The Fantasy Review’s list of Every Modern Incarnation of the Doctor Ranked From Worst to Best.
#6 – Jodie Whittaker
This might be a list of every modern incarnation of the Doctor ranked from worst to best, but I wouldn’t say that any of these actors have been bad!
So, jumping into the bottom spot on the list is Jodi Whittaker, who gave an energetic, playful version of the Doctor I think many fans appreciated, even if the writing behind the episodes was lacking…
The 13th Doctor was a lot of fun, but she was overshadowed by poor writing and a lack of deep, meaningful characterisation. It is impossible to separate the writing from the characters, even if the performance was well done, as the material Whittaker was working with just wasn’t good enough for her talent.
#5 – Ncuti Gatwa
When I do this list again in the future, Ncuti Gatwa’s 15th Doctor might jump up a few spots, but with only one season under his belt (much of which was Doctor-lite), it is hard to rank his incarnation of the Doctor much higher.
From the first moment we saw Gatwa on screen in the titular role in The Church on Ruby Road, I knew he was going to be amazing! He continues to have all the energy of Whittaker’s 13th Doctor, but is more willing to be emotional.
Again, we need to see more of the 15th Doctor before more can be said, but so far, so good – just not the best.
All the Season 1 Episodes Ranked From Worst to Best!
#4 – Christopher Eccleston
My first Doctor was Christopher Eccleston’s 9th Doctor in 2005 in the episode Rose with the automatons. Scared the crap out of a very little me, but made me fall in love with the show forever.
Eccleston gives the 9th Doctor an incredible depth. He is grieving his people, guilt-riddled for his involvement in their demise, and struggling to find his place in the world again after being at war for so long.
Luckily, he meets Rose. From her he begins to learn how he can be the person he once was. With only one season, the 9th Doctor is not given enough time for a full “redemption” arc, or even a satisfying conclusion to this character development, but this does get resolved in future incarnations.
The 9th Doctor is stern and a bit grumpy and sometimes rude, but he’s also kind, quiet, and has a good sense of humour.
#3 – Matt Smith
On any given day, my top three Doctors can change, but for the most part I would have to put Matt Smith’s 11th Doctor at number three.
This incarnation of the Doctor is the character, arguably, at his most EPIC (yes, all-caps). I mean, have you seen The Pandorica Opens? His confidence and swagger in the face of armies upon armies of his greatest enemies is astounding, and very unlike 10’s hubris as it is used here for false bravado, rather than becoming some kind of lord over all time.
Steven Moffatt took Doctor Who in a slightly different direction with these seasons, making them more fairytale-like, and it works perfectly. Matt Smith’s Raggedy Man is the ultimate fairytale found at the bottom of the garden in his magic box.
#2 – David Tennant x2
There are subtle differences between the 10th and the 14th Doctors, however I have put them together in this list of every modern incarnation of the Doctor ranked because they are great for essentially the same reasons.
Plus, 14 is basically just a more grown-up version of 10.
So, despite Eccleston being my first Doctor, my first true love in Doctor Who was David Tennant’s 10th Doctor, and for many years he remained my favourite, despite Matt Smith’s amazing portrayal.
The 10th Doctor is funny, charming, clever, and sexy, but he has a harder, darker side too, that comes from his 9th incarnation. This is where we see the character development that began with Eccleston’s Doctor continue, first with Rose, then he’s horrible to Martha, but then, finally, Donna sorts him out!
When the face returns for the 14th Doctor, it is fitting that Donna returns as well, and he “retires”, living with his best friend and her family. The closure for this war-torn incarnation is probably the best we will ever get for the character who is otherwise always on the move, into the next battle.
#1 – Peter Capaldi
Now, you might be confused. That’s okay. You can chill. Peter Capaldi’s 12th Doctor is my absolute favourite of the modern era.
His run started off a little… wobbly. I did not like the 12th Doctor’s first season (other than two underrated episodes), and his second was mediocre, but his third and final season with Bill Potts was almost a perfect season of Doctor Who and solidified him as one of the best Doctors of all time.
Everything about Capaldi’s portrayal of the Doctor was perfect. Regenerating from Matt Smith’s young, flirty, childish version into an older form was a shock to both the Doctor and his companion (Clara Oswald), but he readjusts and comes into his own.
The 12th Doctor has elements of 10 (playing God), 9 (anger at injustice), and 11 (playfulness). These elements merge together to create what I think is the greatest version of the Doctor we have seen since Tom Baker.
