How Many Doctor Who's Have There Been?

Eleven actors have played Doctor Who in total either in the cinema or in the BBC television series. William Hartnell was the first in the title role when the series started in 1963, though Peter Cushing took over for two cinematic films that were made in 1965 and 1966. Patrick Troughton succeeded Hartnell as the television doctor in 1966. Jon Pertwee took over three years later. Tom Baker became the longest running doctor between the years of 1974 and 1981. Peter Davidson came next, followed by Colin Baker and Sylvester McCoy before the series was cancelled in 1989. A one-off television film was made in 1996 with Paul McGann in the leading role.

When the series re-started in 2005, Christopher Eccleston took on the part of the doctor for one season only, being succeeded by David Tennant.

A number of other actors have played the part of the Doctor in other forms of production, including stage, audio book, webcasts and television spoofs.