/tv/s7/doctor-who/news/a306899/moffat-reveals-who-comic-relief-plot.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110305215900/http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/tv/s7/doctor-who/news/a306899/moffat-reveals-who-comic-relief-plot.html |archive-date=5 March 2011 |access-date=6 March 2011 |website=[[Digital Spy]]}}</ref>{{additional citation needed|date=October 2025}} Starting with the 2009 special "[[Planet of the Dead]]", the series was filmed in [[1080i]] for [[HDTV]]<ref>{{Cite web |date=4 February 2009 |title=Doctor Who to be filmed in HD |url=http://www.drwho-online.co.uk/news/#newseries-hd0 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20090106032738/http://www.drwho-online.co.uk/news/#newseries-hd0 |archive-date=6 January 2009 |access-date=5 February 2009 |website=Doctor Who Online}}</ref> and broadcast simultaneously on BBC One and [[BBC HD]]. The 2021 festive special "[[Revolution of the Daleks]]" was available on [[BBC iPlayer]] in 4K.<ref>{{cite web |last=Kelion |first=Leo |date=23 December 2020 |title=Doctor Who Christmas special to be offered in 4K HDR on iPlayer |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-55430997 |website=[[BBC News]] |location= |publisher= |access-date=21 June 2025}}</ref>

To celebrate the 50th anniversary of the show, a special [[3D television|3D]] episode, "[[The Day of the Doctor]]", was broadcast in 2013.<ref>{{Cite news |date=11 February 2013 |title=BBC announces Doctor Who 3D Special |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-21413511 |url-status=live |access-date=12 February 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130212172533/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-21413511 |archive-date=12 February 2013}}</ref> In March 2013, it was announced that Tennant and Piper would be returning<ref>{{Cite news |date=30 March 2013 |title=Doctor Who: David Tennant returns for anniversary show |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-21980892 |url-status=live |access-date=2 April 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201116040241/https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-21980892 |archive-date=16 November 2020}}</ref> and that the episode would have a limited cinematic release worldwide.<ref>{{Cite web |last=McMillan, Graeme |date=12 February 2013 |title='Doctor Who' goes 3D for its half-century edition |url=http://www.digitaltrends.com/home-theater/doctor-who-to-go-3d-for-half-century-sepcial-edition/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130216072922/http://www.digitaltrends.com/home-theater/doctor-who-to-go-3d-for-half-century-sepcial-edition/ |archive-date=16 February 2013 |access-date=2 April 2013 |publisher=Digital Trends}}</ref>

In June 2017, it was announced that due to the terms of a deal between [[BBC Worldwide]] and [[SMG Pictures]] in China, the company had first right of refusal on the purchase for the Chinese market of future series of the programme until and including [[Doctor Who series 15|Series 15]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=The BBC is already preparing for at least FIVE more series of Doctor Who |url=http://www.radiotimes.com/news/2017-06-03/the-bbc-is-already-preparing-for-at-least-five-more-series-of-doctor-who |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170608210206/http://www.radiotimes.com/news/2017-06-03/the-bbc-is-already-preparing-for-at-least-five-more-series-of-doctor-who |archive-date=8 June 2017 |access-date=19 June 2017 |publisher=RadioTimes}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=BBC – Doctor Who Gets Brand Boost in China – Media Centre |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/worldwide/2017/doctor-who-china |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190621052159/https://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/worldwide/2017/doctor-who-china |archive-date=21 June 2019 |access-date=19 June 2017 |website=bbc.co.uk |publisher=BBC}}</ref>

===Missing episodes===
{{Main|Doctor Who missing episodes{{!}}''Doctor Who'' missing episodes}}
Between 1967 and 1978, large amounts of older material stored in the BBC's various video tape and film libraries was either destroyed{{efn|The tapes were on a [[405-line television system|405-line broadcast standard]] and not transferred to the [[625-line television system]] entering use.}} or [[Lost television broadcast|wiped]]. This included many early episodes of ''Doctor Who'', those stories featuring the first two Doctors: [[William Hartnell]] and [[Patrick Troughton]]. In all, 97 of 253 episodes produced during the programme's first six years are not held in the BBC's archives (most notably during seasons 3, 4, and 5, from which 79 episodes are missing).<ref>{{Cite web |date=23 November 2023 |title=Doctor Who has 97 'missing episodes'. Where are they hiding? |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/news/doctor-who-missing-episodes-lost-anniversary-b2451834.html |access-date=5 January 2024 |website=The Independent}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Thorpe |first=Vanessa |date=11 November 2023 |title=Lost Doctor Who episodes found – but owner is reluctant to hand them to BBC |url=https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2023/nov/11/lost-doctor-who-episodes-found-owner-reluctant-to-hand-them-to-bbc |access-date=5 January 2024 |work=The Observer|issn=0029-7712}}</ref> In 1972, almost all episodes then made were known to exist at the BBC,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Molesworth |first=Richard |title=BBC Archive Holdings |url=http://www.purpleville.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/rtwebsite/archive.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121228210500/http://www.purpleville.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/rtwebsite/archive.htm |archive-date=28 December 2012 |access-date=30 April 2007 |website=[[Doctor Who Restoration Team]] |quote=A full set was held at least until early 1972, as 16 mm black and white film negatives (apart—of course—from 'Masterplan' 7)}}</ref> while by 1978 the practice of wiping tapes and destroying "spare" film copies had been brought to a stop.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Molesworth |first=Richard |title=BBC Archive Holdings |url=http://www.purpleville.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/rtwebsite/archive.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121228210500/http://www.purpleville.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/rtwebsite/archive.htm |archive-date=28 December 2012 |access-date=30 April 2007 |website=[[Doctor Who Restoration Team]] |quote=the videotapes began to be wiped, or re-used, until the formation of the BBC's Film and Videotape Library in 1978 put a stop to this particular practice.}}</ref> No 1960s episodes exist on their original videotapes (all surviving prints being film transfers), though some were transferred to film for editing before transmission and exist in their broadcast form.<ref>{{Cite news |title='Doctor Who': Restoring and Reconstructing Missing Episodes |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/dna/place-lancashire/plain/A14066589 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121201140746/http://news.bbc.co.uk/dna/place-lancashire/plain/A14066589 |archive-date=1 December 2012 |access-date=20 January 2012 |publisher=BBC}}</ref>

The BBC has retrieved some missing episodes from archives in foreign countries that had received prints for their original broadcasts<ref name=":1" /> and also from private individuals who had acquired them by various means.<ref name=":2" /> Early colour videotape recordings made off-air by fans have also been retrieved,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Fox |first=Barry |date=29 August 1992 |title=Technology: How Doctor Who was rescued from oblivion |url=https://www.newscientist.com/article/mg13518364-000-technology-how-doctor-who-was-rescued-from-oblivion/ |access-date=2025-08-13 |website=New Scientist |language=en-US}}</ref> as well as excerpts filmed from the television screen onto 8&nbsp;mm [[cine film]] and clips that were shown on other programmes.<ref>{{cite magazine |year=2016 |editor-last=Ainsworth |editor-first=John |title=The Power of the Daleks, The Highlanders, The Underwater Menace, and The Moonbase |magazine=Doctor Who: The Complete History |publisher=[[Panini Comics]], [[Hachette Book Group|Hachette Partworks]] |location=London |page=38 |volume=9 |issue=34 |issn=}}</ref><ref name=":3" /> Audio versions of all lost episodes exist from home viewers who made tape recordings of the show.<ref name="miseps">{{cite web |date=10 January 2004 |title=Missing episodes |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/doctorwho/news/cult/news/drwho/2004/08/10/13658.shtml |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090810130714/http://www.bbc.co.uk/doctorwho/news/cult/news/drwho/2004/08/10/13658.shtml |archive-date=10 August 2009 |access-date=17 April 2007 |publisher=BBC}}</ref> Short clips from every story with the exception of ''[[Marco Polo (Doctor Who)|Marco Polo]]'' (1964), "[[Mission to the Unknown]]" (1965) and ''[[The Massacre (Doctor Who)|The Massacre]]'' (1966) also exist.{{citation needed|date=August 2025}}

Off-screen photographs ([[tele-snaps]]) were made by photographer [[John Cura]], who was hired by various production personnel to document programmes during the 1950s and 1960s, including ''Doctor Who''.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Lewisohn |first=Mark |date=28 June 2022 |title=Snapshots of History: the story of John Cura's Tele-Snaps by Mark Lewisohn |url=https://copyrightliteracy.org/2022/06/28/snapshots-of-history-the-story-of-john-curas-tele-snaps-by-mark-lewisohn/ |access-date=13 August 2024 |website=Copyright Literacy}}</ref> These have been used in [[Doctor Who missing episodes#Reconstruction|fan reconstructions]] of the serials. The BBC has tolerated amateur reconstructions, provided they are not sold for profit and are distributed as low-quality copies.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Lewinski |first=John Scott |date=29 September 2008 |title=Fans Reconstruct Doctor Who's Trashed Past |url=https://www.wired.com/2008/09/who-recon/ |url-status=live |magazine=Wired |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120111095803/http://www.wired.com/underwire/2008/09/who-recon |archive-date=11 January 2012 |access-date=8 February 2022}}</ref>

One of the most sought-after lost episodes is part four of the last William Hartnell serial, ''[[The Tenth Planet]]'' (1966), which ends with the [[First Doctor]] transforming into the [[Second Doctor|Second]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Martin |first=Lara |date=20 February 2009 |title=Zimbabwe 'hoarding lost 'Who' episodes' |url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/tv/s7/doctor-who/news/a147355/zimbabwe-hoarding-lost-who-episodes.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120629145219/http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/tv/s7/doctor-who/news/a147355/zimbabwe-hoarding-lost-who-episodes.html |archive-date=29 June 2012 |access-date=20 January 2012 |website=[[Digital Spy]]}}</ref> The only portion of this in existence, barring a few poor-quality silent 8&nbsp;mm clips, is the few seconds of the regeneration scene, as it was shown on the children's magazine show ''[[Blue Peter]]''.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |date=25 December 2017 |title=Doctor Who Christmas special: what's that black and white footage with the First Doctor in it? |url=https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/sci-fi/everything-you-need-to-know-about-classic-doctor-who-story-the-tenth-planet/ |access-date=2025-08-13 |website=Radio Times |language=en-GB}}</ref>

Official reconstructions have also been released by the BBC on VHS, on MP3 [[CD-ROM]], and as special features on DVD. The BBC, in conjunction with animation studio [[Cosgrove Hall]], reconstructed the missing episodes 1 and 4 of ''[[The Invasion (Doctor Who)|The Invasion]]'' (1968), using remastered audio tracks and the comprehensive stage notes for the original filming, for the serial's DVD release in November 2006.<ref name="animated">{{cite web |date=20 June 2006 |title=Doctor Who ReAnimated! |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/doctorwho/news/cult/news/drwho/2006/06/20/33077.shtml |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060720102512/http://www.bbc.co.uk/doctorwho/news/cult/news/drwho/2006/06/20/33077.shtml |archive-date=20 July 2006 |access-date=5 December 2007 |publisher=BBC.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Norton |first=Charles |date=2008-06-25 |title=Regenerate! Fans revive 60s Doctor Who |url=https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2008/jun/26/bbc.doctorwho |access-date=2025-08-13 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}</ref> The missing episodes of ''[[The Reign of Terror (Doctor Who)|The Reign of Terror]]'' were animated by animation company Theta-Sigma, in collaboration with [[Big Finish Productions|Big Finish]], and became available for purchase in May 2013 through Amazon.com.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Foster |first=Chuck |date=21 June 2011 |title=The Reign of Terror—animation update |url=https://www.doctorwhonews.net/2011/06/dwn210611211508-reign-of-terror-update.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120505050947/http://www.doctorwhonews.net/2011/06/dwn210611211508-reign-of-terror-update.html |archive-date=5 May 2012 |access-date=6 October 2011 |publisher=[[Doctor Who News Page]]}}</ref> Subsequent animations made in 2013–4 include ''The Tenth Planet'', ''[[The Ice Warriors]]'' (1967) and ''[[The Moonbase]]'' (1967).<ref>{{Cite web |last=Shayo |first=Lukas |date=29 October 2023 |title=More Missing Doctor Who Episodes Planned For Animated Restorations |url=https://screenrant.com/doctor-who-episodes-animated-restoration-future-plans/ |access-date=1 July 2024 |website=ScreenRant |language=en}}</ref> Production of animated reconstructions accelerated in the 2020s.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Jeffery |first=Morgan |date=23 October 2023 |title=Doctor Who missing stories animations to continue, more Hartnell likely |url=https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/sci-fi/doctor-who-missing-stories-animated-hartnell-newsupdate/ |access-date=2025-08-13 |website=Radio Times |language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Missing Episode Animations |url=https://millenniumeffect.co.uk/index.php/missing-episode-animations/ |access-date=2025-08-13 |website=The Millennium Effect |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Jeffery |first=Morgan |date=2 March 2025 |title=Doctor Who team hope to accelerate release of missing stories |url=https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/sci-fi/doctor-who-missing-stories-animations-newsupdate/ |access-date=2025-08-13 |website=Radio Times |language=en-GB}}</ref>

In April 2006, ''Blue Peter'' launched a challenge to find missing ''Doctor Who'' episodes with the promise of a full-scale [[Dalek]] model as a reward.<ref>{{Cite web |date=April 2006 |title=Blue Peter—Missing Doctor Who tapes |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/cbbc/bluepeter/content/articles/2006/04/19/doctor_who_feature.shtml |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060424144255/http://www.bbc.co.uk/cbbc/bluepeter/content/articles/2006/04/19/doctor_who_feature.shtml |archive-date=24 April 2006 |access-date=24 April 2006 |publisher=BBC}}</ref> In December 2011, it was announced that part 3 of ''[[Galaxy 4]]'' (1965) and part 2 of ''[[The Underwater Menace]]'' (1967) had been returned to the BBC by a film collector who did not realise the films' value.<ref name=":2">{{Cite news |last=Mulkern |first=Patrick |date=11 December 2011 |title=Doctor Who: two long-lost episodes uncovered |work=Radio Times |url=http://www.radiotimes.com/news/2011-12-11/doctor-who-two-long-lost-episodes-uncovered |url-status=live |access-date=11 December 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120107050824/http://www.radiotimes.com/news/2011-12-11/doctor-who-two-long-lost-episodes-uncovered |archive-date=7 January 2012}}</ref> In October 2013, the BBC announced that film copies of nine missing episodes were found in a television relay station in [[Jos]], Nigeria. This included the complete six-part serial ''[[The Enemy of the World]]'' (1968) and all but episode 3 of ''[[The Web of Fear]]'' (1968).<ref>{{Cite web |last=Allen |first=Christopher |date=10 October 2013 |title=Two "Missing" Doctor Who Adventures Found |url=http://www.doctorwho.tv/whats-new/article/two-missing-doctor-who-adventures-found/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131011014953/http://www.doctorwho.tv/whats-new/article/two-missing-doctor-who-adventures-found/ |archive-date=11 October 2013 |access-date=11 October 2013 |work=Doctor Who |publisher=BBC Worldwide}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Doctor Who Online |date=11 October 2013 |title=Nine Missing Doctor Who Episodes Recovered! |url=http://news.drwho-online.co.uk/Nine-Missing-Doctor-Who-Episodes-Recovered!.aspx |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20131011225318/http://news.drwho-online.co.uk/Nine-Missing-Doctor-Who-Episodes-Recovered!.aspx |archive-date=11 October 2013 |access-date=11 October 2013 |publisher=Doctor Who Online}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite news |last=Masters |first=Tim |date=11 October 2013 |title=Doctor Who: Yeti classic among episodes found in Nigeria |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-24467337 |url-status=live |access-date=25 October 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131025183523/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-24467337 |archive-date=25 October 2013}}</ref>

==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_2014.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>{{failed verification|date=June 2025}}<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>{{failed verification|date=June 2025}} Gallifrey was thought to have been the home planet of the Doctor as it was for the other Time Lords. In 2020 it was revealed the Doctor came from another world entirely.<ref name="timeless child"/>

====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 serial ''[[The Deadly Assassin]]'' (1976) established that a Time Lord can only regenerate 12 times, for a total of 13 incarnations. 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>

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> In "[[The Reality War]]", the Fifteenth Doctor regenerates into a character portrayed by [[Billie Piper]], who previously portrayed the Doctor's companion [[Rose Tyler]]. While Piper's official role remains undisclosed, with the closing credits merely reading "Introducing Billie Piper",<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/sci-fi/doctor-who-ncuti-gatwa-exit-regeneration-billie-piper-newsupdate/|title=Doctor Who airs huge twist as Ncuti Gatwa departs – and regenerates into returning star|last=Griffin|first=Louise|date=31 May 2025|accessdate=31 May 2025|work=[[Radio Times]]}}</ref> some sources assumed her to be taking on the sixteenth incarnation.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/0/billie-piper-to-be-next-doctor-who/|title=Billie Piper to be next Doctor Who|last=Perkins|first=Liz|date=31 May 2025|accessdate=31 May 2025|work=[[The Daily Telegraph]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thepopverse.com/tv-doctor-who-the-reality-war-spoilers-fifteenth-doctor-ncuti-gatwa-regeneration-rumor|title=The season finale of Doctor Who reveals the future of Ncuti Gatwa on the show and a cliffhanger likely to excite and enrage fans in equal measure|last=McMillan|first=Graeme|date=31 May 2025|accessdate=31 May 2025|work=[[ThePopVerse]]}}</ref><ref name="finalncuti">{{cite web |title=Doctor Who's Ncuti Gatwa says final farewell to the TARDIS as the Fifteenth Doctor regenerates |url=https://www.bbc.com/mediacentre/2025/doctor-who-ncuti-gatwa-fifteenth-doctor-regenerates |website=BBC Media Centre |access-date=31 May 2025 |language=en |date=31 May 2025}}</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]] || 2023–2025 
|}

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 |quote=[U]nearthing her buried TARDIS, Ruth is revealed as a previously unseen -- and perhaps distant past -- incarnation of the Doctor herself, on the run from Gallifrey for reasons unknown and hunted by the Time Lords with the help of the Judoon. [...] Perhaps after Ruth/Doctor and whatever other incarnations might exist in that past time -- assuming she is from the Doctor's past, which seems the safest bet here... Ruth's TARDIS interior is extremely Hartnell-esque in its many appointments, which seems to place her -- logically enough -- prior to [the First Doctor's] incarnation, or at least near to it. }}</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 1972–73'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 as the lead role, "[[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> The Fifteenth Doctor briefly interacts with the Thirteenth Doctor in his final episode in the lead role, 2025's "[[The Reality War]]". 

===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=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/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=https://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=https://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.{{clarification needed|date=June 2025}} 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 apart from [[Doctor Who series 14|series 14]] in 2024.{{efn|The character Anita (Steph de Whalley) sees a real Dalek pass in front of her in [[Doctor Who series 15|series 15]]'s "[[The Reality War]]" (2025), alongside a scene of stock footage from 1972's ''[[Day of the Daleks]]''.<ref>{{cite web |author=Steph de Whalley, Alex Sanjiv Pillai |date=31 May 2025 |title=Regeneration, Omega and Jodie Whittaker's RETURN {{!}} Behind the Scenes of The Reality War {{!}} Doctor Who |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qMzssW1caC8 |via=[[YouTube]] |access-date=24 June 2025 |time=2:38 }}</ref>}}<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=https://news.bbc.co.uk/1/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 was 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 humans from a parallel universe Earth, 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> Later appearances included Cybermen originating from Mondas again, along with a redesign in 2013's "[[Nightmare in Silver]]" considered as a mixture of Mondasian and parallel universe technology.<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? |date=1 March 2020 |url=https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/sci-fi/doctor-who-who-is-the-master/ |access-date=12 October 2024 |website=RadioTimes |language=en-GB |quote=Roger Delgado was the first to play The Master, with his debut appearance occurring in the 1971 episode Terror of the Autons, before he became a major character in the eighth series of the show. }}</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=dead |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> Michelle Gomez played Missy, a female version of the Master, multiple times in the [[Twelfth Doctor]]'s tenure. 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/webarchive/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.bbc.co.uk%2Fblogs%2Fdoctorwho%2Fentries%2F9ecdaaa1-10e1-45a7-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>

==Music==
{{See also|List of Doctor Who composers{{!}}List of ''Doctor Who'' composers}}

===Theme music===
{{Main|Doctor Who theme music{{!}}''Doctor Who'' theme music}}
{{Listen
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The [[Doctor Who theme music|''Doctor Who'' theme music]] was one of the first [[electronic music]] signature tunes for television. The original theme was composed by [[Ron Grainer]] and realised by [[Delia Derbyshire]] of the [[BBC Radiophonic Workshop]], with assistance from Dick Mills,<ref name="surprising bbc">{{Cite web |last=Hebblethwaite |first=Phil |date=29 June 2016 |title=Surprising Facts about BBC Theme Tunes You've Heard Hundreds of Times |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/music/articles/36b860f1-b3d5-4fcc-acdc-c2e95fb99176 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170725043928/https://www.bbc.co.uk/music/articles/36b860f1-b3d5-4fcc-acdc-c2e95fb99176 |archive-date=25 July 2017 |access-date=12 January 2018 |website=Bbc.co.uk}}</ref> and was released as a single on Decca F 11837 in 1964.{{citation needed|date=June 2025}} The Derbyshire arrangement served, with minor edits, as the theme tune up to the end of [[Doctor Who season 17|season 17]] (1979–1980). It was a significant and innovative piece of electronic music recorded well before the availability of commercial synthesisers or multitrack mixers. Each note was individually created by cutting, splicing, speeding up and slowing down segments of [[analogue tape]] containing recordings of a single plucked string, [[white noise]], and the simple [[harmonic]] waveforms of [[Tone generator|test-tone oscillators]], intended for calibrating equipment and rooms, not creating music. New techniques were invented to allow [[Audio mixing (recorded music)|mixing]] of the music, as this was before the era of multitrack tape machines.{{citation needed|date=June 2025}} On hearing the finished result, Grainer asked, "Jeez, Delia, did I write that?" She answered, "Most of it."<ref name="surprising bbc"/> Although Grainer was willing to give Derbyshire the co-composer credit, it was against BBC policy at the time. She would not receive an on-screen credit until the 50th-anniversary story "The Day of the Doctor" in 2013.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Pidd |first=Helen |date=20 November 2017 |title=Doctor Who theme's co-creator honoured with posthumous PhD |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2017/nov/20/delia-derbyshire-doctor-who-theme-co-creator-posthumous-phd |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171228115219/https://www.theguardian.com/music/2017/nov/20/delia-derbyshire-doctor-who-theme-co-creator-posthumous-phd |archive-date=28 December 2017 |access-date=31 December 2017 |website=The Guardian |publisher=Guardian News and Media Limited}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Allen |first=Ben |title=Doctor Who theme co-composer honoured with posthumous PhD |url=http://www.radiotimes.com/news/tv/2017-11-21/doctor-who-theme-co-composer-honoured-delia-derbyshire-honorary-phd/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180101030501/http://www.radiotimes.com/news/tv/2017-11-21/doctor-who-theme-co-composer-honoured-delia-derbyshire-honorary-phd/ |archive-date=1 January 2018 |access-date=31 December 2017 |website=Radio Times |publisher=Immediate Media Company Ltd}}</ref>

A different arrangement was recorded by [[Peter Howell (musician)|Peter Howell]] for [[Doctor Who season 18|season 18]] (1980–1981), which was in turn replaced by [[Dominic Glynn]]'s arrangement for the season-long serial ''[[The Trial of a Time Lord]]'' in [[Doctor Who season 23|season 23]] (1986). [[Keff McCulloch]] provided the new arrangement for the [[Seventh Doctor]]'s era, which lasted from [[Doctor Who season 24|season 24]] (1987) until the series' suspension in 1989. American composer [[John Debney]] created a new arrangement of Grainer's original theme for the 1996 ''[[Doctor Who (film)|Doctor Who]]'' film.

[[Murray Gold]] provided various arrangements of the theme since 2005. He arranged every version of the 2005 revival series' theme music,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/doctorwho/news/cult/news/drwho/2006/01/10/28657.shtml|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060114173247/http://www.bbc.co.uk/doctorwho/news/cult/news/drwho/2006/01/10/28657.shtml|archive-date=14 January 2006|title=Hear the Christmas Song|publisher=BBC|date=10 January 2006|access-date=22 April 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/doctorwho/news/cult/news/drwho/2006/01/03/28476.shtml|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060117152809/http://www.bbc.co.uk/doctorwho/news/cult/news/drwho/2006/01/03/28476.shtml|archive-date=17 January 2006|title=The New Theme|publisher=BBC|date=3 January 2006|access-date=22 April 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Berriman |first=Ian |date=13 December 2007 |title=SFX Exclusive! Phil Collinson on Doctor Who (SPOILER ALERT!) |url=http://www.sfx.co.uk/page/sfx?entry=phil_collinson_on_doctor_who |website=[[SFX (magazine)|SFX]] |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090420112311/http://www.sfx.co.uk/page/sfx?entry=phil_collinson_on_doctor_who |archive-date=20 April 2009 |access-date=24 June 2025 }}</ref>{{verification failed|date=April 2025}}<ref>{{Cite news |last=Blake |first=Heidi |date=18 April 2010 |title=Doctor Who: 'nasty' new theme tune angers fans |work=The Daily Telegraph |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/tvandradio/doctor-who/7603262/Doctor-Who-nasty-new-theme-tune-angers-fans.html |url-status=live |access-date=20 May 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100530214525/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/tvandradio/doctor-who/7603262/Doctor-Who-nasty-new-theme-tune-angers-fans.html |archive-date=30 May 2010}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=The Name of the Doctor |url=http://www.radiotimes.com/news/2013-10-21/the-name-of-the-doctor/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180701083205/https://www.radiotimes.com/news/2013-10-21/the-name-of-the-doctor/ |archive-date=1 July 2018 |access-date=1 July 2018 |website=Radio Times}}</ref>{{additional citation needed|date=June 2025}} with the exception of [[Doctor Who series 11|series 11]]–[[Doctor Who series 13|13]] (2018–2021) and the [[Doctor Who specials (2022)|2022 specials]], when it was arranged by [[Segun Akinola]].<ref name=":0">{{Cite news |last=Jeffery |first=Morgan |date=26 June 2018 |title=Doctor Who series 11 composer has been revealed |url=http://www.digitalspy.com/tv/doctor-who/news/a860312/doctor-who-series-11-composer-music/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180627034313/http://www.digitalspy.com/tv/doctor-who/news/a860312/doctor-who-series-11-composer-music/ |archive-date=27 June 2018 |access-date=26 June 2018 |work=[[Digital Spy]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Scoring Doctor Who Series 11: An Interview with Composer Segun Akinola {{!}} Doctor Who |url=https://www.doctorwho.tv/news-and-features/scoring-doctor-who-series-11-an-interview-with-composer-segun-akinola |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20241205231040/https://www.doctorwho.tv/news-and-features/scoring-doctor-who-series-11-an-interview-with-composer-segun-akinola |archive-date=5 December 2024 |access-date=26 March 2025 |website=www.doctorwho.tv |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Doctor Who theme tune: new arrangement created from original 1963 recordings {{!}} Radio Times |url=https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/sci-fi/the-new-doctor-who-theme-tune-includes-recordings-of-the-1963-original/ |access-date=26 March 2025 |website=www.radiotimes.com |language=en-GB}}</ref> Akinola also created a new arrangement of the show's closing theme to play over the end credits of "[[Demons of the Punjab]]" (2018) in the style of [[Music of Punjab|Punjabi music]].<ref name="RT">{{cite news|last=Fullerton|first=Huw|title=11 Burning Questions We Have After Watching Doctor Who: Demons of the Punjab|url=https://www.radiotimes.com/news/tv/2018-11-14/doctor-who-demons-of-the-punjab-question-plotholes-theories/|date=23 November 2018|accessdate=13 February 2025|website=[[Radio Times]]|archive-date=16 November 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181116085703/https://www.radiotimes.com/news/tv/2018-11-14/doctor-who-demons-of-the-punjab-question-plotholes-theories/|url-status=live}}</ref>

Versions of the "Doctor Who Theme" have also been released as pop music. In the early 1970s, Jon Pertwee, who had played the Third Doctor, recorded a version of the Doctor Who theme with spoken lyrics, titled, "Who Is the Doctor".{{efn|Often mistitled "I am the Doctor". Originally released as a 7" vinyl single, plain sleeve, December 1972 on label Purple PUR III}} In 1978, a disco version of the theme in the UK, Denmark and Australia by the group Mankind, which reached number 24 in the UK charts. In 1988, the band The Justified Ancients of Mu Mu (later known as [[The KLF]]) released the single "[[Doctorin' the Tardis]]" under the name The Timelords, which reached No. 1 in the UK and No. 2 in Australia; this version incorporated several other songs, including "Rock and Roll Part 2" by [[Gary Glitter]] (who recorded vocals for some of the CD-single remix versions of "Doctorin' the Tardis").<ref name="guardian music">{{Cite news |last=Peel |first=Ian |date=7 July 2008 |title=Doctor Who: a musical force? |work=The Guardian |publisher=[[Guardian News and Media Ltd.]] |location=London |url=http://blogs.guardian.co.uk/music/2008/07/doctor_who_a_musical_force.html |url-status=dead |access-date=7 July 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080708223445/http://blogs.guardian.co.uk/music/2008/07/doctor_who_a_musical_force.html |archive-date=8 July 2008}}</ref> Others who have covered or reinterpreted the theme include [[Orbital (band)|Orbital]],<ref name="guardian music" /> [[Pink Floyd]],<ref name="guardian music" /> the Australian string ensemble [[FourPlay Electric String Quartet|Fourplay]], New Zealand punk band [[Blam Blam Blam]], [[The Pogues]], [[Thin Lizzy]], [[Dub Syndicate]], and the comedians [[Bill Bailey]] and [[Mitch Benn]]. Both the theme and obsessive fans were satirised on ''[[The Chaser's War on Everything]]''. The theme tune has also appeared on many compilation CDs, and has made its way into mobile-phone ringtones. Fans have also produced and distributed their own remixes of the theme. In January 2011, the Mankind version was released as a [[music download|digital download]] on the album ''Gallifrey And Beyond''.{{citation needed|date=January 2024}}

===Incidental music===
{{See also|List of Doctor Who music releases{{!}}List of ''Doctor Who'' music releases}}
Most of the innovative incidental music for ''Doctor Who'' has been specially commissioned from freelance composers, although in the early years some episodes also used [[stock music]], as well as occasional excerpts from original recordings or [[cover version]]s of songs by popular music acts such as [[The Beatles]] and [[the Beach Boys]].{{citation needed|date=March 2025}} Since its 2005 return, the series has featured occasional use of excerpts of pop music from the 1950s to the early 21st century.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Heller |first=Jason |date=2017-10-17 |title=How Doctor Who's Use of Pop Music Echoes Through the Decades |url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/how-doctor-whos-use-of-pop-music-echoes-through-the-decades-tvweek/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241208204847/https://www.vice.com/en/article/how-doctor-whos-use-of-pop-music-echoes-through-the-decades-tvweek/ |archive-date=2024-12-08 |access-date=2025-03-25 |website=Vice}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Taylor |first=Chris |date=19 April 2025 |title='Doctor Who' Easter eggs: Everything you missed in 'Lux' |url=https://mashable.com/article/doctor-who-season-2-episode-2-lux-easter-eggs |website=[[Mashable]] |location= |publisher= |access-date=24 June 2025}}</ref>

The incidental music for the first ''Doctor Who'' adventure, ''An Unearthly Child'', was written by [[Norman Kay (composer)|Norman Kay]]. Many of the stories of the [[William Hartnell]] period were scored by electronic music pioneer [[Tristram Cary]], whose ''Doctor Who'' credits include ''The Daleks'', ''[[Marco Polo (Doctor Who)|Marco Polo]]'', ''[[The Daleks' Master Plan]]'', ''The Gunfighters'' and ''[[The Mutants]]''. Other composers in this early period included [[Richard Rodney Bennett]], [[Carey Blyton]] and [[Geoffrey Burgon]].{{citation needed|date=January 2024}}

The most frequent musical contributor during the first 15 years was [[Dudley Simpson]], who is also well known for his theme and incidental music for ''[[Blake's 7]]'', and for his haunting theme music and score for the original 1970s version of ''[[The Tomorrow People]]''. Simpson's first ''Doctor Who'' score was ''[[Planet of Giants]]'' (1964) and he went on to write music for many adventures of the 1960s and 1970s, including most of the stories of the Jon Pertwee/Tom Baker periods, ending with ''[[The Horns of Nimon]]'' (1979). He also made a [[cameo appearance]] in ''[[The Talons of Weng-Chiang]]'' (as a [[music hall]] conductor).<ref>{{Cite news |date=19 December 2017 |title=Dudley Simpson: Composer and conductor who used synthesisers to create eerie music for Doctor Who serials |work=The Daily Telegraph |location=London, UK |pages=33}}</ref>

In 1980 starting with the serial ''[[The Leisure Hive]]'' the task of creating incidental music was assigned to the Radiophonic Workshop. [[Paddy Kingsland]] and [[Peter Howell (musician)|Peter Howell]] contributed many scores in this period and other contributors included [[Roger Limb]], [[Malcolm Clarke (composer)|Malcolm Clarke]] and [[Jonathan Gibbs (composer)|Jonathan Gibbs]]. The Radiophonic Workshop was dropped after 1986's ''[[The Trial of a Time Lord]]'' series, and [[Keff McCulloch]] took over as the series' main composer until the end of its run, with [[Dominic Glynn]] and [[Mark Ayres]] also contributing scores.{{citation needed|date=January 2024}}

From the 2005 revival to the 2017 Christmas episode "[[Twice Upon a Time (Doctor Who)|Twice Upon a Time]]",<ref>{{Cite web |last=Farnell |first=Chris |date=2023-04-28 |title=Why Did Murray Gold Leave Doctor Who? |url=https://www.denofgeek.com/tv/why-did-murray-gold-leave-doctor-who/ |access-date=2025-03-25 |website=Den of Geek |language=en-US}}</ref> all incidental music for the series was composed by [[Murray Gold]] and has been performed by the [[BBC National Orchestra of Wales]] from the 2005 Christmas episode "[[The Christmas Invasion]]" onwards. A concert featuring the orchestra performing music from the first two series took place on 19 November 2006 to raise money for Children in Need. David Tennant hosted the event, introducing the different sections of the concert.<ref>{{Cite web |title=BBC Two - Doctor Who: A Celebration Concert |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b007j11y |access-date=2025-03-25 |website=BBC |language=en-GB}}</ref> Murray Gold and [[Russell T Davies]] answered questions during the interval, and [[Dalek]]s and [[Cybermen]] appeared whilst music from their stories was played. The concert aired on [[BBC Red Button|BBCi]] on Christmas Day 2006. A [[Doctor Who Prom (2008)|Doctor Who Prom]] was celebrated on 27 July 2008 in the [[Royal Albert Hall]] as part of the annual [[BBC Proms]]. The BBC Philharmonic and the [[London Philharmonic Choir]] performed Murray Gold's compositions for the series, conducted by [[Ben Foster (composer)|Ben Foster]], as well as a selection of classics based on the theme of space and time. The event was presented by [[Freema Agyeman]] and guest-presented by various other stars of the show with numerous monsters participating in the proceedings. It also featured the specially filmed mini-episode "[[Music of the Spheres (Doctor Who)|Music of the Spheres]]", written by Russell T Davies and starring David Tennant.<ref>{{Cite web |date=27 July 2008 |title=BBC Prom 27 July 2008 |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/proms/2008/whatson/2707.shtml |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080718203226/http://www.bbc.co.uk/proms/2008/whatson/2707.shtml |archive-date=18 July 2008 |access-date=29 September 2008 |publisher=BBC}}</ref> Further ''Doctor Who'' Proms, primarily focused on Gold's compositions, were held at the Albert Hall in 2010 (presented by Karen Gillan and Arthur Darvill), 2013 (presented by [[Neve McIntosh]] and [[Dan Starkey (actor)|Dan Starkey]]), and 2024 (presented by previous guest presenter Catherine Tate). The 2024 Prom was conducted and orchestrated by [[Alastair King]].{{citation needed|date=June 2024}}

On 26 June 2018, producer Chris Chibnall announced that the musical score for [[Doctor Who series 11|series 11]] would be provided by [[Royal Birmingham Conservatoire]] alumnus [[Segun Akinola]].<ref name=":0" /> His approach was described as more subtle and "understated" than Gold's work by critics,<ref>{{Cite web |date=2018-12-10 |title=Doctor Who Series 11: How did Jodie Whittaker's first series measure up? |url=https://metro.co.uk/2018/12/10/doctor-who-series-11-jodie-whittakers-debut-wasnt-the-train-wreck-we-feared-but-not-quite-the-triumph-we-hoped-for-8225242/ |access-date=2025-03-26 |website=Metro |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Dillon-Trenchard |first=Pete |date=2018-10-07 |title=Doctor Who series 11: The Woman Who Fell To Earth review |url=https://www.denofgeek.com/tv/doctor-who-series-11-the-woman-who-fell-to-earth-review/ |access-date=2025-03-26 |website=Den of Geek |language=en-US}}</ref> and Akinola remained composer throughout Chibnall's tenure, scoring all of the [[Thirteenth Doctor]]'s episodes.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Doctor Who composer confirms final Jodie Whittaker special is his last {{!}} Radio Times |url=https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/sci-fi/doctor-who-composer-segun-akinola-exit-newsupdate/ |access-date=2025-03-26 |website=www.radiotimes.com |language=en-GB}}</ref> 

When Davies returned to produce the show in 2023, he rehired Gold to work on the series for [[Doctor Who specials (2023)|the 60th anniversary episodes]] and continuing into the [[Fifteenth Doctor]]'s tenure.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Whitbrook |first=James |date=2023-04-24 |title=Doctor Who Is Re-Recruiting Composer Murray Gold |url=https://gizmodo.com/doctor-who-60th-anniversary-murray-gold-bbc-rtd-1850369623 |access-date=2025-03-26 |website=Gizmodo |language=en-US}}</ref> Gold made a cameo in the 2024 episode "[[The Devil's Chord]]".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bibby |first=Daniel |date=2024-05-15 |title=Doctor Who Season 14 Revives A Great Cameo Trick Not Seen In 17 Years |url=https://screenrant.com/doctor-who-murray-gold-season-14-composer-cameo/ |access-date=2025-03-26 |website=ScreenRant |language=en}}</ref>

30 soundtracks (29 television and one film) have been released physically by Silva Screen Records since 2005, several of them on both CD and [[LP record|vinyl]]: the first featured tracks from [[Doctor Who series 1|series 1]] and [[Doctor Who series 2|2]], and was released in 2006.<ref>{{Cite web |date=17 July 2006 |title=Who soundtrack soon |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/doctorwho/news/cult/news/drwho/2006/07/17/33953.shtml |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060813135617/http://www.bbc.co.uk/doctorwho/news/cult/news/drwho/2006/07/17/33953.shtml |archive-date=13 August 2006 |access-date=4 August 2006 |publisher=BBC}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=1 November 2006 |title=Silva Screen announces Doctor Who CD release date |url=http://www.silvascreen.co.uk/news.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061212205542/http://www.silvascreen.co.uk/news.htm |archive-date=12 December 2006 |access-date=4 December 2006 |website=Silva Screen |publisher=Silva Screen Records}}</ref> Following this were [[Doctor Who series 3|series 3]] in 2007;<ref>{{cite web |author=<!--not stated--> |title=Doctor Who: Series 3 |url=https://www.doctorwhomusic.com/series-3/ |website=Doctor Who Official Soundtracks |publisher=Silva Screen Records |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240519174945/https://www.doctorwhomusic.com/series-3/ |archive-date=19 May 2024 |access-date=25 June 2025 }}</ref> [[Doctor Who series 4|series 4]] in 2008;<ref>{{cite web |author=<!--not stated--> |title=Doctor Who: Series 4 |url=https://www.doctorwhomusic.com/series-4/ |website=Doctor Who Official Soundtracks |publisher=Silva Screen Records |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240519184034/http://www.doctorwhomusic.com/series-4/ |archive-date=19 May 2024 |access-date=25 June 2025 }}</ref> an album of both ''[[Dr. Who and the Daleks]]'' and ''[[Daleks' Invasion Earth 2150 A.D.]]'' in 2009;<ref>{{cite web |author=<!--not stated--> |title=Dr Who & The Daleks / Daleks: Invasion Earth 2150 AD |url=https://www.doctorwhomusic.com/dr-who-and-the-daleks/ |website=Doctor Who Official Soundtracks |publisher=Silva Screen Records |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240519164851/http://www.doctorwhomusic.com/dr-who-and-the-daleks/ |archive-date=19 May 2024 |access-date=25 June 2025 }}</ref> the [[Doctor Who specials (2008–2010)|2008–2010 specials]] and [[Doctor Who series 5|series 5]] in 2010;<ref>{{cite web |author=<!--not stated--> |title=Doctor Who: Series 4: The Specials |url=https://www.doctorwhomusic.com/series-4-the-specials/ |publisher=Silva Screen Records |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240519164624/http://www.doctorwhomusic.com/series-4-the-specials/ |archive-date=19 May 2024 |access-date=25 June 2025 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |author=<!--not stated--> |title=Doctor Who: Series 5 |url=https://www.doctorwhomusic.com/series-5/ |publisher=Silva Screen Records |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240519182026/http://www.doctorwhomusic.com/series-5/ |archive-date=19 May 2024 |access-date=25 June 2025 }}</ref> an album of "[[A Christmas Carol (Doctor Who)|A Christmas Carol]]" and a separate album of [[Doctor Who series 6|series 6]] in 2011;<ref>{{cite web |author=<!--not stated--> |title=Doctor Who: A Christmas Carol |url=https://www.doctorwhomusic.com/christmas-carol/ |publisher=Silva Screen Records |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240519183602/http://www.doctorwhomusic.com/christmas-carol/ |archive-date=19 May 2024 |access-date=25 June 2025 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |author=<!--not stated--> |title=Doctor Who: Series 6 |url=https://www.doctorwhomusic.com/series-6/ |publisher=Silva Screen Records |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240519165156/http://www.doctorwhomusic.com/series-6/ |archive-date=19 May 2024 |access-date=25 June 2025 }}</ref> ''[[The Krotons]]'', ''[[The Caves of Androzani]]'', ''[[Ghost Light (Doctor Who)|Ghost Light]]'', and [[Doctor Who series 7|series 7]] (with "[[The Doctor, the Widow and the Wardrobe]]" and "[[The Snowmen]]" on a separate album) in 2013;{{efn|Multiple citations<ref>{{cite web |author=<!--not stated--> |title=Doctor Who: The Krotons |url=https://www.doctorwhomusic.com/krotons/ |publisher=Silva Screen Records |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240519171318/https://www.doctorwhomusic.com/krotons/ |archive-date=19 May 2024 |access-date=25 June 2025 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |author=<!--not stated--> |title=Doctor Who: The Caves of Androzani |url=https://www.doctorwhomusic.com/the-caves-of-androzani/ |publisher=Silva Screen Records |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240519163609/http://www.doctorwhomusic.com/the-caves-of-androzani/ |archive-date=19 May 2024 |access-date=25 June 2025 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |author=<!--not stated--> |title=Doctor Who: Ghost Light |url=https://www.doctorwhomusic.com/ghost-light/ |publisher=Silva Screen Records |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240616174400/http://www.doctorwhomusic.com/ghost-light/ |archive-date=16 June 2024 |access-date=25 June 2025 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |author=<!--not stated--> |title=Doctor Who: Series 7 |url=https://www.doctorwhomusic.com/series-7/ |publisher=Silva Screen Records |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240716030356/http://www.doctorwhomusic.com/series-7/ |archive-date=16 July 2024 |access-date=25 June 2025 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |author=<!--not stated--> |title=Doctor Who: The Snowmen / The Doctor, The Widow and the Wardrobe |url=https://www.doctorwhomusic.com/the-snowmen/ |publisher=Silva Screen Records |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240519175952/http://www.doctorwhomusic.com/the-snowmen/ |archive-date=19 May 2024 |access-date=25 June 2025 }}</ref>}} an album of both "[[The Day of the Doctor]]" and "[[The Time of the Doctor]]" in 2014;<ref>{{cite web |author=<!--not stated--> |title=Doctor Who: The Day Of The Doctor / The Time Of The Doctor |url=https://www.doctorwhomusic.com/the-day-of-the-doctor/ |publisher=Silva Screen Records |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240616175608/http://www.doctorwhomusic.com/the-day-of-the-doctor/ |archive-date=16 June 2024 |access-date=25 June 2025 }}</ref> [[Doctor Who series 8|series 8]] in 2015;<ref>{{cite web |author=<!--not stated--> |title=Doctor Who: Series 8 |url=https://www.doctorwhomusic.com/series-8/ |publisher=Silva Screen Records |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240519183742/http://www.doctorwhomusic.com/series-8/ |archive-date=19 May 2024 |access-date=25 June 2025 }}</ref> ''The Daleks'' and ''[[Survival (Doctor Who)|Survival]]'' in 2017;<ref>{{cite web |author=<!--not stated--> |title=Doctor Who: The Daleks |url=https://www.doctorwhomusic.com/the-daleks/ |publisher=Silva Screen Records |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240519181200/http://www.doctorwhomusic.com/the-daleks/ |archive-date=19 May 2024 |access-date=25 June 2025 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |author=<!--not stated--> |title=Doctor Who: Survival |url=https://www.doctorwhomusic.com/survival/ |publisher=Silva Screen Records |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240519182340/http://www.doctorwhomusic.com/survival/ |archive-date=19 May 2024 |access-date=25 June 2025 }}</ref> ''[[The Invasion (Doctor Who)|The Invasion]]'', ''[[The Five Doctors]]'', and [[Doctor Who series 9|series 9]] in 2018;<ref>{{cite web |author=<!--not stated--> |title=Doctor Who: The Invasion |url=https://www.doctorwhomusic.com/the-invasion/ |publisher=Silva Screen Records |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240519170321/http://www.doctorwhomusic.com/the-invasion/ |archive-date=19 May 2024 |access-date=25 June 2025 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |author=<!--not stated--> |title=Doctor Who: The Five Doctors |url=https://www.doctorwhomusic.com/the-five-doctors/ |publisher=Silva Screen Records |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231205052610/http://www.doctorwhomusic.com/the-five-doctors/ |archive-date=5 December 2023 |access-date=25 June 2025 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |author=<!--not stated--> |title=Doctor Who: Series 9 |url=https://www.doctorwhomusic.com/series-9/ |publisher=Silva Screen Records |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240519182803/http://www.doctorwhomusic.com/series-9/ |archive-date=19 May 2024 |access-date=25 June 2025 }}</ref> series 11 in 2019;<ref>{{cite web |author=<!--not stated--> |title=Doctor Who: Series 11 |url=https://www.doctorwhomusic.com/series-11/ |publisher=Silva Screen Records |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240519182611/http://www.doctorwhomusic.com/series-11/ |archive-date=19 May 2024 |access-date=25 June 2025 }}</ref> ''[[The Sun Makers]]'', ''[[The Visitation (Doctor Who)|The Visitation]]'', and [[Doctor Who series 12|series 12]] in 2020;<ref>{{cite web |author=<!--not stated--> |title=Doctor Who: The Sun Makers |url=https://www.doctorwhomusic.com/the-sun-makers/ |publisher=Silva Screen Records |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240716015651/http://www.doctorwhomusic.com/the-sun-makers/ |archive-date=16 July 2024 |access-date=25 June 2025 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |author=<!--not stated--> |title=Doctor Who: The Visitation |url=https://www.doctorwhomusic.com/the-visitation/ |publisher=Silva Screen Records |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240519163405/http://www.doctorwhomusic.com/the-visitation/ |archive-date=19 May 2024 |access-date=25 June 2025 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |author=<!--not stated--> |title=Doctor Who: Series 12 |url=https://www.doctorwhomusic.com/series-12/ |publisher=Silva Screen Records |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240519182455/http://www.doctorwhomusic.com/series-12/ |archive-date=19 May 2024 |access-date=25 June 2025 }}</ref> [[Doctor Who series 13|series 13]] (with "[[Revolution of the Daleks]]" as a bonus disc) in 2022;{{efn|"Revolution of the Daleks" was previously released digitally as a standalone album in 2021.<ref>{{cite web |author=<!--not stated--> |title=Doctor Who: Revolution of the Daleks |url=https://www.doctorwhomusic.com/revolution-of-the-daleks/ |publisher=Silva Screen Records |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240716021332/https://www.doctorwhomusic.com/revolution-of-the-daleks/ |archive-date=16 July 2024 |access-date=4 July 2025 }}</ref>}}<ref>{{cite web |author=<!--not stated--> |title=Doctor Who: Series 13 Flux |url=https://www.doctorwhomusic.com/series-13-flux/ |publisher=Silva Screen Records |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230401082814/http://www.doctorwhomusic.com/series-13-flux/ |archive-date=1 April 2023 |access-date=25 June 2025 }}</ref> ''[[Revenge of the Cybermen]]'', ''[[Time and the Rani]]'', and the [[Doctor Who specials (2022)|2022 specials]] in 2023;{{efn|Previously released digitally as three standalone albums in 2022.<ref>{{cite web |author=<!--not stated--> |title=Doctor Who: Series 13: Eve of the Daleks |url=https://www.doctorwhomusic.com/series-13-eve-of-the-daleks/ |publisher=Silva Screen Records |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230607125805/https://www.doctorwhomusic.com/series-13-eve-of-the-daleks/ |archive-date=7 June 2023 |access-date=4 July 2025 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |author=<!--not stated--> |title=Doctor Who: Series 13: Legend of the Sea Devils |url=https://www.doctorwhomusic.com/series-13-legend-of-the-sea-devils/ |publisher=Silva Screen Records |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230607130516/https://www.doctorwhomusic.com/series-13-legend-of-the-sea-devils/ |archive-date=7 June 2023 |access-date=4 July 2025 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |author=<!--not stated--> |title=Doctor Who: Series 13: The Power of the Doctor |url=https://www.doctorwhomusic.com/series-13-the-power-of-the-doctor/ |publisher=Silva Screen Records |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230607114810/https://www.doctorwhomusic.com/series-13-the-power-of-the-doctor/ |archive-date=7 June 2023 |access-date=4 July 2025 }}</ref>}}<ref>{{cite web |author=<!--not stated--> |title=Doctor Who: Revenge Of The Cybermen |url=https://www.doctorwhomusic.com/revenge-of-the-cybermen/ |publisher=Silva Screen Records |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240519181530/https://www.doctorwhomusic.com/revenge-of-the-cybermen/ |archive-date=19 May 2024 |access-date=25 June 2025 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |author=<!--not stated--> |title=Doctor Who: Time And The Rani |url=https://www.doctorwhomusic.com/time-and-the-rani/ |publisher=Silva Screen Records |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240519172102/https://www.doctorwhomusic.com/time-and-the-rani/ |archive-date=19 May 2024 |access-date=25 June 2025 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |author=<!--not stated--> |title=Doctor Who: Series 13: The Specials |url=https://www.doctorwhomusic.com/series-13-the-specials/ |publisher=Silva Screen Records |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240716022247/https://www.doctorwhomusic.com/series-13-the-specials/ |archive-date=16 July 2024 |access-date=25 June 2025 }}</ref> and ''The Daleks in Colour'' in 2024.<ref>{{cite web |author=<!--not stated--> |title=Doctor Who: The Daleks in Colour |url=https://www.doctorwhomusic.com/the-daleks-in-colour/ |publisher=Silva Screen Records |access-date=25 June 2025 }}</ref>

Additionally, in 2013, a 50th-anniversary boxed set of audio CDs was released featuring music and sound effects from Doctor Who's 50-year history. The celebration continued in 2016 with the release of Doctor Who: The 50th Anniversary Collection Four LP Box Set by New York City-based Spacelab9. The company pressed 1,000 copies of the set on "Metallic Silver" vinyl, dubbed the "Cyberman Edition".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Coopee |first=Todd |date=2 March 2016 |title=Doctor Who: The 50th Anniversary Collection 4 LP Box Set |url=https://toytales.ca/doctor-who-the-50th-anniversary-collection-4-lp-box-set/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160307025256/https://toytales.ca/doctor-who-the-50th-anniversary-collection-4-lp-box-set/ |archive-date=7 March 2016 |access-date=3 March 2016 |website=Toy Tales}}</ref>

==Viewership==
{{Main|Doctor Who fandom{{!}}''Doctor Who'' fandom}}

===United Kingdom===
[[File:MCM Expo Oct 2009 - TARDIS (4042460628).jpg|thumb|The image of the [[TARDIS]] is iconic in British popular culture. Here, a woman is [[Cosplay|dressed]] as a TARDIS.]]
Premiering the day after the [[assassination of John F. Kennedy]], the first episode of ''Doctor Who'' was repeated with the second episode the following week.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Lawson |first=Mark |date=30 September 2022 |title=JFK derails Doctor Who, plus the drama that was too terrifying to show: 100 years of the BBC, part five |url=https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2022/sep/30/jfk-doctor-who-bbc-pythons-mathc-of-the-day-dads-army |access-date=9 February 2024 |work=The Guardian|issn=0261-3077}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Farnell |first=Chris |date=9 June 2023 |title=Debunking Doctor Who Urban Legends: Daleks, JFK, and River Song's Dirty Joke |url=https://www.denofgeek.com/tv/debunking-doctor-who-urban-legends-daleks-jfk-river-song/ |access-date=9 February 2024 |website=Den of Geek}}</ref> ''Doctor Who'' has always appeared initially on the BBC's mainstream [[BBC One]] channel,{{efn|name=bbctv}}{{efn|name=iplayer24}} where it is regarded as a family show, drawing audiences of many millions of viewers;<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kuiper |first=El |date=20 November 2023 |title='Doctor Who' Is Bigger Than Ever—Find Out Where It's Streaming |url=https://www.themarysue.com/where-is-doctor-who-streaming-answered/ |access-date=9 February 2024 |website=The Mary Sue}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Gearan |first=Hannah |date=14 November 2023 |title="Quite Violent": 1 David Tennant Doctor Who Special Is "Not For Children," Showrunner Warns |url=https://screenrant.com/doctor-who-60th-anniversary-not-for-children-showrunner/ |access-date=9 February 2024 |website=ScreenRant}}</ref> The programme's popularity has waxed and waned over the decades, with three notable periods of high ratings,<ref name="ratings chart">{{cite news|first=Matt |last=Hilton |title=Doctor Who—Top Chart Placing&nbsp;– 1963–2008 |url=http://www.gallifreyone.com/picview.php?ret=news&sub=news&id=season4_final_4.jpg |work=Doctor Who News Page |publisher=[[Outpost Gallifrey]] |date=16 July 2008 |access-date=16 July 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080719041204/http://www.gallifreyone.com/picview.php?ret=news&sub=news&id=season4_final_4.jpg |archive-date=19 July 2008 }};{{Cite web |last=Hilton |first=Matt |date=11 January 2008 |title=Doctor Who Top Ratings: 1963–2007 |url=http://www.gallifreyone.com/picview.php?ret=news&sub=news&id=2007_ratings.jpg |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080315003100/http://www.gallifreyone.com/picview.php?ret=news&sub=news&id=2007_ratings.jpg |archive-date=15 March 2008 |access-date=17 July 2008 |website=Doctor Who News Page |publisher=[[Outpost Gallifrey]]}}</ref> but has become a significant part of British [[popular culture]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=ICONS. A Portrait of England |url=http://www.icons.org.uk/theicons/collection/doctor-who |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071103085551/http://www.icons.org.uk/theicons/collection/doctor-who |archive-date=3 November 2007 |access-date=16 May 2025}}</ref> The most popular period for the programme's history was the "[[Dalekmania]]" period ({{circa|1964–1965}}), when the popularity of the Daleks regularly brought ''Doctor Who'' ratings of between 9 and 14 million, even for stories which did not feature them.<ref name="ratings chart" /> The second was the mid to late 1970s, when Tom Baker occasionally drew audiences of over 12&nbsp;million.<ref name="ratings chart" />

During the [[ITV (TV network)|ITV]] network strike of 1979, viewership peaked at 16&nbsp;million.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Ratings Guide |url=https://guide.doctorwhonews.net/info.php?detail=ratings |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201116040406/https://guide.doctorwhonews.net/info.php?detail=ratings |archive-date=16 November 2020 |access-date=26 March 2020 |website=Doctor Who Guide}}</ref> Figures remained respectable into the 1980s, but fell noticeably after the programme's 23rd series was postponed in 1985 and the show was off the air for 18 months.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Elvy |first=Craig |date=20 November 2019 |title=Why Doctor Who Was Cancelled In The 1980s |url=https://screenrant.com/doctor-who-cancelled-1980s-why/ |access-date=9 February 2024 |website=ScreenRant}}</ref>

Its late 1980s performance of three to five million viewers was seen as poor at the time and was, according to the BBC Board of Control, a leading cause of the programme's 1989 suspension. Some fans considered this disingenuous, since the programme was scheduled against the ITV soap opera ''[[Coronation Street]]'', the most popular show at the time.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Ley |first=Shaun |date=29 May 2013 |title=Was Doctor Who rubbish in the 1980s? |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-22628484 |url-status=live |access-date=22 May 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190410021937/https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-22628484 |archive-date=10 April 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Douglas |first=Torin |date=8 December 2010 |title=Why Corrie is an enduring TV hit |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-11935400 |url-status=live |access-date=22 May 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190410044950/https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-11935400 |archive-date=10 April 2019}}</ref>

[[File:Cardiff - Dr Who Experience.jpg|thumb|upright=0.9|Exhibits in the ''Doctor Who Experience'', [[Cardiff Bay]], in 2015|left]]During Tennant's first run in 2005–2010 (the third notable period of high ratings), the show had consistently high viewership, with the Christmas specials regularly attracting over 10&nbsp;million.<ref name="ratings chart" /> [[Doctor Who specials (2023)|Tennant's specials in 2023]] were all seen by over 7&nbsp;million viewers, with all three specials charting in the top ten of the week after 7 days and 28 days, and Tennant as well as Gatwa's specials including 2024's "[[Joy to the World (Doctor Who)|Joy to the World]]" surpassing ''Coronation Street'' in the ratings.<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Spilsbury |first=Tom |date=March 2024 |title=Public Image |magazine=[[Doctor Who Magazine]] |issue=600 |location=Tunbridge Wells, Kent |publisher=[[Panini Comics]] |page=12}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |last=Spilsbury |first=Tom |date=April 2024 |title=Gallifrey Guardian: Ruby Ratings |magazine=[[Doctor Who Magazine]] |issue=601 |location=Tunbridge Wells, Kent |publisher=[[Panini Comics]] |page=5}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |last=Spilsbury |first=Tom |date=February 2025 |title=Public Image |magazine=[[Doctor Who Magazine]] |issue=613 |location=Tunbridge Wells, Kent |publisher=[[Panini Comics]] |page=10}}</ref> By 2025, UK ratings after seven days had fallen to an average of 3.2&nbsp;million viewers, although this was a trend across all TV since the start of the [[COVID-19 pandemic]], with many other dramas that used to break 10&nbsp;million viewers no longer doing so such as ''Coronation Street'' at this point averaging 4.8&nbsp;million, and ''Doctor Who'' averaging at 24th place in the weekly charts (the [[Doctor Who series 12|January–March 2020 series]] was watched by more people but averaged at 25th place).<ref name="image 2025">{{cite magazine |last=Spilbsury |first=Tom |date=July 2025 |title=Public Image |magazine=[[Doctor Who Magazine]] |issue=618 |page=7 |location=Tunbridge Wells, Kent |publisher=[[Panini Comics]] |access-date=}}</ref>

The BBC One broadcast of "[[Rose (Doctor Who episode)|Rose]]", the first episode of the 2005 revival, drew an average audience of 10.81&nbsp;million, third highest for BBC One that week and seventh across all channels.<ref name="ratings chart" /><ref>{{Cite web |date=16 July 2008 |title=Weekly Viewing Summary: Terrestrial Top 30&nbsp;– Week ending 6 July 2008 |url=http://www.barb.co.uk/viewingsummary/weekreports.cfm?report=weeklyterrestrial&requesttimeout=500 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080713233601/http://www.barb.co.uk/viewingsummary/weekreports.cfm?report=weeklyterrestrial&RequestTimeout=500 |archive-date=13 July 2008 |access-date=16 July 2008 |website=[[Broadcasters' Audience Research Board]]}}</ref> By late 2007, the revival had also garnered the highest audience [[Appreciation Index]] of any drama on television.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Wright |first=Mark |date=1 November 2007 |title=These sci-fi people vote |work=[[The Stage]] |url=http://blogs.thestage.co.uk/tvtoday/2007/11/these-scifi-people-vote/ |url-status=dead |access-date=9 April 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080409164855/http://blogs.thestage.co.uk/tvtoday/2007/11/these-scifi-people-vote/ |archive-date=9 April 2008}}</ref>

On 29 April 2017 [[Guinness World Records]] named ''Doctor Who'' the longest running sci-fi programme with the airing of its 819th episode.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/longest-running-science-fiction-tv-series |title=Most prolific science-fiction tv series |website=Guinness World Records |access-date=16 May 2025}}</ref> It had previously been awarded the title of "most successful" science fiction series in 2009, based on its broadcast viewership, as well as book and DVD sales.<ref name="Miller">{{Cite news |last=Miller |first=Liz Shannon |date=26 July 2009 |title='Doctor Who' honored by Guinness |url=https://variety.com/2009/biz/news/doctor-who-honored-by-guinness-1118006512/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090801070428/http://www.variety.com/article/VR1118006512.html?categoryid=14&cs=1&nid=2562 |archive-date=1 August 2009 |access-date=8 February 2022 |work=Variety}}</ref>

===International===
[[File:DoctorWhoWorld Map.svg|thumb|upright=1.20|Map of countries that have broadcast ''Doctor Who'' ({{as of|2013|lc=y}})]]
''Doctor Who'' has been broadcast internationally outside of the United Kingdom since 1964, a year after the show first aired. {{as of|2013|November}}, the modern series has been broadcast in more than 50 countries.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Fear |first=Chelsea |date=20 November 2013 |title=50 Years of Doctor Who: Listening to Audiences Around the World |url=https://www.brandwatch.com/blog/dr-who/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201116040406/https://www.brandwatch.com/blog/dr-who/ |archive-date=16 November 2020 |access-date=26 March 2020 |website=Brandwatch}}</ref> The 50th anniversary episode, "[[The Day of the Doctor]]", was broadcast in 94 countries and screened to more than half a million people in cinemas across Australia, Latin America, North America and Europe. The scope of the broadcast was a world record, according to ''[[Guinness World Records]]''.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Booth |first=Robert |date=24 November 2013 |title=Doctor Who one of biggest shows in the world, says BBC following 'simulcast' |url=https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2013/nov/24/doctor-who-biggest-show-world-bbc-simulcast |access-date=26 March 2020 |website=[[The Guardian]]}}</ref>

In 2008 ''Doctor Who'' was one of the five top-grossing titles for [[BBC Worldwide]], the BBC's commercial arm,{{efn|BBC Worldwide and the BBC's production arm were consolidated into [[BBC Studios]] in 2018.}}<ref>{{Cite news |last=Sweney |first=Mark |date=8 July 2008 |title=Profits grow at BBC Worldwide |work=The Guardian |location=London |url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2008/jul/08/bbc.television2 |url-status=live |access-date=8 July 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130930144404/http://www.theguardian.com/media/2008/jul/08/bbc.television2 |archive-date=30 September 2013}}</ref> and in 2011 it was BBC Worldwide's biggest selling show.<ref>{{cite web |last=Sweney |first=Mark |date=12 July 2011 |title=Doctor Who BBC Worldwide's biggest-selling TV show internationally |url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2011/jul/12/doctor-who-bbc-worldwide |website=[[The Guardian]] |location=London |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230729200032/https://www.theguardian.com/media/2011/jul/12/doctor-who-bbc-worldwide |archive-date=29 July 2023 |access-date=18 June 2025}}</ref> [[John Smith (BBC executive)|John Smith]], BBC Worldwide CEO from 2004 until 2012, has said that ''Doctor Who'' is one of a small number of "Superbrands" which are heavily promoted worldwide.<ref>{{Cite news |last=O'Connor |first=Gavin |date=13 July 2008 |title=Daleks speak to all nations |work=[[Wales on Sunday]] |url=http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/2008/07/13/daleks-speak-to-all-nations-91466-21331585/ |access-date=13 July 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080715043335/http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/2008/07/13/daleks-speak-to-all-nations-91466-21331585/ |archive-date=15 July 2008}}</ref>

Only four episodes have premiere showings on channels other than [[BBC One]]. The 1983 20th-anniversary special "[[The Five Doctors]]" had its debut on 23 November (the actual date of the anniversary) on a number of PBS stations two days before its BBC One broadcast. The 1988 story ''[[Silver Nemesis]]'' was broadcast with all three episodes airing back to back on [[TVNZ]] in New Zealand in November, after the first episode had been shown in the UK but before the final two instalments had aired there.{{citation needed|date=January 2024}}

Starting with the [[Doctor Who (2023 specials)|60th-anniversary specials]] in 2023, ''Doctor Who'' has been released on [[Disney+]] outside the United Kingdom and Ireland.<ref name="disney deadline">{{Cite web |last=Hayes |first=Dade |date=25 October 2022 |title='Doctor Who' Moves To Disney+ Outside UK And Ireland Via BBC-Disney Branded Television Partnership |url=https://deadline.com/2022/10/doctor-who-moves-to-disney-plus-outside-uk-and-ireland-1235154220/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221025141346/https://deadline.com/2022/10/doctor-who-moves-to-disney-plus-outside-uk-and-ireland-1235154220/ |archive-date=25 October 2022 |access-date=26 October 2022 |website=[[Deadline Hollywood|Deadline]]}}</ref> As with many [[Over-the-top media service|streaming platforms]], Disney+ viewership ratings are not public.<ref name="image 2025" /> The partnership ended in October 2025.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Porter |first=Rick |date=2025-10-28 |title=Disney+ Ends 'Doctor Who' Partnership, BBC Commits to Continue Series |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/disney-plus-drops-doctor-bbc-continuing-series-1236411792/ |access-date=2025-10-29 |website=The Hollywood Reporter |language=en-US}}</ref>

====Oceania====
{{Main|Doctor Who in Australia{{!}}''Doctor Who'' in Australia}}
New Zealand was the first country outside the United Kingdom to screen ''Doctor Who'', beginning in September 1964, and continued to screen the series for many years, including the 2005 revived series that aired on [[Prime (New Zealand TV channel)|Prime]] Television from 2005 to 2017.<ref>{{Cite web |title=New Zealand |url=https://broadwcast.org/index.php/New_Zealand |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201116040201/https://broadwcast.org/index.php/New_Zealand |archive-date=16 November 2020 |access-date=26 March 2020 |website=broadwcast}}</ref> In 2018, the series is aired on Fridays on TVNZ 2, and on TVNZ On Demand on the same episode as the UK.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Doctor Who |url=https://www.tvnz.co.nz/shows/doctor-who |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180930022605/https://www.tvnz.co.nz/shows/doctor-who |archive-date=30 September 2018 |access-date=24 November 2018 |website=TVNZ |publisher=[[Television New Zealand]]}}</ref> The series moved to [[TVNZ 1]] in 2021,{{citation needed|date=January 2024}} before TVNZ lost the rights to the show altogether in 2022.<ref>{{Cite web |date=17 October 2022 |title=TVNZ loses Dr Who to Disney+ as another franchise goes global |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/tvnz-loses-dr-who-to-disney-as-another-franchise-goes-global/BQA34MKN3VQXXKXBATWB7TC7TY/#google_vignette |access-date=10 September 2024 |website=[[NZ Herald]] |language=en-NZ}}</ref>

In Australia, the show has had a strong fan base since its inception, having been exclusively first run by the [[Australian Broadcasting Corporation]] (ABC) from January 1965 until the [[Doctor Who specials (2022)|2022 specials]], when Disney+ became the new exclusive broadcaster for the [[Doctor Who specials (2023)|2023 specials]] and later episodes.<ref name="disney deadline"/><ref>{{cite web |author=<!-- not stated --> |date=25 October 2022 |title=ABC statement on Doctor Who |url=https://www.abc.net.au/about/media-centre/statements-and-responses/abc-statement-on-doctor-who/103726154 |website=[[Australian Broadcasting Corporation]] |location= |publisher= |access-date=19 June 2025 }}</ref> The ABC has periodically repeated episodes; of note were the daily screenings of all available classic episodes starting in 2003 for the show's 40th anniversary and the weekly screenings of all available revived episodes in 2013 for the show's 50th anniversary. The ABC broadcast the modern series' first run on [[ABC1]] and [[ABC Me]], with repeats on [[ABC2]] and streaming (prior to the 2023 specials) available on [[ABC iview]].<ref>{{Cite news |title=Doctor Who: Everything you need to know about the new season without any spoilers |agency=ABC |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-07-20/doctor-who-everything-you-need-to-know-about-the-new-season/10013820 |url-status=live |access-date=12 April 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201116040301/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-07-20/doctor-who-everything-you-need-to-know-about-the-new-season/10013820 |archive-date=16 November 2020}}</ref>

====Americas====
{{Main|Doctor Who in Canada and the United States{{!}}''Doctor Who'' in Canada and the United States}}
[[File:Icons of Science Fiction - Doctor Who, Dalek (15197698124).jpg|thumb|upright|Dalek at the ''Icons of Science Fiction'' exhibition held at the [[Museum of Pop Culture]], [[Seattle]] ]]
The series also has a fan base in the United States, where it was shown in [[Broadcast syndication|syndication]] from the 1970s to the 1990s, particularly on [[PBS]] stations.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Why Do Americans Like Doctor Who? {{!}} Forbes and Fifth {{!}} University of Pittsburgh |url=https://www.forbes5.pitt.edu/article/why-do-americans-doctor-who |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190531131850/https://www.forbes5.pitt.edu/article/why-do-americans-doctor-who |archive-date=31 May 2019 |access-date=31 May 2019 |website=forbes5.pitt.edu}}</ref> 
[[File:WonderCon 2012 - Doctor Who (7019139071).jpg|thumb|Doctor Who fans [[cosplay]] as the Doctor and his companion, Rose, at [[WonderCon]], [[California]].]]
In Canada, [[TVOntario]] picked up the show in 1976 beginning with ''[[The Three Doctors (Doctor Who)|The Three Doctors]]'' and aired each series (several years late) through to series 24 in 1991. From 1979 to 1981, TVO airings were bookended by science-fiction writer [[Judith Merril]] who introduced the episode and then, after the episode concluded, tried to place it in an educational context in keeping with TVO's status as an educational channel. Its airing of ''[[The Talons of Weng-Chiang]]'' was cancelled as a result of accusations that the story was [[racist]]; the story was later broadcast in the 1990s on cable station YTV. CBC began showing the series again in 2005. The series moved to the Canadian cable channel [[Space (Canadian TV channel)|Space]] in 2009.<ref name="Next Doctor" />

Series three began broadcasting on CBC on 18 June 2007 followed by the second Christmas special, "[[The Runaway Bride (Doctor Who)|The Runaway Bride]]", at midnight,<ref>{{Cite news |title=Canada: Runaway Bride and Series Three on CBC |publisher=[[Canadian Broadcasting Corporation]] |url=http://www.cbc.ca/doctorwho/ |url-status=dead |access-date=9 June 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070531224227/http://www.cbc.ca/doctorwho/ |archive-date=31 May 2007}}</ref> and the Sci Fi Channel began on 6 July 2007, starting with the second Christmas special at 8:00&nbsp;pm E/P followed by the first episode.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Sci Fi on Air Schedule |url=http://www.scifi.com/schedulebot/index.php3?date=6%20July%202007&feed_req= |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070611211201/http://www.scifi.com/schedulebot/index.php3 |archive-date=11 June 2007 |publisher=Scifi.com}}</ref>

Series four aired in the United States on the Sci Fi Channel (now known as [[Syfy]]), beginning in April 2008.<ref>{{Cite web |title='Doctor Who' series 4, 'Sarah Jane' Travel to Sci Fi |url=http://www.zap2it.com/tv/news/zap-doctorwhoseason4scifi,0,6573489.story |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080207013326/http://www.zap2it.com/tv/news/zap-doctorwhoseason4scifi%2C0%2C6573489.story |archive-date=7 February 2008 |access-date=4 February 2008 |website=Zap2it}}</ref> It aired on CBC beginning 19 September 2008, although the CBC did not air the "Voyage of the Damned" special.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Series Four Starts 19 September on CBC |url=http://www.dwin.org/article.php?sid=242 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110719032413/http://www.dwin.org/article.php?sid=242 |archive-date=19 July 2011 |access-date=22 May 2008 |website=dwin.org |publisher=Doctor Who Information Network}}</ref> The Canadian cable network Space (now known as [[CTV Sci-Fi Channel]]) broadcast "The Next Doctor" (in March 2009) and all subsequent series and specials.<ref name="Next Doctor">{{Cite web |title=Doctor Who: The Next Doctor |url=http://www.spacecast.com/shows/doctorwho.aspx |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090331121045/http://www.spacecast.com/shows/doctorwho.aspx |archive-date=31 March 2009 |access-date=5 March 2009 |website=SPACE |publisher=[[CTVGlobemedia]]}}</ref>

The series was aired in [[Brazil]] at the TV networks Syfy and, more frequently, at the public broadcaster [[TV Cultura]]. Except for international distribution rights holders, it had already been made available on local streaming platforms [[Looke]] and [[Globoplay]]. Starting from 2024, [[Doctor Who series 1|series 1]] through [[Doctor Who series 13|13]] became available on the streaming service [[Sistema Brasileiro de Televisão|+SBT]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=SBT anuncia novo streaming para 2024 e tem Doctor Who como principal atração |url=https://aratuon.com.br/geral/2023-12-01/sbt-anuncia-novo-streaming-para-2024-e-tem-doctor-who-como-principal-atracao/ |date=1 December 2023 |access-date=4 December 2023 |website=Aratu On |publisher=[[TV Aratu]]}}</ref>

====Asia====
Series 1 through 3 of Doctor Who were broadcast on various [[NHK]] channels from 2006 to 2008 with Japanese subtitles.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Doctor Who NHK |url=http://www3.nhk.or.jp/kaigai/doctorwho/yotei/yotei_27.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080914071626/http://www3.nhk.or.jp/kaigai/doctorwho/yotei/yotei_27.html |archive-date=14 September 2008 |access-date=22 January 2020}}</ref> Beginning on 2 August 2009, upon the launch of [[Disney XD Japan|Disney XD in Japan]], the series has been broadcast with Japanese dubbing.<ref>{{Cite web |title=ディズニーXD 8月「アーロン・ストーン」「ドクター・フー」他 |url=https://www.tvgroove.com/news/article/ctg/2/nid/2273.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190819041352/https://www.tvgroove.com/news/article/ctg/2/nid/2273.html |archive-date=19 August 2019 |access-date=22 January 2020}}</ref>

===Home media===
{{Main|List of Doctor Who home video releases{{!}}List of ''Doctor Who'' home video releases}}
A wide selection of serials is available from BBC Video on DVD, on sale in the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada and the United States. By 2013, every fully extant serial was [[List of Doctor Who DVD releases|released on VHS and DVD]] by [[BBC Worldwide]].{{efn|The VHS releases ended in 2003, before copies of episodes 1, 2, 4, 5, and 6 of ''[[The Enemy of the World]]'' were discovered in 2013.}} BBC Worldwide (until 2018) and [[BBC Studios Home Entertainment]] (since 2018) continues to release the 2005 revival series on DVD and [[Blu-ray]]. [[Doctor Who series 1|Series 1]] is also available in its entirety on [[Universal Media Disc|UMD]] for the [[PlayStation Portable]]. Eight original series serials have been released on [[Laserdisc]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=BBC classic series laserdiscs @ The TARDIS Library (Doctor Who books, DVDs, videos & audios) |url=http://www.timelash.com/tardis/list.asp?laserdisc |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111011081435/http://timelash.com/tardis/list.asp?laserdisc |archive-date=11 October 2011 |access-date=30 July 2011 |publisher=Timelash}}</ref> and many have also been released on [[Betamax]] tape and [[Video 2000]]. One episode of Doctor Who (''[[The Infinite Quest]]'') was released on [[VCD]]. Initially, only the series from the [[Doctor Who specials (2008–2010)|2008–2010 specials]] onwards were also available on [[Blu-ray]], along with ''[[Spearhead from Space]]'' (1970), released in July 2013,<ref>{{cite web |last=O'Neill |first=Phelim |date=13 July 2013 |title=Doctor Who: Spearhead From Space: this week's new DVD & Blu-ray |url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2013/jul/13/this-weeks-new-dvd-blu-ray |website=[[The Guardian]] |location=London |access-date=27 June 2025 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |author=<!-- not stated --> |date= |title=Spearhead from Space: Blu-ray contents and cover revealed {{!}} Doctor Who |url=https://www.doctorwho.tv/news-and-features/spearhead-from-space-blu-ray-contents-and-cover-revealed |website= |location= |publisher=[[BBC Studios]] |access-date=27 June 2025 }}</ref> and the 1996 TV film ''[[Doctor Who (film)|Doctor Who]]'', released in September 2016.<ref>{{Cite web |last=McEwan |first=Cameron K |date=10 August 2016 |title=The Doctor Who TV Movie lands on Blu-ray! {{!}} Doctor Who |url=https://www.doctorwho.tv/news-and-features/the-doctor-who-tv-movie-lands-on-blu-ray |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250616002932/https://www.doctorwho.tv/news-and-features/the-doctor-who-tv-movie-lands-on-blu-ray |archive-date=16 June 2025 |access-date=27 June 2025 |publisher=[[BBC Studios]] }}</ref> However, in 2018 it was announced that the classic run would be released on Blu-ray starting with a box set of [[Doctor Who season 12|season 12]].<ref>{{cite web |last=McEwan |first=Cameron |date=4 March 2018 |title=Doctor Who: The Collection – Season 12 coming to Blu-ray boxset {{!}} Doctor Who |url=https://www.doctorwho.tv/news-and-features/doctor-who-the-collection-season-12-coming-to-blu-ray-boxset |website= |location= |publisher=[[BBC Studios]] |access-date=27 June 2025 }}</ref> Series 1 through [[Doctor Who series 4|4]] of the revival (2005–2008) were initially only released commercially on DVD, but had two separate Blu-ray upscales in November 2013 and in 2023.<ref>{{cite web |author=<!-- not stated --> |date=3 September 2013 |title=Doctor Who Complete Series 1-7 comes to Blu-ray {{!}} Doctor Who |url=https://www.doctorwho.tv/news-and-features/doctor-who-complete-series-1-7-comes-to-blu-ray |location= |publisher=[[BBC Studios]] |access-date=27 June 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last= |first= |date=17 August 2023 |title=A newly remastered Series 1 – 4 Blu-ray of Doctor Who is coming soon {{!}} Doctor Who |url=https://www.doctorwho.tv/news-and-features/a-newly-remastered-series-1-4-blu-ray-of-doctor-who-is-coming-soon |location= |publisher=[[BBC Studios]] |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250403221658/https://www.doctorwho.tv/news-and-features/a-newly-remastered-series-1-4-blu-ray-of-doctor-who-is-coming-soon |archive-date=3 April 2025 |access-date=18 June 2025}}</ref>

Over 600 episodes of the classic series (the first 8 Doctors, from 1963 to 1996) are available to stream on [[BritBox]] (launched in 2017) and [[Pluto TV]].<ref>{{Cite news |title=Over 600 Doctor Who Episodes |agency=BritBox |url=https://www.britbox.co.uk/ |url-status=live |access-date=13 April 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201116040205/https://www.britbox.co.uk/ |archive-date=16 November 2020}}</ref> From 2020 until 2025,<ref>{{cite web |last=Kuiper |first=El |date=July 10, 2025 |title=Why August 1 Is Set To Be Another Rough Day For Doctor Who Fans |url=https://screenrant.com/doctor-who-leaving-hbo-max-streaming/ |website=Screen Rant |location= |publisher= |access-date=October 1, 2025}}</ref> most of the revival series was available for streaming on [[HBO Max]], as well as spin-offs ''Sarah Jane Adventures'' and ''Torchwood''.<ref>{{Cite web |last=MacDonald |first=Lindsay |date=1 August 2019 |title=Calling All Whovians: ''Doctor Who'' Is Streaming Exclusively on HBO Max Next Year |url=https://www.tvguide.com/news/hbo-max-doctor-who-streaming-2020/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201116040248/https://www.tvguide.com/news/hbo-max-doctor-who-streaming-hbo-max/ |archive-date=16 November 2020 |access-date=22 March 2020 |website=TV Guide |publisher=[[Red Ventures]]}}</ref> Ahead of the 60th anniversary of the series, BBC cleared the rights to allow almost every single non-missing episode of ''Doctor Who''{{efn|With the exception of ''[[An Unearthly Child]]''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/sci-fi/doctor-who-an-unearthly-child-iplayer-newsupdate/|publisher=Radio Times|access-date=7 December 2023|date=17 October 2023|title=BBC confirms Doctor Who's first story won't be in iPlayer back catalogue}}</ref> {{as of|2025|6}} the rights to ''[[Terror of the Zygons]]'' and ''[[The Seeds of Doom]]'' have since expired.}} onto [[iPlayer]]. Additionally various spin-offs were also added to iPlayer including ''[[Torchwood]]'', ''[[The Sarah Jane Adventures]]'', ''[[Class (2016 TV series)|Class]]'', and ''[[Doctor Who Confidential]]''.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.gamesradar.com/doctor-who-60-year-anniversary-800-episode-archive/ |title=Doctor Who celebrates 60 year anniversary by releasing 800 episodes online |last=Milici |first=Lauren |work=[[Total Film]] |date=10 October 2023 |accessdate=11 October 2023 }}</ref>

==Adaptations and other appearances==
===Films===
{{Main|Dr. Who and the Daleks{{!}}''Dr. Who and the Daleks''|Daleks' Invasion Earth 2150 A.D.{{!}}''Daleks' Invasion Earth 2150 A.D.''}}
There are two Dr. Who feature films: ''[[Dr. Who and the Daleks]]'', released in 1965 and ''[[Daleks' Invasion Earth 2150 A.D.]]'' in 1966.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Bradshaw |first=Peter |date=2022-07-06 |title=Dr Who and the Daleks/ Daleks' Invasion Earth 2150 AD review – retro Time Lord thrills |url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2022/jul/06/dr-who-and-the-daleks-daleks-invasion-earth-2150-ad-review-retro-time-lord-thrills |access-date=2025-03-25 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}</ref> Both are retellings of existing television stories (specifically, the first two Dalek serials, ''[[The Daleks]]'' and ''[[The Dalek Invasion of Earth]]'' respectively) with a larger budget and alterations to the series concept.{{citation needed|date=March 2025}}

In these films, [[Peter Cushing]] plays a human scientist<ref>{{Cite news |date=5 January 2009 |title=Matt Smith is the eleventh, and youngest, actor to play Doctor Who |work=News |publisher=[[Telegraph Media Group]] |location=London |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/picturegalleries/celebritynews/4124547/Matt-Smith-is-the-eleventh-and-youngest-actor-to-play-Doctor-Who.html?image=4 |url-status=live |access-date=15 June 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131003144211/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/picturegalleries/celebritynews/4124547/Matt-Smith-is-the-eleventh-and-youngest-actor-to-play-Doctor-Who.html?image=4 |archive-date=3 October 2013}}</ref> named "Dr. Who" who travels with his granddaughter, niece, and other companions in a time machine he has invented. The [[Dr. Who (Dalek films)#Other appearances|Cushing version]] of the character reappears in both comic strips and a short story, the latter attempting to reconcile the film continuity with that of the series. In addition, several planned films were proposed, including a sequel, ''The Chase'', loosely based on the [[The Chase (Doctor Who)|original series story]], for the Cushing Doctor, plus [[List of unmade Doctor Who serials and films#Proposed films|many attempted television movie and big-screen productions]] to revive the original ''Doctor Who'' after the original series was cancelled.{{citation needed|date=January 2024}}

In 2011, [[David Yates]] announced that he had started work with the BBC on a ''Doctor Who'' film, a project that would take three or more years to complete. Yates indicated that the film would take a different approach from ''Doctor Who'',<ref>{{Cite news |last=Dawtrey |first=Adam |date=14 November 2011 |title=Yates to direct bigscreen 'Doctor Who' |work=Variety |url=https://variety.com/2011/film/news/yates-to-direct-bigscreen-doctor-who-1118046098/ |url-status=live |access-date=8 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111115192725/http://www.variety.com/article/VR1118046098 |archive-date=15 November 2011}}</ref> although then showrunner [[Steven Moffat]] stated later that any such film would not be a reboot of the series and that a film should be made by the BBC team and star the current TV Doctor.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Sperling |first=Daniel |date=2 December 2011 |title='Doctor Who' Movie Will Not Be A Reboot Says Moffat |url=https://www.digitalspy.com/movies/a354022/doctor-who-movie-will-not-be-a-reboot-says-steven-moffat/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120119155344/http://www.digitalspy.com/movies/s7/doctor-who/news/a354022/doctor-who-movie-will-not-be-a-reboot-says-steven-moffat.html |archive-date=19 January 2012 |access-date=8 February 2022 |website=Digital Spy}}</ref>

===Spin-offs===
{{Main|Doctor Who spin-offs{{!}}''Doctor Who'' spin-offs}}
''Doctor Who'' has appeared on stage numerous times. In the early 1970s, [[Trevor Martin]] played the role in ''Doctor Who and the Daleks in the Seven Keys to Doomsday''. In the late 1980s, Jon Pertwee and Colin Baker both played the Doctor at different times during the run of a play titled ''Doctor Who&nbsp;– The Ultimate Adventure''. For two performances, while Pertwee was ill, [[David Banks (British actor)|David Banks]] (better known for playing [[Cybermen]]) played the Doctor. Other original plays have been staged as amateur productions, with other actors playing the Doctor, while [[Terry Nation]] wrote ''The Curse of the Daleks'', a stage play mounted in the late 1960s, but without the Doctor.{{citation needed|date=January 2024}}

A pilot episode ("[[A Girl's Best Friend]]") for a potential spin-off series, ''[[K-9 and Company]]'', aired in 1981, with [[Elisabeth Sladen]] reprising her role as companion [[Sarah Jane Smith]] and [[John Leeson]] as the voice of [[K9 (Doctor Who)|K9]], but was not picked up as a regular series. Concept art for an animated ''Doctor Who'' series was produced by animation company [[Nelvana]] in the 1980s, but the series was not produced.<ref>{{Cite AV media |url=http://www.cbc.ca/planetofthedoctor/videos.html |title=The Planet of the Doctor, Part 6: Doctor Who & Culture II |date=2004 |type=Documentary |publisher=[[CBC Television]] |place=Toronto |access-date=9 April 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090702214033/http://www.cbc.ca/planetofthedoctor/videos.html |archive-date=2 July 2009 |url-status=dead |format=[[QuickTime]] or [[Windows Media]] |people=Bailey, Shaun (Producer); Kalangis, Johnny (Director)}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |title=Planet of the Doctor |work=[[CBC Television]] |url=http://www.cbc.ca/planetofthedoctor/tb_gallery.html |access-date=9 April 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080430203208/http://www.cbc.ca/planetofthedoctor/tb_gallery.html |archive-date=30 April 2008}}</ref>

Following the success of the 2005 series produced by Russell T Davies, the BBC commissioned Davies to produce a 13-part spin-off series titled ''[[Torchwood]]'' (an [[anagram]] of "Doctor Who"), set in modern-day [[Cardiff]] and investigating alien activities and crime. The series debuted on [[BBC Three]] on 22 October 2006.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Walker |first=Stephen James |title=Inside the Hub |publisher=[[Telos Publishing]] |year=2007 |isbn=978-1-84583-013-7 |location=Tolworth, Surrey |page=101 |author-link=Stephen James Walker}}</ref> [[John Barrowman]] reprised his role of [[Jack Harkness]] from the 2005 series of ''Doctor Who''.<ref>{{Cite news |date=17 October 2005 |title=Doctor Who spin-off made in Wales |work=BBC News |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/4349120.stm |url-status=live |access-date=24 April 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060423184225/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/4349120.stm |archive-date=23 April 2006}}</ref> Two other actresses who appeared in ''Doctor Who'' also star in the series: [[Eve Myles]] as [[Gwen Cooper]], who played the similarly named servant girl Gwyneth in the 2005 ''Doctor Who'' episode "[[The Unquiet Dead]]",<ref>{{Cite web |date=24 February 2006 |title=Team Torchwood |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b006q2x0 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070208082919/http://www.bbc.co.uk/doctorwho/news/cult/news/drwho/2006/02/24/29846.shtml |archive-date=8 February 2007 |access-date=24 April 2006 |publisher=BBC}}</ref> and [[Naoko Mori]], who reprised her role as [[Toshiko Sato]], first seen in "[[Aliens of London]]". A second series of ''Torchwood'' aired in 2008; for three episodes, the cast was joined by Freema Agyeman reprising her ''Doctor Who'' role of [[Martha Jones]]. A third series was broadcast from 6 to 10 July 2009, and consisted of a single five-part story called ''Children of Earth'' which was set largely in London. A fourth series, ''[[Torchwood: Miracle Day]]'' jointly produced by BBC Wales, BBC Worldwide and the American entertainment company Starz debuted in 2011. The series was predominantly set in the United States, though Wales remained part of the show's setting.{{citation needed|date=January 2024}}

''[[The Sarah Jane Adventures]]'', starring [[Elisabeth Sladen]] who reprised her role as investigative journalist Sarah Jane Smith, was developed by [[CBBC]]; a special aired on New Year's Day 2007, and a full series began on 24 September 2007.<ref>{{Cite press release |title=Russell T Davies creates new series for CBBC, starring Doctor Who's Sarah Jane Smith |date=14 September 2006 |publisher=BBC |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/pressoffice/pressreleases/stories/2006/09_september/14/sarah.shtml |access-date=14 September 2006 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201116040152/http://www.bbc.co.uk/pressoffice/pressreleases/stories/2006/9_september/14/sarah.shtml |archive-date=16 November 2020}}</ref> A second series followed in 2008, featuring the return of Brigadier Lethbridge-Stewart.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Martin |first=Daniel |date=1 December 2008 |title=Why is the Brigadier joining Sarah Jane? |url=https://www.theguardian.com/culture/tvandradioblog/2008/dec/01/sarah-jane-dr-who-brigadier |access-date=1 April 2024 |work=[[The Guardian]]|issn=0261-3077}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Wilkes |first=Niel |date=28 September 2008 |title=Preview: Sontaran return in 'Sarah Jane' |url=https://www.digitalspy.com/tv/cult/a131081/preview-sontaran-return-in-sarah-jane/ |access-date=1 April 2024 |website=[[Digital Spy]]}}</ref> A third in 2009 featured a crossover appearance from the main show by David Tennant as the Tenth Doctor.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Holmwood |first=Leigh |date=26 May 2009 |title=Doctor Who's David Tennant to appear in Sarah Jane Adventures |url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2009/may/26/david-tennant-doctor-who |access-date=1 April 2024 |work=[[The Guardian]]|issn=0261-3077}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=McEwan |first=Cameron K. |date=14 October 2009 |title=The Sarah Jane Adventures: Prisoner Of The Judoon Part One review |url=https://www.denofgeek.com/tv/the-sarah-jane-adventures-prisoner-of-the-judoon-part-one-review/ |access-date=1 April 2024 |website=[[Den of Geek]]}}</ref> In 2010, a fourth season featured [[Matt Smith]] as the Eleventh Doctor alongside former companion actress [[Katy Manning]] reprising her role as [[Jo Grant]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Martin |first=Dan |date=27 October 2010 |title=Doctor Who: Matt Smith in The Sarah Jane Adventures |url=https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/tvandradioblog/2010/oct/27/doctor-who-matt-smith-sarah-jane-adventures |access-date=1 April 2024 |work=[[The Guardian]]|issn=0261-3077}}</ref> A final, three-story fifth series was transmitted in autumn 2011&nbsp;– uncompleted due to Sladen's death in early 2011.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ling |first=Thomas |date=19 April 2020 |title=Doctor Who's Russell T Davies announces Sarah Jane Adventures goodbye story |url=https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/sci-fi/doctor-whos-russell-t-davies-announces-sarah-jane-adventures-goodbye-story/ |access-date=1 April 2024 |website=[[Radio Times]]}}</ref>

An animated serial, ''[[The Infinite Quest]]'', aired alongside the 2007 series of ''Doctor Who'' as part of the children's television series ''[[Totally Doctor Who]]''. The serial featured the voices of series regulars David Tennant and [[Freema Agyeman]] but is not considered part of the 2007 series.<ref>{{Cite news |date=26 January 2007 |title=Who's a Toon? |work=BBC Doctor Who website |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b006q2x0 |url-status=live |access-date=26 January 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070202125822/http://www.bbc.co.uk/doctorwho/news/cult/news/drwho/2007/01/26/40315.shtml |archive-date=2 February 2007}}</ref> A second animated serial, ''[[Dreamland (Doctor Who)|Dreamland]]'', aired in six parts on the [[BBC Red Button]] service, and the official ''Doctor Who'' website in 2009.<ref>{{Cite news |date=9 October 2009 |title=Wire star set for Dr Who cartoon |work=BBC News |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/8300002.stm |url-status=live |access-date=6 January 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091012045347/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/8300002.stm |archive-date=12 October 2009}}</ref>

''[[Class (2016 TV series)|Class]]'', featuring students of Coal Hill School, aired online on BBC Three for one series in 2016. It was written by [[Patrick Ness]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=The Doctor Who Team |date=October 2015 |title=BBC Latest News&nbsp;– Doctor Who&nbsp;– Doctor Who Spin Off: Class |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/webarchive/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.bbc.co.uk%2Fblogs%2Fdoctorwho%2Fentries%2F953c5b1f-3cc8-4db9-8184-f1b6567260f1 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191027033906/https://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/doctorwho/entries/953c5b1f-3cc8-4db9-8184-f1b6567260f1 |archive-date=27 October 2019 |access-date=20 December 2019 |website=Doctor Who}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Dowell |first=Ben |date=29 February 2016 |title=Doctor Who spin off Class begins filming in April 2016 and may feature Peter Capaldi |url=http://www.radiotimes.com/news/2016-02-29/doctor-who-spin-off-class-to-start-filming-in-april-with-peter-capaldi-set-to-pop-up-in-new-show |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160301094301/http://www.radiotimes.com/news/2016-02-29/doctor-who-spin-off-class-to-start-filming-in-april-with-peter-capaldi-set-to-pop-up-in-new-show |archive-date=1 March 2016 |access-date=29 February 2016 |publisher=[[RadioTimes]]}}</ref> Peter Capaldi as the Twelfth Doctor appears in the show's first episode.<ref>{{Cite web |title=BBC Three - Class, Series 1, For Tonight We Might Die |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p048h1s0#credits |access-date=2025-03-25 |website=BBC |language=en-GB}}</ref>

On 27 January 2023, [[Russell T Davies]] confirmed via [[GQ]] that future ''Doctor Who'' spin-offs were in the works.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Russell T Davies confirms Doctor Who spin-offs: "Time for the next stage" |url=https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/sci-fi/doctor-who-spin-offs-newsupdate/ |access-date=28 February 2023 |website=Radio Times}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=28 January 2023 |title=Doctor Who boss Russell T Davies confirms return of spin-off shows |url=https://www.digitalspy.com/tv/a42691790/doctor-who-boss-confirms-return-spin-offs/ |access-date=28 February 2023 |website=Digital Spy}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=27 January 2023 |title=Russell T. Davies wants Edgar Wright to direct Doctor Who |url=https://www.gq-magazine.co.uk/culture/article/russell-t-davies-nolly-doctor-who-interview-2023 |access-date=28 February 2023 |website=British GQ}}</ref> At [[San Diego Comic-Con]] in July 2024, Davies confirmed a new spin-off series, ''[[The War Between the Land and the Sea]]'', was in development.<ref name="ign war between">{{cite web|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/doctor-who-spin-off-the-war-between-the-land-and-the-sea-announced-at-san-diego-comic-con|title=Doctor Who Spin-Off The War Between The Land And The Sea Announced at San Diego Comic-Con|last=Colbert|first=Isaiah|date=26 July 2024|accessdate=26 July 2024|work=[[IGN]]}}</ref> Davies wrote the spin-off with [[Pete McTighe]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2024/tv/news/doctor-who-spinoff-the-war-between-the-land-and-the-sea-1236085079/|title='Doctor Who' Spinoff 'The War Between the Land and Sea' Announced, Russell Tovey and Gugu Mbatha-Raw to Star|last=Stephan|first=Katcy|date=26 July 2024|accessdate=26 July 2024|work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]}}</ref> The five-part miniseries was directed by [[Dylan Holmes Williams]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thewrap.com/doctor-who-spinoff-the-war-between-the-land-and-the-sea-disney-plus/|title='Doctor Who' Spin-Off 'The War Between the Land and the Sea' Heads to Disney+|last=Taylor|first=Drew|date=26 July 2024|accessdate=26 July 2024|work=[[The Wrap]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/marcberman1/2024/07/26/doctor-who-news-disney-and-the-bbc-announce-spinoff-the-war-between-the-land-and-the-sea/|title='Doctor Who' News: 'The War Between The Land And The Sea' Spinoff On The Way|last=Berman|first=Marc|date=26 July 2024|accessdate=26 July 2024|work=[[Forbes]]}}</ref> [[Jemma Redgrave]], Alexander Devrient, and [[Ruth Madeley]] returned to reprise their roles from ''Doctor Who'' as [[Kate Lethbridge-Stewart]], Colonel Ibrahim, and Shirley Anne Bingham.<ref>{{cite web |author=<!-- not stated --> |date=23 August 2024 |title=Everything we know so far about Doctor Who spin-off 'The War Between the Land and the Sea' |url=https://www.doctorwho.tv/news-and-features/everything-we-know-so-far-about-doctor-who-spin-off-the-war-between-the-land-and |website=Doctor Who |location= |publisher=[[BBC Studios]] |access-date=21 June 2025 }}</ref> Filming wrapped in December 2024.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://screenrant.com/war-between-land-and-sea-filming-wrap-confirmed-russell-t-davies/|title=Russell T Davies Confirms Doctor Who Spinoff Filming Has Wrapped With BTS Photo|last=Gearan|first=Hannah|date=10 December 2024|accessdate=21 June 2025|work=[[Screen Rant]]}}</ref> The series sees the return of the [[Silurian and Sea Devil|Sea Devils]].<ref name="ign war between"/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/doctor-who-spinoff-disney-bbc-1235959164/|title='Doctor Who' Spinoff Officially Happening at Disney, BBC|last1=Vlessing|first1=Etan|last2=Gajewski|first2=Ryan|date=26 July 2024|accessdate=26 July 2024|work=[[The Hollywood Reporter]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |author=[[Russell T Davies]] |date=1 August 2024 |title=Doctor Who @ San Diego Comic-Con: Full Hall H Panel {{!}} Doctor Who |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HMO03pHxmxM |via=[[YouTube]] |access-date=21 June 2025 |time=15:34 |quote=And so we've got a five-part spin-off called ''The War Between the Land and the Sea'', which is the story of the Sea Devils from ''Doctor Who'', which were creatures from 1972. There's a race that lives beneath the oceans. They wake up and they see the state of the oceans that we have put it in. }}</ref> [[Gugu Mbatha-Raw]] and [[Russell Tovey]], who had previously appeared as other characters in ''Doctor Who'', were respectively cast as a Sea Devil called Salt and a human called Barclay.<ref>{{cite web |author=<!-- not stated --> |date=29 May 2025 |title=Watch the first trailer for Doctor Who spin-off 'The War Between the Land and the Sea' |url=https://www.doctorwho.tv/news-and-features/watch-the-first-trailer-for-doctor-who-spin-off-the-war-between-the-land-and-the |website=Doctor Who |location= |publisher=[[BBC Studios]] |access-date=21 June 2025 }}</ref>

Numerous other spin-off series have been created not by the BBC but by the respective owners of the characters and concepts. Such spin-offs include the novel and audio drama series ''[[Faction Paradox]]'', ''[[Iris Wildthyme]]'' and ''[[Bernice Summerfield]]''; as well as the made-for-video series ''[[P.R.O.B.E.]]''; the Australian-produced television series ''[[K9 (TV series)|K-9]]'', which aired a 26-episode first season on [[Disney XD (United Kingdom and Ireland)|Disney XD]];<ref>{{Cite news |date=25 April 2006 |title=Doctor Who dog K9 gets spin-off |work=BBC News |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/4939144.stm |url-status=live |access-date=26 July 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060613221102/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/4939144.stm |archive-date=13 June 2006}}</ref> and the audio spin-off ''Counter-Measures''.<ref>{{Cite web |date=20 October 2011 |title=New Doctor Who Spin off&nbsp;... Counter-Measures |url=http://bigfinish.com/news/New-Doctor-Who-Spin-off-Counter-Measures |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111022061150/http://www.bigfinish.com/news/New-Doctor-Who-Spin-off-Counter-Measures |archive-date=22 October 2011 |access-date=26 October 2013 |publisher=[[Big Finish Productions]]}}</ref>

===Aftershows===
{{Unreferenced section|date=September 2025}}
When the revived series of ''Doctor Who'' was brought back, an aftershow series was created by the BBC, titled ''[[Doctor Who Confidential]]''. There have been five aftershow series created, with the latest one titled ''[[Doctor Who: Unleashed]]'', which began airing from the 60th anniversary specials. Each series follows behind-the-scenes footage on the making of ''Doctor Who'' through clips and interviews with the cast, production crew and other people, including those who have participated in the television series in some manner. Each episode deals with a different topic, and in most cases refers to the ''Doctor Who'' episode that preceded it.

{{Series overview
| auxA      = ''Doctor Who'' series
| infoA     = Narrator / Presenter
| linkT1    = ''[[Doctor Who Confidential]]''

| auxA1     = 1–6
| episodes1 = 87
| released1 = {{Start and end dates|2005|5|26|2011|10|1|df=y}}
| infoA1    = {{Ubl|list_style=text-align:center|Simon Pegg (2005)|Mark Gatiss (2005–2006)|Anthony Head (2006–2010)|Noel Clarke (2009)|Alex Price (2010)|Russell Tovey (2010–2011)}}

| linkT2    = ''[[Doctor Who Extra]]''
| auxA2     = {{Ubl|list_style=text-align:center|8–9|2015–16 specials}}
| episodes2 = 24
| released2 = {{Start and end dates|2014|8|23|2015|12|5|df=y}}
| infoA2    = {{Ubl|list_style=text-align:center|Matt Botten|Rufus Hound|Matt Lucas|Charity Wakefield}}

| linkT3    = ''[[Doctor Who: The Fan Show]]''
| auxA3     = 10
| episodes3 = 18
| released3 = {{Start and end dates|2015|6|8|2018|8|3|df=y}}
| infoA3    = {{Ubl|list_style=text-align:center|Christel Dee (main host)|Luke Spillane (co-host)}}

| linkT4    = ''[[Doctor Who Access All Areas]]''
| auxA4     = 10
| episodes4 = 11
| released4 = {{Start and end dates|2018|10|13|2018|12|13|df=y}}
| infoA4    = {{Ubl|list_style=text-align:center|Yinka Bokinni}}

| linkT5    = ''[[Doctor Who: Unleashed]]''
| auxA5     = {{Ubl|list_style=text-align:center|2023 specials|14–15}}
| episodes5 = {{tmpv|Doctor Who: Unleashed|Infobox television||num_episodes}}<!--Automatically updates with the article's infobox value-->
| released5 = {{Start and end dates|2023|11|17|present|df=y}}
| infoA5    = {{Ubl|list_style=text-align:center|Steffan Powell}}
}}

===Charity episodes and appearances===
In 1983, coinciding with the series' 20th anniversary, "[[The Five Doctors]]" was shown as part of the annual BBC ''[[Children in Need]]'' Appeal, however it was not a charity-based production, simply scheduled within the line-up of Friday 25 November 1983. This was the programme's first co-production with Australian broadcaster [[Australian Broadcasting Corporation|ABC]].<ref>{{Cite AV media notes |title=The Five Doctors |title-link=The Five Doctors |year=1985 |type=Cover |publisher=BBC |id=BBC 2020 2}}</ref> At 90 minutes long it was the longest single episode of ''Doctor Who'' produced to date. It featured three of the first five Doctors, a new actor to replace the deceased William Hartnell, and unused footage to represent Tom Baker.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Five Doctors Serial 6K |url=http://www.drwhoguide.com/who_6k.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131029202002/http://www.drwhoguide.com/who_6k.htm |archive-date=29 October 2013 |access-date=24 October 2013 |publisher=drwhoguide.com}}</ref>

In 1993, for the franchise's 30th anniversary, another charity special, ''[[Dimensions in Time]]'', was produced for ''Children in Need'', featuring all the surviving actors who played the Doctor and a number of previous companions. It also featured a crossover with the soap opera ''[[EastEnders]]'', the action taking place in the latter's [[Albert Square]] location and around [[Greenwich]]. The special was one of several special 3D programmes the BBC produced at the time, using a 3D system that made use of the [[Pulfrich effect]], requiring glasses with one darkened lens; the picture would look normal to those viewers who watched without the glasses.{{citation needed|date=January 2024}}

[[File:"Paddington Who", Paddington Bear, Royal Observatory - geograph.org.uk - 4282486.jpg|thumb|upright|''Doctor Who''-themed [[Paddington Bear]] statue at the Royal Observatory, [[London]], in 2014. Designed by the twelfth Doctor [[Peter Capaldi]], it was auctioned for the  [[National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children]] (NSPCC).]]
In 1999, another special, ''[[Doctor Who and the Curse of Fatal Death]]'', was made for [[Comic Relief]] and later released on VHS. An affectionate [[parody]] of the television series, it was split into four segments, mimicking the traditional serial format, complete with [[cliffhanger]]s, and running down the same corridor several times when being chased (the version released on video was split into only two episodes).{{citation needed|date=February 2024}} In the story, the Doctor ([[Rowan Atkinson]]) encounters both [[Master (Doctor Who)|the Master]] ([[Jonathan Pryce]]) and the [[Dalek]]s. During the special, the Doctor is forced to regenerate several times, with his subsequent incarnations played by, in order, [[Richard E. Grant]], [[Jim Broadbent]], [[Hugh Grant]], and [[Joanna Lumley]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Whitbrook |first=James |date=22 March 2022 |title=We've Already Had Enough of Hugh Grant as Doctor Who's Doctor |url=https://gizmodo.com/hugh-grant-doctor-who-casting-curse-of-fatal-death-1848688997 |access-date=11 February 2024 |website=Gizmodo}}</ref> The script was written by [[Steven Moffat]], later to be head writer and executive producer of the revived series.<ref>{{Cite news |date=20 May 2008 |title=Doctor Who guru Davies steps down |work=BBC News |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/7411177.stm |url-status=live |access-date=20 May 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090215163911/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/7411177.stm |archive-date=15 February 2009}}</ref>

Since the return of ''Doctor Who'' in 2005, the franchise has produced four original "mini-episodes" to support Children in Need. The first, which aired in November 2005, was an [[Doctor Who: Children in Need|untitled seven-minute scene]] introducing [[David Tennant]] as the [[Tenth Doctor]]. It was followed in November 2007 by "[[Time Crash]]", a 7-minute scene that featured the Tenth Doctor meeting the [[Fifth Doctor]], [[Peter Davison]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Who Needs Another Doctor? |work=BBC News |date=21 November 2007|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/doctorwho/news/cult/news/drwho/2007/10/21/50016.shtml |access-date=21 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071025112220/http://www.bbc.co.uk/doctorwho/news/cult/news/drwho/2007/10/21/50016.shtml |archive-date=25 October 2007 |url-status=dead }}</ref> ''[[Children in Need 2012]]'' featured the mini-episode "[[The Great Detective (Doctor Who)|The Great Detective]]".<ref>{{Cite web |date=20 November 2012 |title=Doctor Who Mini Episode |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p011h3sb |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201116040155/https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p011h3sb |archive-date=16 November 2020 |access-date=18 December 2012 |publisher=BBC |format=Video}}</ref> ''Children in Need 2023'' featured the mini-episode "[[Destination: Skaro]]",<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p0gsddbs|title=Doctor Who Children in Need Special 2023|date=17 November 2023|accessdate=22 May 2025|work=[[BBC]]|archive-date=18 November 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231118005915/https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p0gsddbs|url-status=live}}</ref> which served as the introduction of David Tennant as the [[Fourteenth Doctor]].

A set of two mini-episodes, titled [[Space and Time (Doctor Who)|"Space" and "Time"]] respectively, were produced to support [[Comic Relief]]. They were aired during the [[Comic Relief#2011 event|Comic Relief 2011 event]].<ref name="comic relief 2011"/> During ''[[Children in Need 2011]]'', an exclusively filmed segment showed the Doctor addressing the viewer, attempting to persuade them to purchase items of his clothing, which were going up for auction for Children in Need.  In 2014, the [[Twelfth Doctor]] [[Peter Capaldi]] designed a ''Doctor Who''-themed [[Paddington Bear]] statue, which was located at the [[Royal Observatory, Greenwich|Royal Observatory]] in Greenwich (one of 50 placed around London), which was auctioned to raise funds for the [[National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children]] (NSPCC).<ref>{{cite news |title=Why Paddington Bear Statues Have Taken Over London |url=https://www.cntraveler.com/galleries/2014-11-24/paddington-bear-statues-taken-over-london-david-beckham-benedict-cumberbatch |access-date=25 November 2023|work=Condé Nast}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=50 Paddington Bear sculptures unveiled in London – gallery |url=https://www.theguardian.com/childrens-books-site/gallery/2014/nov/03/paddington-bear-trail-sculptures-celebrities |date=3 November 2014 |access-date=25 November 2023 |work=The Guardian}}</ref>

===Spoofs and cultural references===
{{Main|Doctor Who spoofs{{!}}''Doctor Who'' spoofs}}

''Doctor Who'' has been satirised and spoofed on many occasions by comedians including [[Spike Milligan]] (a Dalek invades his bathroom—Milligan, naked, hurls a soap sponge at it) and [[Lenny Henry]]. [[Jon Culshaw]] frequently impersonates the Fourth Doctor in the BBC ''[[Dead Ringers (series)|Dead Ringers]]'' series.<ref>{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=35uYgSYXtfA |title=Dead Ringers meets Doctor Who&nbsp;– Comedy Greats&nbsp;– BBC |publisher=BBC |year=2005 |time=0:00–1:30 |access-date=12 November 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151223080400/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=35uYgSYXtfA |archive-date=23 December 2015 |url-status=live |people=Mark Perry, Kevin Connelly and Phil Cornwell}}</ref> [[Doctor Who fandom|''Doctor Who'' fandom]] has also been lampooned on programs such as ''[[Saturday Night Live]]'', ''[[The Chaser's War on Everything]]'', ''[[Mystery Science Theater 3000]]'', ''[[Family Guy]]'', ''[[American Dad!]]'', ''[[Futurama]]'', ''[[South Park]]'',
''[[Community (TV series)|Community]]'' as Inspector Spacetime, ''[[The Simpsons]]'' and ''[[The Big Bang Theory]]''.{{citation needed|date=January 2024}} As part of the 50th-anniversary programmes, former [[Fifth Doctor]] Peter Davison directed, wrote, and co-starred in the parody ''[[The Five(ish) Doctors Reboot]]'', which also starred two other former Doctors, Colin Baker and Sylvester McCoy, and had cameo appearances from cast and crew involved in the programme, including showrunner [[Steven Moffat]] and Doctors Paul McGann, David Tennant, and Matt Smith.<ref>"The Five(ish) Doctors Reboot", BBC. Retrieved 23 November 2013</ref>

There have also been many references to ''Doctor Who'' in popular culture and other science fiction, including ''[[Star Trek: The Next Generation]]'' ("[[The Neutral Zone (Star Trek: The Next Generation)|The Neutral Zone]]")<ref>{{Cite news |date=23 April 2012 |title=Random Doctor Who References in American TV Shows |newspaper=Arcadia Pod |url=http://anamericanviewofbritishsciencefiction.com/2012/04/23/random-doctor-who-references-in-american-tv-shows/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130817142304/http://anamericanviewofbritishsciencefiction.com/2012/04/23/random-doctor-who-references-in-american-tv-shows/ |archive-date=17 August 2013 |access-date=27 August 2013 |publisher=An American View of British Science Fiction}}</ref> and ''[[Leverage (American TV series)|Leverage]]''. In the [[Channel 4]] series ''[[Queer as Folk (British TV series)|Queer as Folk]]'' (created by later ''Doctor Who'' executive producer Russell T Davies), the character of Vince was portrayed as an avid ''Doctor Who'' fan, with references appearing many times throughout in the form of clips from the programme. In a similar manner, the character of Oliver on ''[[Coupling (British TV series)|Coupling]]'' (created and written by later ''Doctor Who'' executive producer Steven Moffat) is portrayed as a ''Doctor Who'' collector and enthusiast. References to ''Doctor Who'' have also appeared in the young adult fantasy novels ''[[Brisingr]]''<ref>{{Cite book |last=Paolini |first=Christopher |title=Brisingr (Hardcover) |date=20 September 2008 |publisher=[[Alfred A. Knopf]] |isbn=978-0-375-82672-6 |edition=1st |location=New York |pages=[https://archive.org/details/brisingrorsevenp00paol/page/204 204, 761] |chapter=Shadows of the Past |quote='Bending over, Eragon read, ''Adrift upon the sea of time, the lonely god wanders from shore to distant shore, upholding the laws of the stars above.''{{'}} and in acknowledgments 'Also, for those who understood the reference to a 'lonely god' when Eragon and Arya sitting around the campfire, my only excuse is that the Doctor can travel everywhere, even alternate realities. Hey, I'm a fan too!' |author-link=Christopher Paolini |chapter-url=https://archive.org/details/brisingrorsevenp00paol/page/204}}</ref> and ''[[High Wizardry]]'',<ref>{{Cite web |date=25 March 2005 |title=Man in the Bar, the |url=http://www.youngwizards.com/ErrantryWiki/index.php/Man_In_The_Bar%2C_the |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060516110815/http://www.youngwizards.com/ErrantryWiki/index.php/Man_In_The_Bar%2C_the |archive-date=16 May 2006 |access-date=5 July 2007 |website=The Errantry Concordance |publisher=[[Diane Duane]]}}</ref> the video game ''[[Rock Band (video game)|Rock Band]]'',{{citation needed|date=May 2024}} the [[Adult Swim]] comedy show ''[[Robot Chicken]]'', the ''Family Guy'' episodes "[[Blue Harvest]]" and "[[420 (Family Guy)|420]]", and the game ''[[RuneScape]]''. It has also been referenced in ''[[Destroy All Humans! 2]]'', by civilians in the game's variation of England,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Destroy All Humans! 2 |url=http://www.vgfacts.com/game/destroyallhumans2/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201116040410/https://www.vgfacts.com/game/destroyallhumans2/ |archive-date=16 November 2020 |access-date=21 March 2016 |website=vgfacts.com}}</ref> and multiple times throughout the ''[[Ace Attorney]]'' series.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Apollo Justice: Ace Attorney |url=http://www.vgfacts.com/game/apollojusticeaceattorney/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160311152016/http://www.vgfacts.com/game/apollojusticeaceattorney/ |archive-date=11 March 2016 |access-date=21 March 2016 |website=vgfacts.com}}</ref> It has been featured in ''[[Good Omens (TV series)|Good Omens]]'' through the first ''Doctor Who Annual''.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Good Omens Star David Tennant Addresses Show's Doctor Who Reference (Exclusive) |url=https://comicbook.com/tv-shows/news/good-omens-star-david-tennant-addresses-shows-doctor-who-reference-exclusive/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240704044636/https://comicbook.com/tv-shows/news/good-omens-star-david-tennant-addresses-shows-doctor-who-reference-exclusive/ |archive-date=4 July 2024 |access-date=17 July 2024 |website=TV Shows |date=29 July 2023 |language=en}}</ref>

''Doctor Who'' has been a reference in several political cartoons, from a 1964 cartoon in the ''[[Daily Mail]]'' depicting [[Charles de Gaulle]] as a Dalek<ref>{{Cite news |last=Illingsworth |first=Leslie Gilbert |date=25 November 1964 |title=The Degaullek (France's leader, General De Gaulle, is caricatured as a Dalek) |work=Daily Mail |location=London |format=Reprint at the British Cartoon Archive |url=http://www.cartoons.ac.uk/record/06435 |url-status=live |access-date=15 March 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110716062417/http://www.cartoons.ac.uk/record/06435 |archive-date=16 July 2011}}</ref> to a 2008 edition of ''[[This Modern World]]'' by [[Tom Tomorrow]] in which the Tenth Doctor informs an incredulous character from 2003 that the [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic Party]] will nominate [[Barack Obama|an African-American]] as its presidential candidate.<ref>{{Cite web |date=10 June 2008 |title=This Modern World |url=https://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/06/10/doctor-who-in-this-modern-world/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140315113407/https://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/06/10/doctor-who-in-this-modern-world/ |archive-date=15 March 2014 |access-date=15 March 2014 |website=The Week that Was |publisher=[[Tom Tomorrow]]}}</ref>

The word "TARDIS" is an entry in the ''[[Shorter Oxford English Dictionary]].''<ref>{{Cite web |date=5 September 2002 |title=The essence of the ''Oxford English Dictionary'' |url=http://www.askoxford.com/worldofwords/wordfrom/shorter/?view=uk |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080510202311/http://www.askoxford.com/worldofwords/wordfrom/shorter/?view=uk |archive-date=10 May 2008 |access-date=15 May 2009}}</ref>

===Audio===
{{See also|List of Doctor Who audio releases{{!}}List of ''Doctor Who'' audio releases|List of Doctor Who audiobooks{{!}}List of ''Doctor Who'' audiobooks|List of Doctor Who: The Classic Series audio plays by Big Finish{{!}}List of ''Doctor Who: The Classic Series'' audio plays by Big Finish|List of Doctor Who: The New Series audio plays by Big Finish{{!}}List of ''Doctor Who: The New Series'' audio plays by Big Finish}}

The earliest ''Doctor Who''–related audio release was a 21-minute narrated abridgement of the First Doctor television story ''[[The Chase (Doctor Who)|The Chase]]'' released in 1966.  Ten years later, the first original Doctor Who audio was released on [[LP record]]; ''[[Doctor Who and the Pescatons]]'' featuring the Fourth Doctor.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Doctor Who – Doctor Who & The Pescatons/Doctor Who Sound Affects ''[sic]'' |url=http://recordstoreday.co.uk/exclusive-releases/rsd-2017/doctor-who/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180807095122/https://recordstoreday.co.uk/exclusive-releases/rsd-2017/doctor-who/ |archive-date=7 August 2018 |access-date=6 March 2021 |website=[[Record Store Day]]}}</ref> The first commercially available audiobook was an abridged reading of the Fourth Doctor story ''[[State of Decay (Doctor Who)|State of Decay]]'' in 1981. In 1985, during a hiatus in the television show, ''[[Slipback]]'', the first radio drama, was transmitted.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Genesis of the Daleks & Slipback |url=http://www.timelash.com/tardis/display.asp?1 |access-date=6 March 2021 |publisher=Timelash – The TARDIS Library}}</ref>

Since the late 1990s, [[Big Finish Productions]] have produced audio plays based on Doctor Who and its spinoffs.<ref name="WildernessY">{{Cite web |last=O'Brien |first=Steve |date=23 November 2023 |title=Doctor Who's wilderness years: How fans kept the flame alive after it was cancelled in 1989 |url=https://uk.news.yahoo.com/doctor-whos-wilderness-years-cancelled-1989-092337657.html |access-date=13 May 2024 |website=[[Yahoo! Entertainment]]}}</ref>  [[Tom Baker]], [[Peter Davison]], [[Colin Baker]], [[Sylvester McCoy]], [[Paul McGann]], [[Christopher Eccleston]], [[David Tennant]], [[John Hurt]], [[Jodie Whittaker]] and [[Jo Martin]] have reprised their role as The Doctor in these dramas, as have many of the companions and regular supporting actors from the programmes history.{{efn|Jon Pertwee's voice is featured posthumously in the 40th-anniversary story Zagreus}} The main range, ''[[Doctor Who: The Monthly Adventures]]'', holds the ''[[Guinness World Record]]'' for the longest-running science fiction audio play series.<ref>{{Cite web |date=20 April 2021 |title=Longest running science fiction audio play series |url=https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/652735-longest-running-science-fiction-audio-play-series |access-date=17 May 2021 |website=Guinness World Records}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/sci-fi/doctor-who-monthly-adventures-guinness-world-records-newsupdate/ |title=Doctor Who monthly audio range from Big Finish lands Guinness World Records title |last=Cremona |first=Patrick |work=[[Radio Times]] |date=26 April 2021 |accessdate=23 May 2024 }}</ref> In 2020 Big Finish revealed that ''The Monthly Adventures'' would come to an end in favour of individual box sets.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Doctor Who Relaunch Plans Revealed by Big Finish |url=https://comicbook.com/tv-shows/news/doctor-who-big-finish-relaunch-2022/ |access-date=30 January 2024 |website=TV Shows|date=29 May 2021 }}</ref>

In 2022, [[BBC Sounds]] began airing ''Doctor Who: Redacted'', a podcast written by [[Juno Dawson]] and starring [[Charlie Craggs]] and Jodie Whittaker. The podcast focuses on a trio of friends who host a paranormal conspiracy podcast, "The Blue Box Files", and end up getting involved in much more than they expected.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Hogan |first=Micahel |date=29 April 2022 |title='Very gay, very trans': the incredible Doctor Who spin-off that's breathing new life into the franchise |work=[[The Guardian]] |url=https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2022/apr/29/doctor-who-redacted-transgender-podcast |access-date=20 May 2022}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Fullerton |first=Huw |date=8 April 2022 |title=Jodie Whittaker to star in new Doctor Who audio drama spin-off |url=https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/sci-fi/jodie-whittaker-doctor-who-redacted-audio-drama-newsupdate/ |access-date=20 May 2022 |website=RadioTimes}}</ref> The podcast was later renewed for a second series.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Weiss |first=Josh |date=8 April 2022 |title=Brilliant! Jodie Whittaker back for more Time Lord hijinks in podcast spinoff 'Doctor Who: Redacted' |url=https://www.syfy.com/syfy-wire/jodie-whittaker-doctor-who-redacted-podcast |access-date=14 May 2024 |website=[[SyFy]] |language=en-US}}</ref>{{verification failed|date=June 2025}}

===Books===
{{See also|List of Doctor Who novelisations{{!}}List of ''Doctor Who'' novelisations|List of Doctor Who anthologies (2009–present){{!}}List of ''Doctor Who'' anthologies (2009–present)|Eighth Doctor Adventures{{!}}''Eighth Doctor Adventures''|Past Doctor Adventures{{!}}''Past Doctor Adventures''|New Series Adventures{{!}}''New Series Adventures''}}

''Doctor Who'' books have been published since 1964. Until 1991 the books published were primarily novelised adaptations of broadcast episodes;{{efn|Various scripts that were written but not broadcast had also been novelised from 1989–2019 starting with ''[[The Nightmare Fair]]'' in 1989.}} beginning in 1991 an extensive line of original fiction was launched, the [[Virgin New Adventures]] and [[Virgin Missing Adventures]]. Since the relaunch of the programme in 2005, a new range of novels has been published by [[BBC Books]], followed by further novelisations from 2018 after the original run by [[Target Books]] ended in 1994.{{efn|Individual novelisations of the 1996 TV movie ''[[Doctor Who (film)|Doctor Who]]'' and the serials ''[[City of Death]]'' (1979) and ''[[The Pirate Planet]]'' (1978) were printed in the interim, but not as part of a regular range nor under the Target Books imprint. Reworked paperback versions of these three books became part of the Target collection in 2018–2021.}} Numerous non-fiction books about the series, including guidebooks and critical studies, have also been published,{{citation needed|date=January 2024}} and a dedicated ''[[Doctor Who Magazine]]'' (''DWM'') with newsstand circulation has been published regularly since 1979: ''DWM'' is recognised by ''[[Guinness World Records]]'' as the longest running TV tie-in magazine, celebrating 40 years of continuous publication on 11 October 2019.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/news/2013/11/doctor-who-50th-anniversary-the-time-lord's-world-records-53100|title=Doctor Who 50th anniversary: The Time Lord's world records|work=Guinness World Records|date=22 November 2013 |access-date=16 April 2023}}</ref> [[Panini Comics|Panini]] has published the magazine since the 1990s. In 2006, ''[[Doctor Who Adventures]]'', a magazine for younger fans, was launched by [[BBC Magazines]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/doctorwho/news/cult/news/drwho/2006/03/29/30790.shtml|  title=''Doctor Who Adventures'' |work=BBC - Doctor Who |date=29 March 2006 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070828233555/https://www.bbc.co.uk/doctorwho/news/cult/news/drwho/2006/03/29/30790.shtml |archive-date=28 August 2007 |access-date=30 June 2025}}</ref>

===Video games===
{{See also|List of Doctor Who video games{{!}}List of ''Doctor Who'' video games}}

Numerous ''Doctor Who'' [[video games]] have been created since the mid-1980s. A ''Doctor Who'' game was planned for the [[Sega Mega Drive]] but never released.<ref>{{Cite magazine |date=August 1994 |title=News: Diddly-Dum, De Diddly-Dum... |url=https://archive.org/stream/mean-machines-sega-magazine-22#page/n10/mode/2up |magazine=[[Mean Machines Sega]] |publisher=[[EMAP]] |issue=21 |pages=10–11}}</ref> One of the recent ones is a [[match-3]] game released in November 2013 for [[iOS]], [[Android (operating system)|Android]], Amazon App Store and [[Facebook]] called ''[[Doctor Who: Legacy]]''. It has been constantly updated since its release and features all the Doctors as playable characters as well as over 100 companions.<ref>[http://toucharcade.com/2015/02/17/doctor-who-legacy-keeps-getting-updated-as-10th-anniversary-of-dr-who-show-approaches/ 'Doctor Who: Legacy' Keeps Getting Updated as 10th Anniversary of 'Dr. Who' Show Approaches] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150219202531/http://toucharcade.com/2015/02/17/doctor-who-legacy-keeps-getting-updated-as-10th-anniversary-of-dr-who-show-approaches/ |date=19 February 2015 }}. Retrieved 26 February 2015.</ref>

Another video game instalment is [[Lego Dimensions]] – in which Doctor Who is one of the many "Level Packs" in the game. The pack contains the Twelfth Doctor (who can reincarnate into the others), K9, the TARDIS and a Victorian London adventure level area. The game and pack released in November 2015.<ref>{{Cite news |date=9 July 2015 |title=All the Doctor Whos are in Lego Dimensions|work=Eurogamer.net |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/all-the-doctor-whos-are-in-lego-dimensions |access-date=27 September 2023}}</ref>

''Doctor Who: Battle of Time'' was a digital collectible card game developed by [[Bandai Namco Entertainment]] and released for iOS and Android.<ref>{{Cite web |last=TGT |date=10 August 2018 |title=Bandai Namco soft launches Doctor Who: Battle of Time |url=https://www.thegallifreytimes.com/news/bandai-namco-soft-launches-doctor-who/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210823134831/https://www.thegallifreytimes.com/news/bandai-namco-soft-launches-doctor-who/ |archive-date=23 August 2021 |access-date=22 August 2021 |publisher=thegallifreytimes.com}}</ref> It was soft-launched on 30 May 2018 in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Thailand, but was shut down on 26 November of that same year.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Harris |first=Iain |date=8 November 2018 |title=Bandai Namco shuts down soft-launched title Doctor Who: Battle of Time |url=https://www.pocketgamer.biz/asia/news/69427/bandai-namco-shut-down-soft-launched-doctor-who-game/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210823134522/https://www.pocketgamer.biz/asia/news/69427/bandai-namco-shut-down-soft-launched-doctor-who-game/ |archive-date=23 August 2021 |access-date=22 August 2021 |publisher=[[Pocket Gamer]]}}</ref>

''Doctor Who Infinity'' was released on [[Steam (service)|Steam]] on 7 August 2018.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Doctor Who Infinity on Steam |url=https://store.steampowered.com/app/725370/Doctor_Who_Infinity/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180922211749/https://store.steampowered.com/app/725370/Doctor_Who_Infinity/ |archive-date=22 September 2018 |access-date=25 April 2019 |website=STEAM Store}}</ref> It was nominated for "Best Start-up" at [[The Independent Game Developers' Association]] Awards 2018.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Stephenson |first=Suzi |date=19 September 2018 |title=TIGA Announces Games Industry Awards 2018 Finalists |url=https://tiga.org/news/tiga-announces-games-industry-awards-2018-finalists |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190425140519/https://tiga.org/news/tiga-announces-games-industry-awards-2018-finalists |archive-date=25 April 2019 |access-date=25 April 2019 |website=TIGA |publisher=[[Independent Games Developers Association]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=2018 Winners |url=https://tiga.org/awards/2018-winners |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190425143701/https://tiga.org/awards/2018-winners |archive-date=25 April 2019 |access-date=25 April 2019 |website=TIGA |publisher=[[Independent Games Developers Association]]}}</ref>

==Chronology and canonicity==
Since the creation of the ''Doctor Who'' character by BBC Television in the early 1960s, a myriad of stories have been published about ''Doctor Who'', in different media: apart from the actual television episodes that continue to be produced by the BBC, there have also been novels, comics, short stories, audio books, radio plays, interactive video games, game books, webcasts, DVD extras, and stage performances. The BBC takes no position on the [[Canon (fiction)|canonicity]] of any of such stories, and producers of the show have expressed distaste for the idea of canonicity.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Davies |first=Russell T. |date=March 2014 |title=Doctor Who Magazine |issue=356}}</ref>{{page needed|date=October 2025}}

==Awards==
{{main|List of awards and nominations received by Doctor Who{{!}}List of awards and nominations received by ''Doctor Who''}}

The show has received [[List of awards and nominations received by Doctor Who|recognition]] as one of Britain's finest television programmes, winning the 2006 [[British Academy Television Award for Best Drama Series]] and five consecutive (2005–2010) awards at the [[National Television Awards]] during [[Russell T Davies]]' tenure as executive producer.<ref>{{Cite news |date=21 January 2010 |title=Doctor Who scoops two TV awards |work=News |publisher=BBC |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/8471232.stm |url-status=live |access-date=1 April 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201116040301/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/8471232.stm |archive-date=16 November 2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Sperling, Daniel |date=26 January 2011 |title=National Television Awards 2011&nbsp;– Winners |url=https://www.digitalspy.com/tv/a300378/national-television-awards-2011-winners/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121201192132/http://www.digitalspy.com/british-tv/news/a300378/national-television-awards-2011-winners.html |archive-date=1 December 2012 |access-date=8 February 2022 |website=[[Digital Spy]]}}</ref> In 2011, [[Matt Smith]] became the first Doctor to be nominated for a [[British Academy Television Award for Best Actor|BAFTA Television Award for Best Actor]],<ref>{{Cite web |date=26 April 2011 |title=Ratings-winners dominate the Bafta shortlist |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/media/tv-radio/ratingswinners-dominate-the-bafta-shortlist-2275173.html |access-date=5 January 2024 |website=The Independent}}</ref> and in 2016, [[Michelle Gomez]] became the first woman to receive a BAFTA nomination for the series, getting a [[British Academy Television Award for Best Supporting Actress|Best Supporting Actress]] nomination for her work as [[The Master (Doctor Who)#Missy|Missy]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=2016 Television Supporting Actress {{!}} BAFTA Awards |url=https://awards.bafta.org/award/2016/television/supporting-actress |access-date=5 January 2024 |website=awards.bafta.org}}</ref>

[[File:Matt Smith , Jenna Louise Coleman and Steven Moffat at the 72nd Annual Peabody Awards.jpg|thumb|upright|[[Matt Smith]], [[Jenna-Louise Coleman]] and [[Steven Moffat]] accepting a [[Peabody Award]] for ''Doctor Who'' in 2013]]

In 2013, the [[Peabody Award]]s honoured ''Doctor Who'' with an Institutional Peabody "for evolving with technology and the times like nothing else in the known television universe."<ref>[http://www.peabodyawards.com/award-profile/institutional-award-doctor-who 72nd Annual Peabody Awards] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140913014108/http://www.peabodyawards.com/award-profile/institutional-award-doctor-who |date=13 September 2014 }}, May 2013.</ref> The programme is listed in ''[[Guinness World Records]]'' as the longest-running science-fiction television show in the world,<ref>{{Cite news |date=28 September 2006 |title=Dr Who 'longest-running sci-fi' |work=BBC News |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/5390372.stm |url-status=live |access-date=30 September 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120525115004/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/5390372.stm |archive-date=25 May 2012}}</ref> as the "most successful" science-fiction series of all time—based on its overall broadcast ratings, [[DVD]] and book sales, and [[iTunes]] traffic<ref name="Miller" />—and for the largest ever simulcast of a TV drama with its [[The Day of the Doctor|50th-anniversary special]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=24 November 2013 |title=Guinness World Record for The Day of the Doctor |work=Doctor Who |url=http://www.doctorwho.tv/whats-new/article/guinness-world-record-for-the-day-of-the-doctor |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201116040443/https://www.doctorwho.tv/news/?article=guinness-world-record-for-the-day-of-the-doctor |archive-date=16 November 2020 |access-date=24 November 2013 |publisher=BBC}}</ref>

In 1975, [[Doctor Who season 11|Season 11]] of the series won a [[Writers' Guild of Great Britain]] award for Best Writing in a Children's Serial. In 1996, BBC television held the "Auntie Awards" as the culmination of their "TV60" series, celebrating 60 years of BBC television broadcasting, where ''Doctor Who'' was voted as the "Best Popular Drama" the corporation had ever produced, ahead of such ratings heavyweights as ''[[EastEnders]]'' and ''[[Casualty (TV series)|Casualty]]''.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Culf |first=Andrew |date=4 November 1996 |title=Viewers spurn TV's golden age in poll of small screen classics as the BBC fetes its 60th birthday |page=4 |work=The Guardian}}</ref> In 2000, ''Doctor Who'' was ranked third in a list of the [[100 Greatest British Television Programmes]] of the 20th century, produced by the [[British Film Institute]] and voted on by industry professionals.<ref>{{Cite news |date=5 September 2000 |title=Fawlty Towers tops TV hits |work=BBC News |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/911085.stm |url-status=live |access-date=18 March 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060621143654/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/911085.stm |archive-date=21 June 2006}}</ref> In 2005, the series came first in a survey by [[SFX magazine|''SFX'' magazine]] of "The Greatest UK Science Fiction and Fantasy Television Series Ever". In [[Channel 4]]'s 2001 list of the 100 Greatest Kids' TV shows, ''Doctor Who'' was placed at number nine.<ref>{{Cite web |title=100 Greatest ... (The 100 Greatest Kids TV Shows) |url=http://www.itnsource.com/en/shotlist/ITVProgs/2001/08/27/Y22530001/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150221232148/http://www.itnsource.com/en/shotlist/ITVProgs/2001/08/27/Y22530001/ |archive-date=21 February 2015 |access-date=13 June 2014 |publisher=[[ITN Source]]}}</ref> In 2004 and 2007, ''Doctor Who'' was ranked number 18 and number 22 on [[TV Guide]]'s Top Cult Shows Ever.<ref>{{Cite news |date=30 May 2004 |title=25 Top Cult Shows Ever! |work=TV Guide}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=29 June 2007 |title=TV Guide Names the Top Cult Shows Ever |url=https://www.tvguide.com/news/top-cult-shows-40239/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190507142236/https://www.tvguide.com/news/top-cult-shows-40239/ |archive-date=7 May 2019 |access-date=21 June 2019 |website=TV Guide |publisher=[[Red Ventures]]}}</ref> In 2013, TV Guide ranked it as the sixth-best sci-fi show.<ref>{{Cite news |date=16–22 September 2013 |title=TV Guide Magazine}}</ref>

The revived series has received recognition from critics and the public, across various awards ceremonies. It won eight [[BAFTA TV Award]]s, including Best Drama Series, the highest-profile and most prestigious British television award for which the series has ever been nominated.<ref>{{Cite news |date=22 April 2006 |title=Doctor leads Bafta Cymru winners |work=BBC News |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/wales/4934216.stm |url-status=live |access-date=24 April 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070105164822/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/4934216.stm |archive-date=5 January 2007}}</ref> It was very popular at the [[BAFTA Cymru Awards]], with 33 wins overall including Best Drama Series (twice), Best Screenplay/Screenwriter (three times) and Best Actor (twice).<ref>{{Cite news |date=12 May 2008 |title=Bafta glory for Channel 4's Boy A |work=BBC News |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/7395593.stm |url-status=live |access-date=13 May 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080517174026/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/7395593.stm |archive-date=17 May 2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |author=<!-- not stated --> |date= |title=BAFTA Cymru Awards 2024 Results |url=https://www.bafta.org/awards/cymru/?award-year=2024 |website=[[BAFTA]] |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250413220817/https://www.bafta.org/awards/cymru/?award-year=2024 |archive-date=13 April 2025 |access-date=25 June 2025}}</ref> It was also nominated for 7 [[Saturn Award]]s, winning the only [[Saturn Award for Best International Series|Best International Series]] in the ceremony's history. In 2009, ''Doctor Who'' was voted the 3rd greatest show of the 2000s by Channel 4, behind ''[[Top Gear (2002 TV series)|Top Gear]]'' and ''[[The Apprentice (British TV series)|The Apprentice]]''. The episode "[[Vincent and the Doctor]]" was [[shortlisted]] for a Mind Award at the 2010 Mind Mental Health Media Awards for its "touching" portrayal of [[Vincent van Gogh]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Winners announced |url=http://www.mhmawards.org.uk/shortlist.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101123050254/http://www.mhmawards.org.uk/shortlist.html |archive-date=23 November 2010 |access-date=4 May 2011 |publisher=[[Mind (charity)|Mind]] |quote=Dr Who&nbsp;– "Vincent and the Doctor" (BBC One/BBC Wales). [[Richard Curtis]] writes this touching episode of ''Dr Who'' about the mental health experiences of the great artist Vincent van Gogh.}}</ref>

It has won the Short Form of the [[Hugo Award for Best Dramatic Presentation, Short Form|Hugo Award for Best Dramatic Presentation]], the oldest science fiction/fantasy award for films and series, six times since 2006. The winning episodes were "[[The Empty Child]]"/"[[The Doctor Dances]]" (2006), "[[The Girl in the Fireplace]]" (2007), "[[Blink (Doctor Who)|Blink]]" (2008), "[[The Waters of Mars]]" (2010), "[[The Pandorica Opens]]"/"[[The Big Bang (Doctor Who)|The Big Bang]]" (2011), and "[[The Doctor's Wife]]" (2012).<ref>{{Cite web |date=26 August 2006 |title=Hugo and Campbell Awards Winners |url=http://www.locusmag.com/2006/News/08_HugoCampbellWinners.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060903090237/http://www.locusmag.com/2006/News/08_HugoCampbellWinners.html |archive-date=3 September 2006 |access-date=27 August 2006 |website=[[Locus (magazine)|Locus Online]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=1 September 2007 |title=2007 Hugo Awards |url=http://www.thehugoawards.org/index.php?page_id=127 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130708101608/http://www.thehugoawards.org/hugo-history/2007-hugo-awards/ |archive-date=8 July 2013 |access-date=1 September 2007 |website=World Science Fiction Society}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=9 August 2008 |title=2008 Hugo Awards Announced |url=http://www.thehugoawards.org/index.php?page_id=146 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120722140104/http://www.thehugoawards.org/2008/08/2008-hugo-award-results-announced/ |archive-date=22 July 2012 |access-date=15 August 2007 |website=World Science Fiction Society}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=24 April 2011 |title=2011 Hugo and Campbell Awards Nominees |url=http://www.locusmag.com/News/2011/04/2011-hugo-and-campbell-awards-nominees/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120910154410/http://www.locusmag.com/News/2011/04/2011-hugo-and-campbell-awards-nominees/ |archive-date=10 September 2012 |access-date=24 April 2011 |newspaper=Locus Online}}</ref> The 2016 Christmas special "[[The Return of Doctor Mysterio]]" was  also a finalist for the 2017 Hugo Awards.<ref>{{Cite web |date=5 April 2017 |title=BBC Latest News – Doctor Who |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/webarchive/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.bbc.co.uk%2Fblogs%2Fdoctorwho%2Fentries%2F60727db8-a9c6-4859-b959-a9735a4eccd4 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170408231101/http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/doctorwho/entries/60727db8-a9c6-4859-b959-a9735a4eccd4 |archive-date=8 April 2017 |access-date=14 April 2017 |website=BBC}}</ref> ''Doctor Who'' star Matt Smith won Best Actor in the [[17th National Television Awards|2012 National Television awards]] alongside Karen Gillan, who won Best Actress.<ref>{{Cite news |date=25 January 2012 |title=National TV Awards 2012: The winners |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-16733585 |access-date=4 January 2024 |work=BBC News}}</ref>

As a British series, the majority of its nominations and awards have been for national competitions such as the BAFTAs, but it has occasionally received nominations in mainstream American awards, most notably a nomination for "Favorite Sci-Fi Show" in the 2008 [[People's Choice Awards]], and the series has been nominated multiple times in the Spike [[Scream Awards]], with Smith winning Best Science Fiction Actor in 2011. The Canadian [[Constellation Awards]] have also recognised the series. In 2019, ''Doctor Who'' was inducted into the [[Museum of Pop Culture#Science Fiction and Fantasy Hall of Fame|Science Fiction Hall of Fame]] based in [[Seattle, Washington]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Science Fiction Hall of Fame |url=https://sf-encyclopedia.com/entry/sf_hall_of_fame |access-date=21 April 2023 |work=Encyclopedia of Science Fiction}}</ref>

==See also==
* [[Time travel in fiction]]
* [[List of Welsh television series]]

==Notes==
{{Notelist}}

==References==
=== Citations ===
{{Reflist|refs=

<ref name="1996 Speedup">{{cite web |url=http://www.impossiblethings.net/restorationteam/tvm.htm |title=The Television Movie |last=Roberts |first=Steve |publisher=[[Doctor Who Restoration Team]] |date=4 June 2001 |access-date=5 June 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190526164018/http://www.impossiblethings.net/restorationteam/tvm.htm |archive-date=26 May 2019 }}</ref>
}}

===Cited texts===
{{refbegin|30em}}
* {{Cite book |last1=Howe |first1=David J. |title=Doctor Who: The Sixties |last2=Walker |first2=Stephen James |last3=Stammers |first3=Mark |publisher=[[Virgin Books]] |year=1992 |isbn=0-86369-707-0 |edition=paperback |location=London |ref=none |author-link=David J. Howe}}
* {{Cite book |last1=Howe |first1=David J. |title=The Handbook: The First Doctor—The William Hartnell Years 1963–1966 |last2=Walker |first2=Stephen James |last3=Stammers |first3=Mark |publisher=[[Virgin Books]] |year=1994 |isbn=0-426-20430-1 |location=London |ref=none |author-link=David J. Howe}}
* {{Cite book |last1=Howe |first1=David J. |title=Doctor Who: The Television Companion |last2=Walker |first2=Stephen James |last3=Stammers |first3=Mark |publisher=[[BBC Books]] |year=1998 |isbn=978-0-563-40588-7 |edition=1st |location=London |ref=none |author-link=David J. Howe}}
* {{Cite book |last1=Howe |first1=David J. |title=The Television Companion: The Unofficial and Unauthorised Guide to DOCTOR WHO |last2=Walker |first2=Stephen James |publisher=[[Telos Publishing]] |year=2003 |isbn=1-903889-51-0 |edition=2nd |location=[[Canterbury]] |ref=none |author-link=David J. Howe}}
* {{Cite book |last=Richards |first=Justin |title=Doctor Who—The Legend |publisher=[[BBC Books]] |year=2003 |isbn=0-563-48602-3 |edition=1st |location=London |ref=none |author-link=Justin Richards}}
{{refend}}

==Further reading==
* Matt Hills. ''Triumph of a Time Lord: Regenerating "Doctor Who" in the Twenty-First Century'' (I. B. Tauris, 2010). 261 pages. Discusses the revival of the BBC's ''Doctor Who'' in 2005 after it had been off the air as a regular series for more than 15 years; topics include the role of "fandom" in the sci-fi programme's return, and notions of "cult" and "mainstream" in television.

===Scholarly views===
* {{Cite book |title=The Unsilent Library: Essays on the Russell T. Davies Era of the New Doctor Who |date=2011 |publisher=Science Fiction Foundation |isbn=978-0903007085 |editor-last=Bradshaw |editor-first=Simon |editor-last2=Keen |editor-first2=Anthony |editor-last3=Sleight |editor-first3=Graham}}
* {{Cite book |last=Chapman |first=James |title=Inside the TARDIS: The Worlds of Doctor Who |date=2013 |publisher=I.B.Tauris |isbn=978-1780761404 |location=London}}
* Charles, Alec. "War Without End?: Utopia, the Family, and the Post-9/11 World in Russell T. Davies's ''Doctor Who''{{-"}}. ''Science Fiction Studies'' (2008): 450–465.
* Charles, Alec. 2011. "[http://muse.jhu.edu/article/427006/pdf The crack of doom: The uncanny echoes of Steven Moffat's Doctor Who]". ''Science Fiction Film and Television''; Vol. 4, Issue 1, Spring 2011. Liverpool University Press. This analysis is framed specifically by the Freudian notion of the uncanny, and suggests that Moffat's work on ''Doctor Who'' confronts unconscious perceptions, repressed fears and death itself through storytelling techniques which attempt to connect directly with the audience by deconstructing the distance between material reality and the fantasy space of the series.
* Fisher, R. Michael, and Barbara Bickel. "The Mystery of Dr. Who? On A Road Less Traveled in Art Education". ''Journal of Social Theory in Art Education'' 26.1 (2006): 28–57.
* Fiske, John. "Popularity and ideology: A structuralist reading of Dr. Who". ''Interpreting television: Current research perspectives'' (1984): 165–198.
* McCormack, Una (2011). "He's Not the Messiah: Undermining Political and Religious Authority in New ''Doctor Who''". In Bradshaw, S., Anthony Keen and Graham Sleight (eds.), ''The Unsilent Library: Essays on the Russell T. Davies Era of the New Doctor Who''. The Science Fiction Foundation.
* Orthia, Lindy A. "Antirationalist critique or fifth column of scientism? Challenges from ''Doctor Who'' to the mad scientist trope". ''Public Understanding of Science'' 20.4 (2011): 525–542.
* Perryman, Neil. "''Doctor Who'' and the Convergence of Media: A Case Study in Transmedia Storytelling". ''Convergence'' 14.1 (2008): 21–39.

==External links==
{{Wikiquote}}
{{Commons and category|Doctor Who}}

===Official websites===
* {{BBC programme}}
* {{official website|https://www.bbc.co.uk/topics/cg2m52x1kj5t|name=Official website on BBC}}
* {{official website|https://ondisneyplus.disney.com/show/doctor-who|name=Official website on Disney+}}
* [http://www.doctorwho.tv/ ''Doctor Who''] at [[BBC Worldwide]]
* Archived websites: [https://www.bbc.co.uk/doctorwho/classic/ 1963–1996], [https://www.bbc.co.uk/doctorwho/archive.shtml 2005–2007], [https://www.bbc.co.uk/doctorwho/s4/ 2008]
* [https://www.bbcstudios.com/case-studies/doctor-who/ Production website] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220914184743/https://www.bbcstudios.com/case-studies/doctor-who/ |date=14 September 2022 }}

===Reference websites===
{{TardisIndexFile}}
* [http://drwhoguide.com/who.htm ''Doctor Who'' Reference Guide]&nbsp;– synopses of all media based on the series (1963–2012)
* ''Doctor Who'' at [[IMDb]]: [https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0056751/ 1963], [https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0116118/ 1996], [https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0436992/ 2005], [https://www.imdb.com/title/tt31433814/ 2023]
* {{Guardian topic}}
<!-- Additional sites added without discussion on the talk page will be reverted. -->

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{{Navboxes
|title = [[List of awards and nominations received by Doctor Who|Awards for ''Doctor Who'']]
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{{BAFTA TV Award for Best Drama Series 1998–2009}}
{{Hugo Award for Best Dramatic Presentation, Short Form}}
{{National Television Award for Outstanding Drama Series}}
{{Nebula Award for Best Script/Bradbury Award 2001–2020}}
{{Saturn Award for Best Television Presentation}}
{{TCA Award for Outstanding Achievement in Youth Programming}}
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{{Subject bar|Doctor Who|BBC|Science fiction|Television|United Kingdom}}

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