Doctor Who
Doctor Who is a British science-fiction television series about the Doctor, a time-travelling alien who explores time and space in the TARDIS, often with human companions.
Doctor Who is a British science-fiction television series about the Doctor, a time-travelling alien who explores time and space in the TARDIS, often with human companions. The original series began in 1963, and the modern revival began in 2005. By 2025, the role had been played on screen by 15 actors, with the most recent being Ncuti Gatwa and the character regenerating after his tenure ended.
Premise
Doctor Who centres on the Doctor, an alien Time Lord who travels through time and space in the TARDIS. Stories typically pair the Doctor with companions and place them in science-fiction and historical adventures.
Broadcast history
The programme first aired in 1963 and ran until 1989 before returning in a revived form in 2005. The BBC remains the main broadcaster of the series.
The Doctor
The title character is recast over time through regeneration, allowing different actors to play the role. By 2025, 15 actors had portrayed the Doctor on screen, beginning with William Hartnell and most recently Ncuti Gatwa.
Recent developments
Ncuti Gatwa portrayed the Fifteenth Doctor from 2023 to 2025 and left the role after the broadcast of "The Reality War." Reports at the time indicated the character regenerated at the end of his tenure.
Key facts
- Doctor Who began broadcasting in 1963 on the BBC.
- The series follows the Doctor, a Time Lord from Gallifrey, travelling in the TARDIS.
- William Hartnell portrayed the First Doctor in the original 1963 series.
- As of 2025, 15 actors had headlined the Doctor role on screen, including Ncuti Gatwa as the Fifteenth Doctor.
- Ncuti Gatwa’s final episode as the Doctor aired on 31 May 2025.
Doctor Who has a long-standing Canadian fan base and has been broadcast and discussed widely in Canadian media; it is also part of the broader Anglophone pop-culture landscape familiar to Canadian viewers.
Frequently asked questions
Who is the current Doctor Who?
How many Doctors Who are there?
What is Doctor Who about?
When did Doctor Who start?
Is Doctor Who coming back in 2025?
Who played the first Doctor?
References
- Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doctor_WhoSupports: Original 1963 start, revived 2005 era, premise, and count of actors who have played the Doctor.
- Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fifteenth_DoctorSupports: Ncuti Gatwa as the Fifteenth Doctor, tenure, and 2025 departure.
- Doctor Who (BBC) — https://www.doctorwho.tv/news-and-features/ncuti-gatwa-says-final-farewell-to-the-tardis-as-the-fifteenth-doctor-regeneratesSupports: Gatwa’s final episode and regeneration in 2025.
- BBC News — https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-61371123Supports: Gatwa casting announcement and identification as the 14th actor to play the Doctor at the time of announcement.
- BBC News — https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-23570354Supports: William Hartnell as the first Doctor and the show’s long-running BBC context.
- Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_actors_who_have_played_the_DoctorSupports: Count of actors who have portrayed the Doctor and listing of William Hartnell as the First Doctor.