How Many Actors Have Played the Doctor in Doctor Who?

The question of who has played the role of the Doctor is a complex one, with many twists and turns. Since 1963, the iconic character of the Doctor has been portrayed by a total of 23 actors, including the newest one, who has yet to debut his tenure on the show. Let's delve into the journey of the Doctor and explore the actors who have brought this beloved character to life.

The Big Thirteen: The Main Actors

The most well-known actors who have played the Doctor are:

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

Lesser-Known Variations and Actors

However, the journey of the Doctor is not just about these 13 actors. There have been instances where other actors stepped into the role for various reasons:

Richard Hurndall: Played the First Doctor in "The Five Doctors." David Bradley: Played a version of the Doctor in "Twice Upon A Time." Peter Cushing: Played variations of the Doctor in two movies, which are worth mentioning due to their significant impact on the character's lore.

In addition to these, there have been instances of stunt doubles playing the role of the Doctor. For example, during the action-laden seasons, several stunt doubles stood in for the Doctors, especially during fight scenes involving Jon Pertwee. Notably, there is an episode of "The Chase" in which the Daleks build a robot replica of William Hartnell and the two Doctors fight. It's arguable that the body double was playing both roles at different points.

Cloud of Uncertainty: John Hurt, Jo Martin, and More

The question becomes even more complicated with:

John Hurt: He played a character referred to as the War Doctor, but he did not take the name of Doctor. Interestingly, he is frequently referred to as the War Doctor in the series. Jo Martin: Played the Fugitive Doctor, adding another layer of complexity to the list of actors. Proto-Doctors: There's a montage of proto-Doctors in "The Timeless Children" that raises the question of whether all of them should be counted as separate actors. The Morbius Doctors: Members of the production team have portrayed faces on a screen in "The Brain of Morbius," which technically don't count as they are not officially actors. This, however, can be debated.

In the realm of Big Finish productions, where The Doctor is voiced by a lot of different actors, situations like Matt Smith not being available for recording, leading to an actor with a similar voice being found, further add to the complexity.

Lastly, stageshows and other actors performing as the Doctor also add to the mix. Despite their limited documentary, they contribute to the extensive legacy of the Doctor.

Conclusion

The question of how many actors have played the Doctor in Doctor Who is indeed a surprisingly difficult one. While there have been 23 main actors, the additional actors and the complexity of the various cases bring the number to a significant figure. The role of the Doctor is complex and multifaceted, and the legacy of the character is best appreciated through his various incarnations.