Every Doctor from Worst to Best - Doctor Who Ranking

[@CouncilofGeeks]

My video on the issue of the BBC's support of Transphobia: kzbin.info/www/bejne/l3-XppZmfb-ljac My video on the BBC's response to complaints of its reporting: kzbin.info/www/bejne/qZzLaWSEatGWj7s My short on why I'll continue to put up the note at the front of these: kzbin.infoHpwwzjzFXiE Shaun's 1st video, which includes some additional confirmed information: kzbin.info/www/bejne/mGXFpn2Dgs6qmck Shaun’s 2nd video, which follows how the BBC is trying to dodge accountability for all of this: kzbin.info/www/bejne/p5fNhXpsiLudo7M Shaun’s 3rd video, following him escalating his complaints: kzbin.info/www/bejne/nIPRYoiQacubmqc Shaun's 4th video, covering the BBC's response: kzbin.info/www/bejne/aXeaeIpth9RnhbM Laura Kate Dale's protest speech outside the BBC offices: kzbin.info/www/bejne/nnPNeKGNoNx0oKs

[@melodyqueen6432]

Regarding the story of Jo Martin's Doctor... There's a bit of her story revealed in the third episode of Flux. I just caught it on like my third watch. It's a very convoluted episode. Jodi plays the part in one of Jo Martin's memories so it's easy to miss. But basically, Jo Martin's doctor used to work with Karvinista [sp?] for the Division, and she was the Commander during a previous battle on the planet time, at the temple of Atropos. The Ravagers (swarm & azure) were going to..... something, it's unclear. Pretty sure Jo Martin's doctor was who originally imprisoned the ravagers after the battle and put the mouri in place, probably at the behest of division. It's not a lot more time with her, but I was kinda floored when I realised I was watching one of her memories. Oh right, he was gonna reign in hell. forgot

[@tayfay909]

It's really messed up to use phrases like "went native." It perpetuates the Indian savage trope and the belief that indigenous communities were/are lesser than those of their colonizers.

[@Futures_End]

@@tayfay909 I thought the phrase "went native" referred to doing something as the locals would do rather than a tourist, such as use their language for instance. I can't remember what the context was though.

[@Futures_End]

Just saw the context. Umm I don't see how you got the "savage trope" idea from it. Also calling them "Indians" is a lot more problematic.

[@arthurcrown3063]

I can't find a scrap of transphobia in a series that has no trans characters.

[@BlueSparxLPs]

Capaldi's Doctor, to me, is everything the Doctor is personified to perfection, and I can't imagine someone doing it better than him (but I'd love to be proven wrong). The only thing I wish was that we got more of him before he went.

[@jmurray1110]

And some of the stories weren’t written well He was always the highlight but that bar wasn’t always that hard to clear

[@morphor]

@@FreeTheDonbas He did have the "scale model of war" speech though.

[@anaramakatova1830]

I still hope that he would appear in Big Finish

[@lcflngn]

@@jmurray1110 Writing, writing, writing. Matters so much! Glad Vera made that differentiation, but it really matters so much.

[@flapackfez]

@@jmurray1110 Personally I would say the quality of his era is underrated. Yes there are duds but overall I think it's a very strong era

[@davidcremin3837]

Christopher Eccelston is probably my fav. While everyone talks about how he's so angry and damaged but what I love about him is that there is such a kindness and warmth to him too. He is detached from his trauma and very blunt he also is someone you would feel comfortable talking to and would help you. Also he's very funny

[@jmurray1110]

Too bad about everything surrounding his tenure An extra season or 2 would have cemented his place as the starting reboot doctor Basically everyone started with Tennant or smith

[@jamesstewart7736]

He had one perfect season. Some of the stories were duff but Eccleston was consistently good and the perfect actor to revive the series. 👍🏻

[@Jamestopboy]

The problem is: we know now, since Gallifrey *wasn’t* destroyed, that 9 was grumpy and moody for no reason. He could have just gone to the end of the universe and found it again. Remember? That’s why 12 didn’t find it - he went to the right place, but the wrong time. So the same applies for nine - if he went to the right year at the end of the universe he’d find it and learn the truth.

[@davidcremin3837]

@@Jamestopboy I don't like the gallifrey returning thing but his arc still works in the fact he just went through a war that lasted hundreds of years that would give anyone ptsd

[@tris_makes_music]

I agree he's very funny and chirpy, and he has great banter with anyone he meets !

[@renegarza9]

Jodie’s last words “tag you’re it” was the moment I finally understood who her doctor was. She was about all optimism (sometimes to a fault) and childlike wonder. She was the happy go lucky doctor but she hid a darker side, hence her tendency to sometimes distance herself from her companions when dealing with real emotions

[@QuackUp]

you just described the 11th doctor

[@dxctr_master]

@@QuackUp I feel like his doctor was more whacky and whimsical in my opinion, he was more the childish Doctor (not a negative opinion) whereas 13 more focuses on the wonder of that

[@sabalomglitz6478]

But it took her ENTIRE RUN to understand that. :(

[@dxctr_master]

@@sabalomglitz6478 😭 hoping big finish can fill some gaps

[@renegarza9]

@@QuackUp they are very similar

[@fernglade]

I don't know that anyone will ever knock Matt Smith from being number one in my eyes, but I love Capaldi and this is a great list! I love hearing people's different rankings and perspectives, it often makes me notice and appreciate new things about each doctor that hadn't really crossed my mind before.

[@LadyofBakerStreet]

McCoy was my first doctor and I love him above all others. The character of Ace and their relationship meant the world to me.

[@cmmosher8035]

Rememberance of the Daleks is one of my favourite series. I just loved the relationship between Ace and Seven as well.

[@nekusakura6748]

McCoy is definitely my favourite Classic Doctor.

[@rainbeau88]

Seven is my Doctor as well! 😊

[@maurinet2291]

The Tenth Doctor is mine, and probably always will be--but I thought your breakdown was spot on. I loved in 10 the moments that the alienness peeked through and you saw who he really was underneath the congenial veneer. His eyes would just go flat and there would be all of eternity in there. Matt is probably a close second and Peter third, I didn't connect with him until that last season, but his relationship with Missy and Bill was FANTASTIC.

[@pious83]

It's funny, the only story wherein I liked the 10th's characterisation was Human Nature/Family of Blood. Which is quintessential 7th Doctor.

[@pious83]

@@FreeTheDonbas Why gatekeep? Seems very unnecessary.

[@tomnorton4277]

I hated Peter Capaldi's Doctor. He was insecure, misanthropic, sociopathic and a disgrace to the Doctor's core character. It was like if the Valeyard was an actual regeneration. However, Michael Jayston was INTENTIONALLY stomping all over the Doctor's core principles. Peter Capaldi did it through sheer incompetence. If I didn't care so much about Clara Oswald, I would have never reached the end of Season 8. I only tuned in for Season 9 because she stayed to help Capaldi clean up his own mess. I never wanted Clara to leave but I couldn't wait to get rid of Capaldi. Hell, I probably would have cheered if she literally had slapped him into his next regeneration. The thing I hate most is the awareness that Seasons 8 and 9 had the potential to be incredible. They had so many aspects that should have easily put them among the greatest eras in Doctor Who's entire history but Peter Capaldi dragged them down. I'd actually be more forgiving if Seasons 8 and 9 had just been bad seasons. Instead, they were great seasons with a bad Doctor.

[@mayotango1317]

​@@tomnorton4277You even watch the Fourth Doctor of the Gothic era?

[@Doccywho124]

Baker, McGann and Capaldi all be able to play the doctor in whatever way the writers want

[@michaelreindel6975]

1. Peter Capaldi 2. Tom Baker 3. Matt Smith 4. Christopher Eccleston 5. Colin Baker 6. Jon Pertwee 7. Jo Martin 8. Paul McGann 9. John Hurt 10. Sylvester McCoy 11. David Tennant 12. Patrick Troughton 13. William Hartnell 14. Peter Davison 15. Jodie Whittaker

[@lcflngn]

Ooh, very close to mine… few swaps, but nice one!

[@erics3367]

I'm so happy nine made it so high up. Because nine has a special place in my heart, he was of course the first Doctor that I've watched. And he pulled me in. He was somewhat melancholic, I liked his roughness. I think he has just some really stong scenes and dialogues/ monologue. Like the one about the survival of mankind. Or everybody lives. Or the tough guy act he puts on for "I'm going to save Rose Tyler" where he legitimately has a break down afterwards

[@RopeDrink]

It's a pleasure to see the Seventh Doctor getting a little love. The dark, mischevious and manipulative chess master, perfectly contrasted by a familial teacher/student bond with Ace, the explosive teenage rebel. They're total opposites in almost every way, yet completely inseperable - from cute and caring moments to bitter arguments over their differences. They have such great chemistry, helped by being such close friends in real life. It was great to see them together one more time in Power of the Doctor.

[@melenatorr]

I cut Peter Davison a lot of slack: he had to replace Tom Baker. That in itself was an intimidating task. And his Doctor is, by necessity, very different. The intention was to make him stand away from Baker, and I think that was correct. I liked his slightly unsure, fairly vulnerable character, prone to error, paying for them. I felt, at the time, that he had some very good stories (it's been decades and I no longer remember them, but I do remember how I felt watching him). I think it's hard for people not having lived through the actual transition, to appreciate what Davison had to do - figure Troughton multiplied. It was hard, He did well. I personally would place him higher than very bottom.

[@scpatl4now]

Matt Smith's Doctor is still my #1. I admit I had a hard time warming up to Capaldi's Doctor because it was such a jarring change, but with time he has grown on me...

[@katokianimation]

I felt liturally the same. After Matt Smith left i hated that the Doctor isnt wihmsy a young man who deliveres jokes perfectly but ages 1000 years. in a second if he is pushed to the edge, anymore. But now i see him ass a great Doctor for very different reasons why i loved 11. Also the fact that Moffat got really tired at this point didn't help.

[@bizarrebunny5579]

My top 3 I cant differentiate genuinely are 10,11&12. I know 10 feels so human but I like to think that’s the guilt from the time war, he met rose after the time war and for the first time felt happiness again and purpose again and that was through a human and so wanted to connected with humanity even more and was jealous of humanities simplicity compared to time lords. I think family of blood really summed that up for me- when John Smith says how the thought of love didn’t even cross the doctors mind in the plan. The 10th doctor wants love, whether that be romantic with rose or platonically with Donna and he only seemed capable of it as a human so he acts human like. 11 was a fresh start for the doctor. He went through so much as 10 and so when the first person he met as 11 was a child he learnt to have fun again. He craves that naivety and just relaxing and that’s bc the first person he met was a kid. After all the loss 10 experienced, he wanted a family a stable family that was his and so met the ponds and was happy. But there was that darkness he carried with him, he kept the trauma with him but he’d finally learned how to not move on but have a clean start and keep the childlikeness he craved when he met a child for the first time at the front of his life but still had that old soul and darkness with him. Ugh perfection 12 was then just so special as a doctor. He realised towards of the end of 11 that he wasn’t human and so it felt like with 12, he accepted it and stopped trying to fit in. He had that old soul but the kindest soul, he stopped letting people have excuses for the way they acted and held them responsible for their actions. He didn’t hide his disgust and he didn’t want to fit in anymore. He just wanted to help who he could. Ugh capaldi NAILED it.

[@gozerthegozarian9500]

Tom Baker's picture in the thumbnail reminds me of the popular game "Tom Baker or normal?" It requires: A minimumof two participants, each with their own phone with a working camera. You sit across from each other or in a circle, depending on the number of participants. At the command of the first participant, all the other participants close their eyes and cover them with their hands while the first participant snaps a selfie while making a face that is either "Tom Baker or normal". They then aske the other participants (who are now allowed to open/uncover their eyes) : "Tom Baker or normal?" and they have to guess what kind of face they made. The answers are noted, and the selfie is shown, and each participant who guessed correctly is awarded a point. Then it's the next participants turn to to take a selfie while the others close/cover their eyes and afterwards guess if their selfie is "Tom Baker or normal?"

[@eshepard8565]

That is such an extremely specific game. 😂😂

[@Jacquerel27]

To me, Capaldi's speech to Missy and The Master in The Doctor Falls is the purest distillation of who The Doctor is we've ever gotten. Tennant will probably always be MY Doctor, but Capaldi is the truest expression of The Doctor as a character in my opinion.

[@WiloPolis03]

[about the 11th doctor]: *"I can, at times, be prisoner of the moment"* So would you say... Prisoner of the Moment has escaped? Thank you, thank you, I'm here all day Edit - Also, re:"acting like a buffoon so the enemies underestimate" made me think of Uncle Iroh from Avatar.

[@DavidProv]

You're the second person I've seen rank Peter Capaldi as number 1 and it really makes me feel better about myself wanting to have him at number 1...for me it's a toss up between 12 and 10. 7 is my all time favorite classic Doctor, for the record.

[@RileyScarletSpiderGirl]

The 6th Doctor (my favourite Doctor) being so high in comparison to his usual place warms my heart. Colin is a fantastic actor and a wonderful choice for The Doctor and Big Finish get all my love for proving just how good he really is.

[@ryanpollard1166]

1. Tom Baker/Peter Capaldi 2. Patrick Troughton 3. Jon Pertwee 4. William Hartnell 5. Paul McGann 6. Matt Smith 7. David Tennant 8. John Hurt 9. Christopher Eccleston 10. Sylvester McCoy 11. Jo Martin 12. Colin Baker 13. Jodie Whittaker 14. Peter Davison

[@azurabayta133]

I was previously in the same boat regarding not really getting the 5th Doctor. Like, he was **nice,** but that's about it. But I rewatched season 19 recently (his first season) and it dawned on me: He's an exasperated babysitter, who is absolutely sick and tired of everyone's horseshit, but is still desperately trying to keep it together. He's nice in spite of obviously wanting to knock heads, and occasionally lets that irritation through in drips and drabs in the form of sarcasm.

[@coyotehater]

My list: 15. Jodie Whitaker 14. John Hurt 13. William Hartnell 12. Jon Pertwee 11. Jo Martin 10. Colin Baker 09. David Tennant 08. Peter Davison 07. Christopher Ecelston 06. Paul McGann 05. Matt Smith 04. Tom Baker 03. Patrick Troughton 02. Sylvester McCoy And by a large margin 01. Peter Capaldi

[@Montogoronto]

A big 👍 for placing 13 on the last place

[@FistOfFiori]

I feel like I rank 11th Doctor - my favourite Doctor - and the 7th Doctor highly for the same reason - I really dig the slightly Machiavellian and dark side of the character. Where he conceals things or pushes things in a certain direction For example, The Curse of Fenric and God Complex both even go as far as them purposely breaking their companion's faith in him for a moment. It's emotional manipulation which of course can be skeevy but it saves the day. And how they have a darkness in them, a storm brewing, a mood sometimes, but ultimately are the friend and hero still. Smith's Doctor, to me, is a mix of Troughton's and McCoy's too, which helps.

[@rainbeau88]

Exactly! I just posted a similar comment. You can definitely see some 2 and 7 in the 11th! 11 is my second favorite modern Doctor. I thought Matt Smith did an excellent job portraying a very “old soul” in a young body!

[@FistOfFiori]

@@rainbeau88 Indeed! He's also my favourite of the modern era!

[@k1ttkw1snky69]

as much as i love the attitude and charisma the 10th doctor and David Tennant have, the goofiness and rage, he feels like a human pretending to be an alien, rather than an alien pretending to be human. which isn't bad, he just isn't what i want in the doctor. that's why 11 is one of my favorites. he's goofy and whimsical but gets kinda manipulative and rageful and never feels quite human despite almost making you think he is.

[@jonathanlee2995]

Christopher Eccleston is by far the most underrated doctor

[@Venemofthe888]

Unfortunately, the war doctor feels like he was unnecessary version of the doctor. Even if they couldnt get Eccleston they could have gone with McGann. Id love to see Jo Martin come back to the show in future. I dont know if Russel would do so but it would be lovely to bring her back especially cause she is magnetic

[@pious83]

War Doctor should have been McGann. The change to his characterisation, justified by the lengths he had to go through in the Time War.

[@joshuaverran9443]

In my opinion there should never had been a War Doctor or Fugitive to begin with not only have they messed up the numbers but it now treats us like idiots that we thought it was McGann's Doctor the fought in the war which would had make more sense John Hurt is a great actor but they shouldn't had retconned him in.

[@pious83]

@@joshuaverran9443 It's writers/showrunners wanting to make a lasting impact on the show. Ultimately, neither are anything to get excited about. Since they both have just ended up being _another_ Valeyard. A plot device for that particular season. Without Big Finish, the War Doctor plotline ceased to be after Day of the Doctor. The Fugitive Doctor plotline didn't go anywhere before or after Flux. You can stick to the numbered Doctors and it doesn't really impact the narrative.

[@EileenGallia]

I deeply appreciate the 9th Doctor recognition. He means so much to me, and Eccleston is so good.

[@wcapewell3089]

The 11th doctor is, and will always be my favourite Doctor.

[@reduxanimatory7369]

12 will probably always be my favourite Doctor. He's such a great actor and had the best character development. I'm upset I didn't realise how good he was at the time but I remember really loving series 10 so much from release to this day. It's such a refreshing series of who. People who dropped off before Capaldi were really missing out.

[@MarkWiseTechno]

5:25ish I'd say the 5th Doctor's definitive companion was Tegan, but I get where you're coming from with that sentiment because outside The Caves of Androzani, his very final story, 5 always had 2-3 companions. And it's not just companions who suffer when there are too many of them, The Doctor suffers, too. Still, I think Tegan was there long enough and shows a closer connection than the others to stand as the definitive companion to the 5th Doctor.

[@lucypreece7581]

I concur when you say Peter Davison is a lovely man. I have also met him. The same day I also met Colin Baker also a really lovely man. One of his daughters is also called Lucy so we bonded over that. Also same day I met Katy Manning. The woman is mad as a box of cats but also super lovely. The three of them just had the warmest and most comforting energies about them of anyone I have ever met. Beautiful people.

[@JenABlue-ed1bw]

Thank you for articulating so well why I love Capaldi so much. His story ended eight days before my egg cracked, and I don't know if it would have without having watched and loved his journey first.

[@1990danyb]

If you've not done so already I highly recommend the audio Afterlife. The relationship breakdown between Ace and 7 in part 1 and a certain speech he gives at the end of the story is enough for McCoy to be my favourite Doctor. It's wonderfully written and acted.

[@No8Named8Shadow]

This list is so chaotic and I love it but at the same time I’m emotionally scarred from having 5 so low on the list ahhh the conflict!

[@dgf6275]

This 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾

[@AysKuz]

I really like all I watched/experienced and for the longest time I refused the notion of "this or that one is MY Doctor" but then 12 came along and it changed. And yes, you said it best: the platonic ideal. He is indeed. Much love to you Vera!

[@TheSindustriesLtd]

my favourite Doctor ping pongs a between Eccleston, Tennant, Smith, and Capaldi on a whim. I adore all of them for very different reasons. but I will say that Capaldi's portrayal feels like the most genuine and pure distillation of who The Doctor is, that we've ever seen. to the point where after Capaldi's era, all of the other incarnations feel like a mask.

[@flapackfez]

Probably likely to change but for now: Turns out I actually agree with most of your rankings 15)The War Doctor-John Hurt 14)The 5th Doctor-Peter Davison 13)The 13th Doctor-Jodie Whittaker 12)The Fugitive Doctor-Jo Martin 11)The 1st Doctor-William Hartnell 10)The 3rd Doctor-John Pertwee 9)The 8th Doctor-Paul McGann 8)The 6th Doctor-Colin Baker 7)The 11th Doctor-Matt Smith 6)The 9th Doctor-Christopher Eccleston 5)The 7th Doctor-Sylvester McCoy 4)The 10th Doctor-David Tennant 3)The 2nd Doctor-Patrick Troughton 2)The 4th Doctor-Tom Baker 1)The 12th Doctor-Peter Capaldi

[@monteepython84]

Sadly, have only watched new who. So, 1. Matt Smith 2. Peter Capaldi 3. Christopher Eccleston 5. David Tennat 6. War Doctor John Hurt & Fugitive Doctor - Jo Martin .... would have loved to see more from them to decide better 7. sorry Jodie Whittaker .... but I just didnt feel as much

[@nekusakura6748]

Big Finish is going to be doing an Audio Drama with the War Doctor and The Fugitive Doctor on an adventure together.

[@benwelsh5265]

1. Tenth Doctor 2. Eighth Doctor 3. Sixth Doctor 4. Ninth Doctor 5. Seventh Doctor 6. Twelfth Doctor 7. Eleventh Doctor 8. Third Doctor 9. Fourth Doctor 10. Second Doctor 11. First Doctor 12. Fugitive Doctor 13. War Doctor 14. Fifth Doctor 15. Thirteenth Doctor

[@Tejiknasten]

This ranking makes me feel so happy. Your top 3 are the same as mine. I've always been a 7th Doctor kid, growing up in the 1990's, watching old VHS videos. IMO, his 2 last seasons are the strongest of the whole classic era. They ended on a high note and I'm glad that the somewhat underrated 7th Doctor has gotten more love in latter years. Thank's for a great Channel! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

[@kryten1016]

Matt smith and Peter Capaldi are my top two, i highly approve of your list, i loved your respect for number 7 and 2

[@triplejazzmusicisall1883]

Just to infrom you that sadly Michael Jayston aka The Valeyeard and utterly wonderful man has just passed away. He was considered by many considered the best thing in Season 23 and there is delighful footage of him on the box set feature where he, Colin, Nicola and Bonnie chat over lunch. This below from the Big Finish site. Michael Jayston 1935-2024 5 February 2024 Tags : Stop PressDoctor Who - The Sixth Doctor AdventuresDoctor Who - The Eighth Doctor AdventuresDoctor Who - Unbound There is a lengthy piece/tribute worth reading and his long association with DW and more. I loved the Valeyard and his freindly warmth and humou the man always exuded. RIP Michael Jayston

[@WhiteWolf496]

My ranking of the doctors I've actually seen. 10 11 12 9 Fugitive 13 War

[@gamer3ed484]

It's so tough, but I agree in a lot of ways. I've not seen as much Classic Who as I'd have liked, but I've seen at least one story of each doctor. My personal ranking would be: 15. Five 14. War 13. Thirteen 12. One 11. Fugitive 10. Three 9. Six 8. Four 7. Seven 6. Eight 5. Ten 4. Nine 3. Two 2. Eleven 1. Twelve I really hope that Classic Who is also moved to Disney+ next year. I would love to experience more of the Doctors that I haven't seen much of. At the end of the day, I still think it's remarkable how over nearly 60 years, all of these performances still rink so true as being the Doctor. Every single Doctor still feels like the Doctor. I think by the very nature of how actors are put into the role, they take little aspects of each past incarnation, and that amalgamation makes them all feel like one and the same, in a deeper more meta way. Also, I love seeing Twelve at the top of your list. I would go as far as to say Capaldi is the most underrated.

[@joshuaverran9443]

I don't count War and Fugitive as they are side Doctors not series leads.

[@loxley75]

This list is heresy! And thats what I love about Doctor Who! How everyone has personal reasons for ranking their favorite Doctors. With me I came into the show at the end of Tom Bakers era at an age where I was too young to really understand what was going on and also with the idea that he had been the Doctor forever, but then really grew up with the fifth Doctor so while he may not be so high on my list of favorites I have a real love for a lot of the stories of that era. Then of course as I got a little older I was able to really appreciate the seventh Doctor who was my favorite for years, having experienced the hearbreaking 'end' of the series with him. Have to say as in OG fan David Tennant actually replaced him though as my overall favorite, to the point that I am sort of biased against Matt Smith simply for replacing him. Anyway, fun list and I love the fact that I vehemently disagree with so much of it lol!

[@compgirl6882]

Ok I am going to have to listen to Big Finish with #6. I HATE him. Would like to have that change.

[@JayLiszte]

Start with the Marion conspiracy, then if you enjoy that go to jubilee.

[@the_epic_groke]

Doctor Who and the Pirates is a great place to get an idea of how good 6th Doctor can be

[@anaramakatova1830]

@@the_epic_groke love it!

[@mrdoctorgilmore]

Classic Doctors: 1. Colin Baker (with or without Big Finish) 2. Patrick Troughton 3. William Hartnell 4. Sylvester McCoy 5. Paul McGann (with Big Finish) 6. Tom Baker 7. Jon Pertwee 8. Peter Davison Revival: 1. Peter Capaldi 2. Christopher Eccleston 3. Matt Smith 4. John Hurt (With Big Finish) 5. Jodie Whittaker 6. David Tennant 7. Jo Martin (May change when BF expands on her character)

[@sonicsera7979]

Capaldi is the best doctor. As we grow up and change we relate to him more and more.

[@nocturne8333]

After a recent rewatch of Classic and New Who, mine would have to be: 1. Paul McGann 2. Peter Capaldi 3. Matt Smith 4. Patrick Troughton 5. Peter Davison 6. Tom Baker 7. Sylvester McCoy 8. John Pertwee 9. William Hartnell 10. Colin Baker 11. John Hurt 12. Christopher Eccleston 13. Jo Martin 14. Jodie Whittaker 15. David Tennant

[@monteepython84]

Tennant last? How come? (disclaimer: he isnt in my top 3 either)

[@nocturne8333]

@@monteepython84 I just really can’t bring myself to like him. He gets all of the worst moments of RTD’s writing and self-indulgence in a way that I think Eccleston avoided. I personally don’t like RTD’s writing or characters generally (I’m more of a Moffat enjoyer) and series 2-4 just aren’t my thing. I know they’re very popular though and it’s great that so many people enjoy them, I just haven’t quite got there yet.

[@monteepython84]

@@nocturne8333 Gotcha. Me too, I love the Moffat era. And I like the mystery box arcs, respectfully disagreeing with out host here ;)

[@ThirteensHologram]

Twelve is definitely one of my favourites. But another favourite of mine is Thirteen. Ik a lot of ppl don't like her and I get their issues (the reasonable ones, not the bigoted ones) there has always been something incredibly special about her to me. Idk, maybe I'm just biased bcus she was my first proper Doctor but I love her.

[@yerkeskid]

1. Tom Baker 4th Doctor 2. Peter Capaldi 12th Doctor 3. Jon Pertwee 3rd Doctor 4. Sylvester McCoy 7th Doctor 5. David Tennant 10th Doctor 6. Matt Smith 11th Doctor 7. Paul McGann 8th Doctor 8. Peter Davidson 5th Doctor 9. Patrick Troughton 2nd Doctor 10. Colin Baker 6th Doctor 11. Chriistopher Eccleston 10th Doctor 12. William Hartnell 1st Doctor 13. Jodie Whittaker 13th Doctor 14. Jo Martin Fugitive Doctor 15. John Hurt War Doctor

[@drwhogamer1650]

David Tennant’s at the top for me, because of that human element/dark streak

[@onewingednerd]

I don't get the insane love for the fugitive Doctor. She was on screen barely any and thete was nothing to stand her apart from grumpy 9 and grumpy 12. We know nothing about her, her journey and her companions if there are any. There'd nothing to relate to or any latch on to. She's just there and ultimately adds nothing as a whole currently.

[@ftumschk]

_"there was nothing to stand her apart from grumpy 9 and grumpy 12"_ - Totally agree. In fact, most of what Jo Martin was required to do was to act mean and sarcastic. Not to mention cruel... gloating after ripping out a Judoon's horn is not a good look for any Doctor. In the odd moments when the script called for a less "badass" performance, I wasn't bowled over by Jo Martin's characterisation at all; she was OK, but nothing more.

[@kylepetersen9521]

I feel sorry for any doctors that were unable to create their character, due to strange production decisions. The JNT era "no comedy", jumps to mind. It was unnecessary boundaries. The war doctor...is... just superfluous. A way to do the 50th without Christopher Eccleston. To me, the 9th, will always be the doctor that pushed the button, it is true to his character.

[@kmsbean]

Bottom three would have to be War Doctor, Fugitive Doctor, and 8th Doctor, all for the same reason, not enough time to have done much. Next lower three would be 5th, 6th, and 13th. I haven’t seen Big Finish, so 6th is not great. I never really connected to Davidson much, (Adric, Kamelion and Vislor are arguably the worst of all the companions) and the whole John Nathan-Turner run was bad. Whittaker for me showed signs of promise in her second season, but it seems like someone (JW? CC?) was capable of better but simple chose not to be, I wanted to like Flux because I think they tried really hard to make it good, but things outside their control prevented that. At least her specials were all really good. Middle three I would have 7th, who had nothing to work with by this point and was better than could have been expected given the circumstances. But if you remove the context of all the behind the scenes issues and just look at it on it’s own, it would be generous to say B-. Also in the middle group, for the same reason on both, are 1st and 9th. Basically the show didn’t know what it was doing, they tried some stuff, some worked and some didn’t. There are certainly highlights on both (Empty Child/Doctor Dances is #1 story of whole 60 year run, likewise from Dalek Invasion of Earth until the end of season 2 is really good before constant casting changes started to ruin things) At #6 I would have 10th, I know a lot of people love him, but I just never really connected with him and he seem to stick around too long (more on that later). #5 I have 3rd, mainly because I’ve been re-watching the classic era and he’s really, really good, other than season 11 which is absolute garbage. Seasons 7, 8, 9, and 10 are great. #4 I have 12th, another great Doctor that had some amazing episodes but fizzled out in their last season. Series 8 has Mummy on Orient Express, Series 9 has the stuff with Ashildr, and The Husbands of River Song. Then series 10 he was just kind of lost without Clara. #3 I have 4th, Tom Baker is great. From his first episode in Robot all the way up to a Key to Time is amazing (honestly the whole run of seasons 12-15 is even better than Pertwee’s 7-10). However, there are also seasons 16-18 and you can see the quality start to drop going into the nosedive that lead up to Trial of a Time Lord. #2 is my favourite 11th. I love Matt Smith, plus we get Amy and Rory and River. There is another 8 episodes after Angels Take Manhatten. Jenna Coleman as Clara has as little chemistry with Matt Smith as Elizabeth Sladen’s Sarah Jane Smith had with Jon Pertwee. Which is why #1 is Patrick Troughton’s 2nd Doctor. He has the best companion in Jamie. Once they figure things out by the Evil of the Daleks it’s strong the whole rest of the time right up to the War Games. He is the only Doctor that didn’t have a decline in his last season and he alone left at the top of his game.

[@k-majik]

I have so much trouble ranking the Doctors. I love them in all their forms and there's something about every Doctor that I think they do better than anyone else. Having said that, I do think that the First, Second, Fourth, Sixth in the audios, Seventh, Ninth and Twelfth are consistently at the higher end of my list! I should state as well that the first Doctor I saw was the First on reruns on the ABC here in Australia (still very sad we're losing broadcasting rights to Disney), but that the Ninth Doctor is properly 'my Doctor'.

[@SKSith]

Capaldi is my #1 as well, I love him and his journey. Him and Bill are perfect together and they probably won't fall down my list for a long time either. Eight is my second favorite. I love his exceptional stubbornness. I remember several times in the audios where he's give a terrible choice and he's just say no, I'm not playing this game. That's why is glad he didn't come back to be the one who fought, because I love that he's The Doctor that refused to fight. Though I would have loved to see him back. I have the same issue as you with Five, but in the audios Nyssa became his definitive companion for me. I didn't even like her in the show originally, but she shines in the audios. I've rewatched her episodes afterwards, and the personality was all there, but she doesn't get enough time with the Tardis being so crowded. This experience helped me like Yaz in her first season. Thirteen ranks higher for me than you. I feel like I kind of know who she is. She's very direct, I think one of her most defining lines is "You weren't at Grace's funeral". She doesn't play the fool as much as others, instead she tries to stay focus on figuring out how she's going to win. That's why she's always repeating what's going on, to try to sum it up in the hopes of sparking that solution. Then there's the whole keeping secrets from the companions thing, which I wasn't really a fan of. I feel like it worked better want Seven did that. I would have liked it that was something she overcame by or during Flux, but I didn't see that.

[@timidwolf]

The biggest problem Jodie had was she sticks too closely to the scripts without injecting herself into them, something which is basically required from actors for this role, so we never get who her Doctor is! Still not sure I would include Jo Martin, just because it's not at all clear where she comes in the line. They say she was before Hartnell but we know that can't be true because of the Tardis.

[@jitmancanth6698]

For me, Tennant is my favourite Doctor because of his humanity, how easy it is to relate to him. But Matt Smith is for me the best, because he is alien and inscrutable.

[@fobwatchful]

Hartnell definitely had a story arc. His important arc is why the timeless child retcon doesn't work for me. In my humble opinion, it could work it it were revealed that the timeless child was SUSAN. The Doctor might never have known that she was adopted by her parents. It even gives a reason why he (Hartnell-Doctor) would have left Galifrey. He wouldn't need to know of an existence of a timeless child, he would only need to know that Susan was in some way endangered on Galifrey. In the very early shows, if I recall correctly, he didn't tend to get involved with other planets happenings. He was protective of Susan, and to a lesser extent, he was a bit protective of Ian and Barbra. Beyond that, he wasn't someone who did things for the universe until the Dalek invasion of earth. He left Susan on earth where she could be relatively safe while he was out making a target of himself.

[@Unf1t4life]

This might be an impossible task but I'd love if you'd think of doing a tardis team rating

[@CouncilofGeeks]

I’ve got a lot of classic stories to catch up on before I do that. Same reason I’ve only covered modern era companions.

[@Unf1t4life]

@@CouncilofGeeks Yeah its a big task, but I hope you manage to get there

[@tokublwhovian]

1. Smith. 2. Troughton. 3. Eccleston. 4. McCoy. 5. Hartnell. 6. Martin. 7. C. Baker. 8. Capaldi. 9. Whittaker. 10. Davison. 11. McGann. 12. T. Baker. 13. Hurt. 14. Pertwee. 15. Tennant.

[@misstrussteLgbTq]

Like anyone I have MY Doctor and despite being in high school when Eccleston was The Doctor and Tennant was The Doctor and growing up in England where everyone who watched the original had THEIR Doctor, MY Doctor is always going to be Matt Smith and yeah not all his stories were great but you never get over your first.

[@andrewbowman4611]

I do think that each Doctor reflects a different personality type, and as such you can tell a lot about people by their preference. For me, Capaldi languishes near the bottom - along with Pertwee and Tennant - because his caustic nature in Series 8 became something of a barrier for me. Admittedly, during Series 9 and 10 I warmed to him more, but the shadow of his first season loomed large over the character. I much prefer the childlike nature of Troughton and Smith over the more straight-backed, no nonsense approach of Pertwee, for example. As for Whittaker, her final line perfectly encapsulated her performance throughout; a hopeful optimism even in the darkest days, protecting herself from her emotions - especially in deeply personal moments - with a playful naïvety. Childlike but never childish, she just wanted to explore the universe with her new-found family. She was brave, strong and extremely likeable - if you like joyfulness and wonderment, that is. With that in mind, here's my list: 1. Troughton 2. Smith 3. McCoy 4. T. Baker 5. Whittaker 6. C. Baker 7. McGann 8. Eccleston 9. Hartnell/Hurndall/Bradley 10. Davison 11. Martin 12. Hurt 13. Tennant 14. Pertwee 15. Capaldi I will say that there's a hair's breadth between them, but someone's got to be at the top and someone's got to be at the bottom. Such is the nature of lists, I suppose.

[@bowvayne4842]

The biggest waste of a brilliant Doctor was Paul McGann's 8th. He was superb in a so-so Movie and in a 7m short The Night of the Doctor. Given some more stories he could easily be top three, if not the best.

[@nekusakura6748]

Big Finish really helps the 8th Doctor a LOT....

[@EntNatal]

I hope the 13th Doctor is vindicated in future media, as her abysmal run had nothing to do with Jodie, but rather with Chris Chibnall’s direction, which was dull and terrible.

[@alternatethirteenth5594]

I have to say, your placement of McCoy shocked me! My list: 1) 11 2) 12 3) 8 4) 6 5) 2 6) 4 7) 7 8) War (Yea) 9/10) 9/10 (Very interchangeable for me) 11) 3 12) 1 13) 5 14) 13 (It's a shame, I want her higher but here we are) Don't feel there's enough of Fugitive to rank her yet

[@nocturne8333]

We love to see Eighth Doctor and Moffat Doctors appreciation.

[@thesimpsons17]

1) Eleventh Doctor 2) Twelfth Doctor 3) Forth Doctor 4) Seventh Doctor 5) Second Doctor 6) Ninth Doctor 7) Eighth Doctor 8) Third Doctor 9) Sixth Doctor 10) Tenth Doctor 11) First Doctor 12) Fifth Doctor 13) Thirteenth Doctor I can't really fairly put War or Fugitive on the list as they aren't around enough to compare them to other Doctors.

[@katokianimation]

I belive if a Doctor havent got their lead role on screen, they shouldn't be on top lists neither. I still dont know what would Doctor Who be like if John Hurts Doctor got a series or his own movie bc it never happened. Therefore i cant compare him to the others.

[@thesimpsons17]

@@katokianimation yeah I actually really love the War Doctor, thought John Hurt brought such a gravitas to the role but it's unfair to judge on one episode

[@willielogan4811]

I agree. The non numbers are fun encounters, but should be left off the grading scale.

[@Annagramme8]

It tough to me to choose who I prefer between 10th and 12th since I got a different relationship with those two. 10th is like, MY Doctor, the Doctor I would want to follow, the Doctor whose I would be a companion of. 12th, is the Doctor, the person even, that I would want to be.

[@simonchapman-bb6zb]

You make a very good point about how our views change over time. Within the context of Doctor Who, I think many people move away from then-favouties to now-favourites. My personal favourite is Peter Capaldi, but I acknowledge other Doctors had some amazing stories. Variety is the spice of life. Peace.

[@AdamJasper18]

I've never seen a single episode of Sylvester McCoy's era but he's still one of my favourite Doctors only from the few clips I've seen of him and his Doctor as well as everyone's seemingly unanimous love for him

[@natsmith303]

My favorite is currently Troughton. I have previously said McGann, and truthfully he might shoot right on up to the top again as I make my way through his impressively long BF career. But Capaldi has never ever loved from my second favorite. Plenty of people have played a Doctor; he played The Doctor’s Doctor.

[@The482075]

When David Tennant returns, will he be treated as two different Doctors on the next list?

[@jackskellingtonsora]

Here's how I would rank them. For similar reasons. 1. 6 2. 11 3. 8 4. 12 5. 10 6. 4 7. 7 8. 1 9. 9 10. 3 11. 2 12. Fugitive 13. War 14. 5 15. 13 13 really only goes at the bottom because her character does quite a few morally reprehensible things. Otherwise she'd probably be above War. The Marian Conspiracy was the first thing I listened to/watched with the Sixth Doctor and from the moment when he walked into Evelyn Smythe's classroom all bluster and self-importance I fell in love. I knew he was something special, above and beyond any other Doctor I'd seen up until that point. And he did not disappoint. Every single time I listen to a Sixth Doctor audio I feel like I'm at home. Especially, as the video said, with Evelyn, but he's got a fantastic relationship with his other companions. Mel, Flip, Constance, Charley, even Peri. The relationship with Peri is actually a fantastic one because of what she's gone through with him and how he's tried to make amends.

[@theunamiable]

I resonated a lot with this ranking. It's all a bit sad that Jodie never quite worked, but the 7th and 11th are my own platonic ideals for what the Doctor should be (for what that's worth).

[@danielbridger7113]

nobody will ever beat patrick troughton in my rankings

[@MarionBaggins]

He is my Eldest Bro's and my Favourite Classic Doctor!!!

[@calebleland8390]

Interesting rankings. For me, Tom will always be my first place, but I'm incredibly happy to see Sylvester and Peter ranked so high. Sylvester was always my second place, and then David and Matt were sort of tied for third. But Peter deserves so much love and praise because he was amazing. And maybe it's because I was so young and impressionable at the time (I was 5 or 6 when Davison took the role) but I always enjoyed the Fifth, even if his stories were often times terrible. As a funny aside, when I typed in Peter my phone suggested Cushing as the next word, so apparently my phone wishes that the Cushing films were canon. 🤣🤣🤣

[@jedisalsohere]

Eight has grown on me a lot since I started reading the books. To be honest, he never really clicked for me on audio, be it Breathless Eight from the Charley/Lucie stuff or Leather Eight from Dark Eyes on. In the books, though, he benefits hugely from the introduction of Fitz, a companion who compliments him perfectly and brings out the best in him.

[@samuelbarber6177]

I find it hard to rank them. I love them all. My favourite is Matt Smith, but that’s only really sentimental reasons rather than anything that genuinely makes him better than the others. I’m also very partial to the earliest Doctors, Hartnell, Troughton, Pertwee and Baker #1 (what can I say, I love the classics, I love that era of the show). I love the crotchety old First Doctor, the impish, Chaplin-like personality of the Second Doctor (something I like in particular about him, while with other Doctors I realise that they are putting on a front to pretend they’re just silly and weird, but are really incredibly powerful beings, Troughton’s the opposite, the power is the front with him), Pertwee’s absolute charisma, and Baker’s brilliant eccentricity. Also, Sylvester McCoy is a favourite.

[@brucesimmons5517]

Glad to see 7 above 4. Definitely my favourite classic Doctor 👍

[@film1295]

So glad that my favorite doctor (7th) has risen in your ranks.

[@richardmaloneriki1811]

TLDW: You like your Doctors with Scottish accents 🤪 (Capaldi's still my favorite too! But when I was missing Capaldi I watched Pertwee and his red velvet coat.)

[@jackdubz4247]

As a Scot, I prefer my Doctors with Scottish accents. Which is why will never forgive RTD for making David Tennant do his Doctor with that awful English accent. Makes no sense.

[@HamishsRobot]

The Doctor is the Doctor all the time. I see them as one entity; different aspects of the same time lord. That said, whenever the Tardis materialised on the front field of my school, it was usually the 5th Doctor that stepped out.

[@eliseibert6180]

the scot docs are my 2 favs as well! (though the list is constantly shifting based on what i want to watch/read/listen to). Series ten encapsulates everything I love and understand about the Doctor perfectly, and it's a real shame people dropped off from the show after smith left. I really like hearing your assessments, though I try to stay away from these kinds of lists generally, because they tend to be exactly the same: in bottom place colin baker and in top place david tennant. Everyone's entitled to their opinions, but for me those rankings are so predictable and the takes are lukewarm at best.

[@MarkEdwarMurphy]

It's been a minute since I've been into Doctor Who. I do have opinions, though, and this is where I would stand just today. Unlike your ranking, I am taking in how much I enjoyed their stories, their overall legacy, quality of their runs along with the quality of characterization. This will go best to worst because reasons. 1) Tom Baker (Because nostalgia, longevity and being the quintessential Doctor.) 2) David Tenant (The modern standard of the Doctor, with human and alien qualities.) 3) Patrick Troughton (I just love his character and how set the pattern for future Doctors.) 4) Chris Eccleston (Mainly for all the reasons you liked him. A very good layered Doctor. Grounded.) 5) Matt Smith (Very fun, quirky Doctor that was different from Ten and rose above she who shall not be named.) 6) Peter Capaldi (A darker, more serious Doctor that had a great arc. He also rose above she who shall not be named.) 7) Colin Baker (Yes, at first he's hard to take. Over time he does soften a bit and I like his personality.) 8) Sylvester McCoy (I haven't seen a ton from him... but he had a good balance of fun and seriousness.) 9) Jon Pertwee (His episodes that I've seen were very fun. His run has dated a bit like milk, though.) 10) Paul McGann (From what I've seen, I like and want more of this Doctor. Wonderful performances.) 11) Will Hartnell (The first Doctor had some very great moments and went from grumpy to softened.) 12) Peter Davison (Bland. Beyond wearing celery I can't say one thing that made him him.) 13) Jody Whittaker (Same thing with Doctor 5. Beyond the outfit there wasn't a catchphrase or character trait that struck me.) 14) War Doctor (I just don't know enough about him beyond the excellent portrayal by John Hurt.) Because I'm a grumpy old school fan who has a certain canon in my head I am not going to count the Fugitive Doctor. I must have taken some of that retcon drug they had at Torchwood I even forgot that was a thing for a while.

[@stuffyouotterlistento1461]

I agree with your rankings for 1, 2, and 3, and our 4s and 5s are the same, but reversed. That's pretty far to go so closely aligned, so I thought we were going agree overall, but you've got Capaldi at 6, and I'm not the biggest fan of his Doctor. But I've got Colin Baker (Big Finish) 6th and you've Colin Baker (generally) 7th, so maybe Capaldi was just a hiccup. But sadly, no. You've got Sylvester McCoy next, and he's dead last for me. I really dislike him. So that's where we definitely part ways. We had a good run while it lasted though.

[@MarkEdwarMurphy]

@@stuffyouotterlistento1461 Truth be told, when you go beyond 5th in rank the list is pretty fluid. I don't recall when I did this list but say I go back and watch some Third Doctor stuff (which I haven't watched a lot of) he could go up in the rankings. So could the 1st or 5th. I do have a soft spot for Colin, though, I like his almost over the top personality that seems to mask a very caring core which he shows from time to time. One Doctor which I wish they would do a mini series on is McGann. He was great in his short and I heard his audios were awesome.... he needs his time to shine. Okay, I'm rambling. Thanks for the response. :)

[@stuffyouotterlistento1461]

@@MarkEdwarMurphy Yeah, it'd probably be a bit more definitive to stratify Doctors into tiers rather than individually ranking them all against each other, and there are definitely some places where I just made a spur-of-the-moment decision to put one Doctor higher than the other, when it could easily have gone the other way on a different day. I normally cite Troughton, Tom Baker, and Tennant as my three favorites, and McCoy as my least favorite, and beyond that, I feel like things could shift around a bit. As for Colin Baker, I wasn't a big fan of him in the show (though I softened a bit on rewatch, especially with regards to his second year, where he was already beginning to soften a bit), but his Big Finish stories really redeemed the character for me. As for McGann, I think it's criminal they didn't use him in "The Day of the Doctor" rather than shoehorning in a completely new incarnation for a single story.

[@TheCagedCorvid]

I don't know if I'm just being dense here, but I'm not sure who you mean by "she who shall not be named"... I can only think of one person that qualifies for that title and she's nothing to do with Doctor Who (I hope!).

[@MarkEdwarMurphy]

@@TheCagedCorvid Clara 😁

[@Luke-lp3ex]

The first doctor is my favourite but I'm not going to pretend that it can be a bit slow to watch but I loved his development and I really liked his relationship was different with Susan than any other companion

[@Fitzroyfallz]

I love all your reasons for your order! You helped me put into words what I love about certain doctors and helped me see a new perspective with some of them too. Was surprised at how high the 7th doctor was on your list! He used to be a really big favourite of mine too. The 12th doctor is my favourite too for similar reasons. If the BBC didn’t force him to leave I wouldn’t be surprised if he would have stayed as long as Tom Baker in the role. That’s such a great tragedy to me that that didn’t happen, he really was perfect for the role and you could tell he enjoyed every minute of it. I’ve been reading 12th doctor comics to keep myself satisfied at the moment, I hope big finish will do him justice some day too. P.S. Thanks for the 6th doctor big finish recs!

[@LiivyPer]

My favorite is Smith because he really is "Just a madman with a box", and I love that The Doctor is just a time Lord who ran away with a box.

[@nightowl8477]

Oooohohohoh, poking the bear with War. A very niche bear, not many are acquainted with him.

[@eetu.pennanen]

Won't rank 5, 6 and 7 here because I haven't seen or heard enough stories from them. The ranking might change tomorrow but today it is: 1. Paul McGann 2. Christopher Eccleston 3. Peter Capaldi 4. Jon Pertwee 5. Tom Baker 6. Matt Smith 7. William Hartnell 8. Jo Martin 9. David Tennant 10. Patrick Troughton 11. John Hurt 12. Jodie Whittaker

[@gRinchY-op5vr]

I have to admit I have 2 - Baker because he was my introduction to Doctor Who, and Tennant because I enjoyed his run the most. They're both important portrayals to me

[@xxSandt21xx]

Oh, you should definitely do a list of best eras. 😊

[@emullinsstreams]

Video idea: recommended material for each doctor. I.e. episodes you recommend, audio stories, and even print ones (if it's easily discernable which Doctor it stars)

[@guslovesglue]

Capaldi is my favorite, but Davidson is a very close second - he’s the first Doctor to be defined by loss (not just Adric, but Chameleon, failing to save the Sea Devils, etc), and the only one to be regularly in over his head, muddling his way through it, and repeatedly having to settle for a less worse failure instead of a success. He’s not as good at adventuring - the character, that is, is just not as good at it and makes mistakes that have consequences and repercussions. (We see that in Capaldi’s Doctor too) And Davidson’s performance is just slightly off. Like he’s playing at being more human than he is. I also like that his petulant frustration often hovers right below his kindness, occasionally slipping out. Why does he have a gaggle of companions? He likes them well enough, but mostly he has no idea what else to do with them than drag them around with him. I offer “Black Orchid” as one of my favorite stories with him. To be fair, I don’t think other people like that story all that much.

[@AB-xj3rc]

As someone whose favourite classic is the first doctor I think the fact you haven’t seen his era in order hinders your ranking. You rightly love Capaldi due to his arc but Hartnell’s arc is just as great but I don’t think you’ve really seen how you’ve developed.

[@toshomni9478]

I find it fascinating to compare and contrast the similarities and differences with my list. Doctor Who Doctors ranked by me: 15th. -- 6th Doctor (Colin Baker): Haven't listened to any of Big Finish's stuff yet. Nothing against the actor but he was written to be so unlikeable and that's hard to overcome. 14th. -- 5th Doctor (Peter Davison): Nothing wrong with this iteration of the Doctor but he doesn't stand out as much compared to the others. 13th. -- 8th Doctor (Paul McGann): Haven't seen enough of this Doctor but very much like what there is. Reminds me a lot of Flynn Carson from The Librarians which has a lot in common with Doctor Who. 12th. -- The War Doctor (John Hurt): Another case of not having seen enough from someone who is obviously a brilliant actor to rank him any higher. 11th. -- 2nd Doctor (Patrick Troughton): Again, nothing wrong with this incarnation but he seems to have less charisma to me than a lot of them. Totally subjective judgement of course. 10th. -- 7th Doctor (Sylvester McCoy): Seemed pretty cruel the way he treated Ace, one of my favorite companions and also seems not as outstanding in terms of charisma as some others. See above. 09th. -- 1st Doctor (William Hartnell): Got to love this character because he is such a cranky old man and owns it. The Doctor's granddaughter is also one of favorite ideas for a companion. 08th. -- 3rd Doctor (Jon Pertwee): Very fond of this edition of the Doctor because he's so much like James Bond. Venusian karate for the win every time! 07th. -- 13th Doctor (Jodie Whittaker): Deserved better writing but nobody has more charisma or chemistry with her companions. Still can't deny that she's the lowest ranking of the modern revival Doctors that had a whole series. 06th. -- The Fugitive Doctor (Jo Martin): Love this actor so much and probably the one Doctor I want most to see more of. 05th. -- 4th Doctor (Tom Baker): The quintessential original Doctor in many ways and more than worthy of being ranked the best of the classic Who Doctors. 04th. -- 10th Doctor (David Tennant): So, you want the Doctor to be alien but also not too alien that he's unrelatable? That's a tough standard to meet but I love this doctor and his relationships with all his companions too much to care if he's supposedly too human. 03rd. -- 11th Doctor (Matt Smith): Nobody could argue that Matt Smith isn't alien enough to be the Doctor and his energy is so wonderful to behold. Especially loved his adventures with Amy & Rory & Clara. 02nd. -- 12th Doctor (Peter Capaldi) Surprised the heck out of me that I ended up liking him more than Matt Smith, but it all comes down to the companions in the end and Bill and Nord just had such good endings to their epic adventures and I can't help but give him the number two slot because of their friendship just being so wholesome and uplifting. 01st. -- 9th Doctor (Christopher Eccleston): I don't think he gets enough credit for defining the modern Doctor and Rose was also an absolute revelation of what a companion could be in the new Who.

[@srswriter1165]

I'm going to be honest, I don't get the love for Capaldi's Doctor. He's a fantastic actor, but the writing during his era was really uneven and outright bad in places. Don't get me wrong, he's still an okay Doctor (and the writing was better than the Jodie era), but was absolutely capable of being so much better and the stories and characterization of both him and his companions should have been so much stronger than it was. That's just my opinion, though.

[@stuffyouotterlistento1461]

I don't get the love either.

[@dominickruggiero257]

With the definitive companion I started thinking about the 10th doctor who has a different companion ever season for me it would be rose but I have a feeling a lot of people would consider it to be Donna which I do also get

[@emilyann6981]

Jodi's doctor to me was a character with so much darkness they tried to hide it was humor, leaning into the confusion and her happy for lucky nature was trying to hide something so much darker. She had a fear of the timeless child from the time it was first mentioned in ghost monument. She hid it. She hid it behind a wounderlust that was very much real but also there's a hint of severe depression.

[@jackwarren5608]

I absolutely agree. There was something definitely hiding, but her wonder of the universe was a refreshing change from some stuff before hand. I just wish they leaned into it more, as it often came across as very surface. Fingers crossed for Big Finish 🤞