Talk:List of actors who have played the Doctor

Cleanup
This page is in need of a format cleanup. It's very, very cluttered. --khaosworks 02:41, Jun 16, 2005 (UTC)
 * I note that a June 18, 2005 date is given for the end of Eccleston's tenure as the Doctor. As we have yet to see Parting of the Ways here in Canada I can't confirm, but am assuming someone in the UK has seen the episode and posted this information. However if this was posted as speculation -- as far as I know there are still strong rumors the changeover will occur in the Christmas special -- then someone should check to make sure it is indeed accurate once Parting of the Ways airs in the UK. 23skidoo 16:02, 18 Jun 2005 (UTC)


 * Just seen the episode. He did regenerate. --bjwebb 19:24, 18 Jun 2005 (UTC)

Extra column
There's an extra column that is blank. Can someone who is in a more lucid state than I am at the moment figure out how to get rid of it? --khaosworks 18:42, Jun 20, 2005 (UTC)
 * I can't see one!! --bjwebb 19:08, 20 Jun 2005 (UTC)
 * Well, Tim! fixed it. :) Thanks, Tim. --khaosworks 19:10, Jun 20, 2005 (UTC)
 * Just don't ask how... it's a secret :p Tim! (talk) 19:35, 20 Jun 2005 (UTC)

List of actors who were considered for the role of the Doctor
I remember there was an issue of SFX that focused foremost on the enduring legacy and franchise of Doctor Who. Therein, there was a segment that concerned actors who were the most considered for the role of the various regenerations of the Doctor.

Even though this list concerns those who have played him, wouldn't it be an interesting other segment for there to be a segment herein on actors who possibly would have played the role? Sources would be cited of course, though I s'pose some of which would end up being rumours as there was a time when people thought John Cleese was being considered or even David Hasselhoff in some proposed Americanised version in the 90s..DrWho42 18:56, 1 May 2006 (UTC)


 * Originally published in SFX's issue 45, December 1998...
 * Who's Not Who?
 * First Doctor: Hugh David, Cyril Cusack, and Leslie French.
 * Second Doctor: Valentine Dyall, Rupert Davies, and Michael Hordern.
 * Third Doctor: Ron Moody.
 * Fourth Doctor: Fulton McKay, Graham Crowden, Richard Hearne, Michael Bentine, and Jim Dale.
 * Fifth Doctor: Richard Griffiths.
 * Sixth Doctor ...
 * Seventh Doctor: Tony Robinson, Ken Campbell, Dermot Crowley, Hugh Futcher
 * Eighth Doctor: Liam Cunningham, Robert Lindsay, Tony Slattery, Mark McGann, Michael Crawford, Anthony Head, and John Sessions.

[It's under 'The Nearly Doctors' in my SFX Doctor Who Special.. ]DrWho42 22:50, 3 May 2006 (UTC)

Christmas Invasion?
Do we need to include the Christmas Invasion in the "Other appearances" column for the Tenth Doctor? I suppose it's a "special" episode, but it's part of Tennant's normal tenure as the Doctor. The "Other appearances" column should be for appearances beyond what's accounted for between "first appearance" and "last appearance". We (rightly) don't have The Five Doctors listed in "Other appearances" for Peter Davison. The CiN scene and "Attack of the Graske" are out of the ordinary, and so can be listed, but I think we don't need to list The Christmas Invasion. —Josiah Rowe (talk • contribs) 16:34, 13 June 2006 (UTC)

Fatal Death
Why are the Fatal Death Doctors listed here, if the article explicitly states that actors who only appeared as the Doctor in sendups are not used. smurrayinch e  ster( User ), ( Talk ) 19:51, 29 June 2006 (UTC)

Fatal Death actors should be mentioned because it is part of the official releases of the BBC.


 * So, how about Mark Gatiss from "Web of Caves"? Rhindle The Red 20:10, 7 August 2006 (UTC)

This was released by the BBC, but it was intended to be a spoof. Wouldn't it then be most accurate to count them as "Spoof" as well? 2602:306:CD24:B340:CD9A:19E4:5D0C:C491 (talk) 18:33, 14 February 2013 (UTC)

It was fine before thanks
There was no need to stuff around with the table or change the Richard Hurndall picture. Thanks anyway. Nettyboo
 * Please don't revert an improvement to a page without discussing it first, especially when such discussion was specifically requested. The table version to which you reverted is unclear, as actors who played a role more than once are on separate lines with the next line blank, making it seem as though the actor is unknown rather than the same actor; other unneeded repetitions are made.  Many of the images are of the actor not in the role they are playing, which is not useful for the page; these were removed or replaced with proper images.  If there is a specific problem with the new table, please address it rather than wholesale reverting, as I don't believe that is justified.   Shannernanner   20:43, 2 November 2006 (UTC)
 * I devised the original table, so I'm fussy with it. The photo you put in of Richard Hurndall was of four people, so the other one is much better.  The new table you devised is really messy and confusing.  I think it is much better the way it was.  It makes no difference whatsoever if the word 'Audio' is written many times.Nettyboo
 * I do not find your comment constructive; it makes it seem as though you will "tolerate no edits" to "your" table. This is not conducive to the purpose or atmosphere of Wikipedia.
 * As for the specific issues you addressed, the image of Richard Hurndall was from the production listed, as opposed to a general image of him. If an image only of him in the production could be uploaded, that would be even better, but the image used is already on Wikipedia, and I think it is better than an image not applicable to the article.  And if that doesn't make a difference, then I guess it's just as good the other way.   Shannernanner   20:48, 3 November 2006 (UTC)

Edmund Warwick
He didn't actually play the Doctor, per se. He played a robot that looked like the Doctor and stood in for Hartnell. Not enough to be considered for this list, I think. We wouldn't include stunt doubles would we? Rhindle The Red 15:09, 19 January 2007 (UTC)

Tenures: defined by credits or what was actually broadcast?
This is probably an exceedingly silly question, but I'm not quite sure what the criterion are for establishing the tenures of Doctors. The way I look at it, Pertwee was in Robot, part 1. And Baker is very definitely in Castrovalva, part 1 (speaking part and everything). Are we going by just what's in the credit roll, then? If so, why? And shouldn't it be noted somewhere? I'm not sure it's obvious (to the non-fan) why you would say that Davison is in Logopolis (where he has no lines), but Baker isn't in "'Castrovalva"' (where he does).

I think there's room for debate on whether the "credited appearance" criterion is better than the "viewer perception" criterion. How ever that discussion settles itself, the results of that debate should be noted on the table via a footnote on the column heading. CzechOut 01:50, 28 April 2007 (UTC)

McCoy: TVM handling appropriate
Along the same lines of the topic above, I'm not comfortable saying McCoy's "last appearance" was Survival Part 3. It wasn't. The TVM can't be an "other appearance" for the Seventh Doctor but the main tenure for the Eighth. It's gotta be treated equally for both Doctors. Not only doesn't it match the viewer perception of what was on screen, but it denies the production credits, where McCoy was a featured player. The table is internally inconsistent on its tenure criterion if McCoy is treated in this way. CzechOut 01:57, 28 April 2007 (UTC)

McCoy is the first actor to officially play two Doctors.
Although didn't Pertwee play two versions of himself (or was that just in a novel?) and having thought about it further, didn't Hartnell play both himself and the Robot Doctor?DavidFarmbrough 13:31, 17 October 2007 (UTC)
 * Technically, though, he was just playing two versions of the same Doctor. Similarly Jon Pertwee appeared as two different manifestations of his Doctor in Day of the Daleks, and Christopher Eccleston appeared as Doctorx2 in Father's Day. Besides, as I understand it another actor played the role of the robot Doctor. 68.146.41.232 15:22, 13 November 2007 (UTC)

Added Davison appearance
I've added Peter Davison's return to the role in Time Crash. Since it's the cover feature of this week's BBC Radio Times, as well as the cover feature of this month's Doctor Who Magazine, I think those two are pretty irrefutable sources. 68.146.41.232 15:22, 13 November 2007 (UTC)

Stand-ins and Stunt Doubles
Is there a reason why stand-ins and stunt doubles from the TV Series should not be included in the list of actors who have portrayed the Doctor? This page is a logical place to list them (at least give them their own table under other actors), without having to create (or go to) another page. Ta! HolroydHistory 01:51, 12 January 2008 (UTC)


 * Yes there is a reason. It's not normal to consider stunt doubles as "actors" for these purposes. DJ Clayworth (talk) 20:51, 26 March 2008 (UTC)

10th/11th
I tagged the statement "Alternative Tenth Doctor (partly regenerated half-human and half-Time Lord)." for a citation and got reverted twice, as it comes from "primary source", where exactly does this information come from. The episode makes no mention of this being the same incarnation, and confidential seemed to deliberately leave the issue of incarnation ambiguious Fasach Nua (talk) 08:37, 11 July 2008 (UTC)


 * After the other Doctor is formed, he specifically states "I'm part Time Lord, Part Human" (and isn't exactly pleased with the idea) - and it is also stated later on Bad Wolf Bay when The proper Doctor leaves him with Rose. As for the 10th/11th bit, The Doctor stated that he "didn't need to change" suggesting that he is still the 10th.  You have already asked about that on WT:WHO. 86.154.185.86 (talk) 15:05, 11 July 2008 (UTC)
 * In addition, Rose asks the (proper) Doctor if it is still him, to which he replies "it's still me" and Both Doctors state that they are the same person (eg on Bad Wolf Bay, and after The other Doctor destroys the Daleks) 86.154.185.86 (talk) 15:07, 11 July 2008 (UTC)
 * There is nothing there to indicate that this is the 10th Doctor, all the Doctors are the same person regardless of incarnation Fasach Nua (talk) 12:46, 13 July 2008 (UTC)

He say "I didn't need to change" - and that he stopped the regeneration going all the way. That can only mean that he is still the tenth. 86.154.185.86 (talk) 19:16, 14 July 2008 (UTC)
 * That says nothing about the other Doctor, is he 10th or 11th? Fasach Nua (talk) 07:47, 16 July 2008 (UTC)
 * It seems the 11th doctor has been chosen to be someone else from this http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/tv_and_radio/article4760926.ece . shadzar-talk 04:52, 16 September 2008 (UTC)
 * Not really. If you read the actual source, it's just Russell T. Davies saying that he would cast Russell Tovey as the 11th Doctor if he had the chance — which he very likely won't, since David Tennant is staying through the 2009 specials at least.  The exact quote is "Russell Tovey as Midshipman Frame, which is my favourite casting of the lot, because he's going to be huge, that man. He's amazing. I think I'd make him the Eleventh Doctor."  He said the same thing about Harry Lloyd in a commentary.  The 11th Doctor probably hasn't been cast, and when he or she is, it won't be announced like that. —Josiah Rowe (talk • contribs) 06:05, 16 September 2008 (UTC)

11th Doctor
In the article, Matt Smith is said to be the 11th doctor. Are there any sources yet? The BBC show announcing it ends in 10 mins, and it's likely to be another 5-7 mins before they say. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 92.24.102.145 (talk) 17:58, 3 January 2009 (UTC)

Nevermind, they just showed him 92.24.102.145 (talk) 18:00, 3 January 2009 (UTC)

Nicholas Briggs
Hi,

If we are including Jackson Lake, I have added Gideon Crane, played by Nicholas Briggs in "Minuet in Hell", as this character also called himself the Doctor, when the Eighth Doctor's mind merged with his.

I have also expanded Nicholas Briggs' footnote to include information on the DWM comic character of the future/"Ninth" Doctor, which was also based on Brigg's Audio Visuals Doctor.

Ta! —Preceding HolroydHistory comment added by Special:Contributions/ 06:55, 6 January 2009 (UTC)

Archive footage, Flashbacks & Regeneration recaps
Hi again,

I noticed that in the "Other appearances" section for the main Doctors that there are "Archive footage" notes for both Earthshock (1st, 2nd, 3rd & 4th Doctors) and The Next Doctor (1st -9th Doctors). In that case should the 1st-4th Doctors get an "Archive footage" credit for both Mawdryn Undead and Resurrection of the Daleks?

Then there are both Day to the Daleks and The Brain of Morbius where previous Doctor's appear as stills (on the Dalek's screen while probing the Third Doctor's mind during the former, and of course the infamous mind bending sequence in part 4 of the latter). Do these get included?

I also noticed that Christopher Eccleston gets a mention in "Other appearances" for the recap in the Children in Need Special, of the regeneration in Parting of the Ways. Should Jon Pertwee get mentioned in Robot, and Tom Baker in Castrovalva for appearing under similar circumstances?

Speaking of regeneratins, Jon Pertwee might need an "Other appearance" for the stage play Doctor Who and the Seven Keys to Doomsday. My understanding was that Jon appeared in a filmed sequence which formed part of the regeneration into Trevor Martin (mind you that is what I have read only).

Also (final also, I promise) hasn't the Ninth Doctor appeared in a number of flashbacks in the new series. Do these count as "Other appearances"? —Preceding HolroydHistory comment added by Special:Contributions/ 07:38, 6 January 2009 (UTC)

David Morrissey
I do not think that David Morrissey qualifies as portraying the doctor, it would be more correct to say that he portrays a character who thinks he's the doctor. As it is completely resolved in the story, and a plot device I believe that he should be removed. This page lists canocial and non-canocal portrayals of the character called the Doctor, David Morrissey does not qualify. If you disagree, then I'll conceed only if we remove Paul McGann, since for a large part of the one episode he is in, he doesn't actually know who he is, and therefore does not think he is the Doctor. If Jackson Lake believing he is the Doctor for part of an episode qualifies him to be here, then the Eighth Doctor believing he isn't the Doctor should disqualify him. SJrX10 (talk) 06:28, 9 January 2009 (UTC)


 * David Morrissey did not portray the Doctor. He portrayed a character that portrayed the Doctor. We can't start listing everyone who ever impersonated or mimicked the Doctor. Dr.Who (talk) 06:31, 9 January 2009 (UTC)


 * You are both correct that David Morrissey "portrays a character who think's he's the doctor", for part of the episode David Morrissey plays "The Doctor", which is why he was under the Other Doctor listing. Under your criteria, this means that both the Gideon Crane character under Nicholas Briggs entry (similar to Catherine Tate's DoctorDonna in that he actually had the Doctor's memories, albeit temporarily for most of the story he appeared in) and the Sir Derek Jacobi entry (who played a delusional writer who thought he was the Doctor) should also be removed from the Other Doctor list.  I notice that Catherine Tate's entry for DoctorDonna has also been removed (I assume for similar reasons), though I would point out that in Donna's case she didn't just think she was the Doctor, she actually became part Doctor, but had her Doctor memories repressed (which should qualify her as a Doctor, just like the other 10th Doctor played by David Tennant in the same story).  While I think that Catherine Tate should deffinately be reinstated under the Other Doctors listing (for reasons outlined above).  I'll concede the other three, but personally think the Briggs, Jacobi and Morrissey characters should also be included in the list because these actors have played for all intents and purposes other Doctors in the TV series or audios.  SJrX10, it is ludicrous to even suggest that Paul McGann should not be listed as the Doctor.  If we applied your criteria then Peter Davison isn't a Doctor, because the Fifth Doctor didn't know who he was for a large part of Castrovalva.  Hmmmm.  —Preceding HolroydHistory comment added by Special:Contributions (talk) 17:45, 11 January 2009 (UTC)

Actor Duplication
As this article is a "List of actors who have played the Doctor" then surely Sylvester McCoy & David Tennant should not be listed under the "other Doctors" section. They have played the Doctor and are credited as such in the main list. I dont see how it is relevant that one wore a wig for a regeneration and one played a part human version of the Doctor. Deckchair (talk) 12:34, 20 February 2009 (UTC)

Include Richard Hurndall's performance as The First Doctor in 1983
Richard Hurndall uniquely played the part of The First Doctor in 1983, long after the original actor (William Hartnell) had died; on this basis, he should be included in this grid: Actors who have played an official Doctor in television series

Name Tenure First appearance Last appearance Other appearances William Hartnell (The First Doctor) 23 November 1963 to 29 October 1966 An Unearthly Child Episode 1 The Tenth Planet Episode 4 Television: The Power of the Daleks - 5 November 1966 (appears briefly as an image in a mirror the newly regenerated Second Doctor looks into) Television: The Three Doctors - 30 December 1972 to 20 January 1973 Television: Earthshock (archive footage) - 10 March 1982 Television: Mawdryn Undead (archive footage) - 2 February 1983 Television: The Five Doctors (archive footage) - 23 November 1983 Television: Resurrection of the Daleks (archive footage) - 15 February 1984 Television: "The Next Doctor" (archive footage) - 25 December 2008

Richard Hurndall (The First Doctor) 23 November 1983 Television: The Five Doctors - 23 November 1983

In my opinion, Richard Hurndall qualifies as an "Actor who has played an official Doctor in television series"; the description 'First Doctor' applies to the role, and not to the actor! Nitramrekcap (talk) 15:30, 10 March 2009 (UTC)

A good argument - but did he play the Doctor more than Michael Jayston did? Is he not the Doctor also? As therefore is Geoffrey Hughes. It is an argument but then I think you need to add many more to this part of the list. I personally would remove. --TheTrulyMadOne (talk) 15:54, 31 August 2011 (UTC)

Your arguments for including Hurndall along with the 'official' list of 11 Doctors has merit in so far as his appearance was canonical, not a spoof, not a dream, not a parallel reality, not a paradox, etc, etc, and not even a different medium. However, the BBC calls Matt Smith "The Eleventh Doctor" for a reason and sticks to that straight list of succession in all its calendars, swag, and promotions. Even waving all that aside, that table in this article is currently labeled "Series leads." If Hurndall is going to stay, at a minimum the title should change somewhat since he was never a series lead. [copied because this topic appears to be split into two areas now]. jg (talk) 13:35, 4 August 2013 (UTC)

Actors who have played an official Doctor in television series
Matt Smith CANNOT be included under the above heading as he has not yet played The Doctor of course; ironically someone (Richard Hurndall) who did play The Doctor is not included, but he should be! Sorry to have inadvertently messed up the two tables, but historically both are wrong: Richard Hurndall played The First Doctor in 1983, Matt Smith has NOT yet played him.

Nitramrekcap (talk) 15:46, 10 March 2009 (UTC)


 * It's 2010 now and Matt Smith has played him. Doesn't your post look just silly now.129.139.1.68 (talk) 18:40, 5 August 2010 (UTC)

Actors who have played an official Doctor in television series
The above heading is grammatically incorrect, if Matt Smith is included - as he has NOT played!

Until 2010 arrives (assuming that Matt Smith does play the role), I now suggest a change to:

'Actors who have played or will play an official Doctor in television series'

But it still begs the question: why exclude Richard Hurndall from the list as he did - in 1983?

Nitramrekcap (talk) 21:01, 10 March 2009 (UTC)


 * If you want it to be totally correct, it should be "Actors who have played, are playing or will play an official Doctor in television series"; but that is simply too long. I order to keep the title and section headers as short as possible, we have to cut corners a little. Don't let the content depend solely on the title or section header. — Edokter  •  Talk  • 21:17, 10 March 2009 (UTC)


 * He is listed under "Other Actors who played the Doctor" so he's not excluded from the page in that sense - and I don't think it makes that much of a diference as to whether he's in the first table or second table. Either way, there should probably be some sort of note explaining the reason for why he was playing the First Doctor- and that it was for The Five Doctors only.
 * As for Matt smith - I think he should stay, but I would suggest that a reference is added to a web page with his announcement, and noting that he will not take over from Tennent till 2010. Eleventh Doctor (talk) 16:29, 18 March 2009 (UTC)

In the future, I'd recommend a separate table "Actors confirmed to play the Doctor in future episodes" that can be easily edited into the original table. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 2602:306:CD24:B340:CD9A:19E4:5D0C:C491 (talk) 18:46, 14 February 2013 (UTC)

Split Unbound Doctors to a different table?
Should the Unbound doctors be split into a different table? The table is getting a bit large - so this would help to split it up into different areas - The header would be something like "Unbound Doctors". Eleventh Doctor (talk) 11:40, 18 March 2009 (UTC)

I wouldn't split the Unbound Doctors from the Other Doctors list. I would be more inclind to create a new list for the so-called "Spoof" Doctors, Rowan Atkinson, et al from Curse of Fatal Death, and Mark Gatiss (Doctor Who night sketch). But that might mean people would start adding "Doctors" from other comedy sketches, such as Ronnie Barker, Lenny Henry, Jim Broadbent, Steve Vizard (for Australians), etc.

I still think that there should be a seperate list on this page for stand-in actors and stunt doubles who "played" the Doctor in the series, such as Edmund Warwick, Terry Walsh, Sylvester McCoy's 6th Doctor stint, etc. This is the ideal page for this list.

Ta! —Preceding unsigned comment added by Special:Contributions/HolroydHistory (talk) 01:53, 26 March 2009 (UTC)

Toby Jones? (Amy's Choice)
Does he count? --Billpg (talk) 20:28, 23 May 2010 (UTC)

McCoy, Morrissey?
Not being expert at this, I have two problems: 1) do we need to mention in the list the fact that McCoy was hidden under a blond wig before he appeared as the Doctor? This seems a superfluous and unnecessary burden to the list as it is. 2) Morrissey in "The Next Doctor" was a rotten tease, a Victorian-era human who had accidentally been infused with Tennant's memories and a tiny part of "personality". He does NOT belong on a list of people who played the Doctor. Can we get a concensus going here about the removal of these two facts from the info, and re-tool the Morrissey Problem? (I'll try and do it meself...please leave me alone about this, revert it if you don't care for it.) As I said, Morrisey was NEVER the Doctor, and as far as McCoy it doesn't matter that he was wearing a blond wig before he debuted.75.21.98.232 (talk) 09:55, 30 May 2010 (UTC)


 * I can agree with the edit re. Morrissey but I wouldn't change the McCoy part. McCoy did play the 6th Doctor during that scene, so it's correct to list him as a actor who played the 6th Doctor other than C. Baker. It's irrelevant why he did so or how long, just that he did so. Regards  So Why  10:54, 30 May 2010 (UTC)

Special case
Hello, If we are keeping the Special case "list", I suggest it be renamed Actors who have played characters who were thought to be the Doctor (I am open to suggestions on how to shorten this). At the moment this category has David Morrisey who played Jackson Lake. However, this is not the only circumstance of someone claiming to be the Doctor, or someone having the Doctor's memories. There are already two instances listed in the Other actors who played the Doctor list - Nicholas Briggs' entry for Gideon Crane (essentially the same reason as Jackson Lake); and Derek Jacobi's entry. Jacobi played the character Martin Bannister, a writer who thought he was the Doctor. Both these entries make more sense with Morrisey's entry. The following actors/characters would also fit into this list: Christopher Biggins' Banto Zame, from The One Doctor (a con-man claiming to be the Doctor); and Catherine Tate as Donna Noble/Doctor-Donna (who also had the Doctor's memories). —Preceding unsigned comment added by HolroydHistory (talk • contribs) 00:57, 23 June 2010 (UTC)

Spoof Doctors
If Spoof Doctors are not supposed to be listed, why are Lenny Henry (who isn't even in chronological order), Mark Gatiss and the Fatal Death Doctors included in the Other Actors list? There is now a link to the Doctor Who Spoofs page, where all these Spoof Doctors (and more) are listed. I do love Curse of Fatal Death and all the Doctors in that story, but they are Spoof Doctors. —Preceding unsigned comment added by HolroydHistory (talk • contribs) 01:05, 23 June 2010 (UTC)

Hurndall
Per WP:BOLD I've moved Hurndall from the secondary section to the main section. Hurndall is different from the appearance of, say, the Valeyard of the Watcher, as he explicitly appeared as the First Doctor and was credited, along with all the others, as The Doctor in The Five Doctors credits. He's not appearing as some alternate form of the Doctor, a what-if character, or a duplicate, but merely one of the 5 Doctors appearing that episode. On that basis, and the criteria we've used the for the list, Hurndall should properly be included there. -  Chrism  would like to hear from you 23:49, 18 April 2011 (UTC)

I agree. Richard Hurndall replaced the late William Hartnell as the first incarnation. --Keith 16:13, 31 August 2011 (UTC)

Your arguments for including Hurndall along with the 'official' list of 11 Doctors has merit in so far as his appearance was canonical, not a spoof, not a dream, not a parallel reality, not a paradox, etc, etc, and not even a different medium. However, the BBC calls Matt Smith "The Eleventh Doctor" for a reason and sticks to that straight list of succession in all its calendars, swag, and promotions. Even waving all that aside, that table in this article is currently labeled "Series leads." If Hurndall is going to stay, at a minimum the title should change somewhat since he was never a series lead. jg (talk) 02:58, 18 July 2013 (UTC)

Peter Cushing and Other actors who have played the Doctor
The section is "Other actors who have played the Doctor", which means any version of the character such as movies, stage plays, etc. There is no debate in regards to Peter Cushing having played a character in movies that were directly based on the a couple of stories from the TV show. There may be a "debate" on whether the character in question is remotely similar to the TV version, but that is irrelevant to the list. Also, he's mentioned in documentaries such as Thirty Years in the TARDIS as having played a cinematic version, so there are sources that he played...a cinematic version of the character. Please don't change the list to something that the list was not meant to reflect. As for Donna Noble...please cite a reliable source. DonQuixote (talk) 18:34, 31 August 2011 (UTC)

Cannot agree with this. Firstly, as the text at the top of the page states clearly "played the title character of the Doctor on television and in various BBC-licensed spin-offs on television, stage, radio, film, audio plays and webcasts". The BBC opposed the films. It is in no way, shape or form BBC licensed. So no, he does not play the Doctor according to what it says on the page. He was only called Doctor the same way that I call the dr at my local surgery "doctor" instead of "Dr McCarthy". Do you call your dr by the full name every time. Saying he is called "dr" in the films is a silly argument - so are thousands of characters on BBC TV. Also I own an old Doctor Who Quiz Book (that no, I do not have in front of me - it is at my parent's house.) explicitly stated that he didn't. If I find this and can quote the source, I assume you will not argue if it is replaced here as this is BBC endorsed? I also know that in DWAS organised quizzes he was not considered to be the Doctor. As for Donna - the episodes state clearly that she was "The Doctor Donna". I added her ages ago to a list of people who had played the Doctor as this is what is stated on the show that she did. Someone moved her out of this section. Why, when someone else has removed it contradicting what was clearly stated on the show am I the one who has to find the debate? Don't you think this a little unreasonable. How about if it is put back into the other people who played the Doctor? It would be objected to by some. There is no clear place for it to go. I really do find your arguments to be at least as silly as you find mine. I have changed back one final time until we can hear from other sources apart from you and me so we have a few more opinions. There have been no discussions on other changes I have seen on this list that there have clearly not been debate on. You just are self important enough to assume your opinion is correct. So as other changes have stayed until debate, I trust you agree this should to until others comment. Fair enough? The thing that I find most contemptable is not only reverting the page but going and removing the reference that there is a debate as it doesn't fit his worldview. How tragic. BTW, why didn't you start a debate before changing someone's comments back in the first place? Yes, I would like an answer to this. --TheTrulyMadOne (talk) 21:23, 31 August 2011 (UTC)
 * Er...no you didn't provide a reference. Please see WP:CITE. And your statement about the films being unlicensed contradicts reliable sources such as Thirty Years in the TARDIS. Peter Cushing's character is well-documented to be based on the TV series' character, and that's why he's on the list (BBC-licensed film). As for Donna, please provide a reliable source that mentions whatever debate you're talking about. DonQuixote (talk) 22:02, 31 August 2011 (UTC)
 * Forgot to mention...yes, we can debate whether Peter Cushing's character is "The Doctor" or not, but that's irrelevant to the goal of the list, which is to list actors in film, stage, etc. who have played a character based on the original character ("The Doctor" from the original medium, television). DonQuixote (talk) 22:12, 31 August 2011 (UTC)

So the arguement is really about "where" his entry should be placed on this page, rather then "if" it should be placed. Obviously Cushing does not qualify for "Actors in the official television continuity" section. To me as a ten year old going to the cinema when it was FIRST released, he was another actor playing the Doctor only now for the cinema - no question back then in 1965. Fast Forward 30 years and The Nitpickers came along, I'd grown many years, and we all grew up knowing the back story, and therfore he then became an alternate timeline Doctor. Therefore he does rate an entry under what is titled here as "Other actors who played the Doctor" --Keith 22:35, 31 August 2011 (UTC)

Peter Davison radio plays
Per the McGann entry, which includes the Big Finish audios that were broadcast on Radio 7, Peter Davison recently had some of his Big Finish plays broadcast on Radio 4 Extra (or was it still Radio 7?) recently, so ought to be included. I've forgotten which ones they were, otherwise I'd add them Stephenb (Talk) 06:41, 1 September 2011 (UTC)

Actors who played characters thought to be the Doctor
Regarding the inappropriate revert by Stephenb, who wrote " ... So, err, he didn't actually *play the Doctor*, just pretended!":

The name of the table is  Actors who played characters thought to be the Doctor

jg (talk) 12:27, 17 July 2013 (UTC).


 * Good point, I've re-reverted myself. Sorry. Although it's an odd table to have in a page which says it is about actors who *have* played the Doctor! Stephenb (Talk) 13:41, 17 July 2013 (UTC)

The original edit had the table name in the entry description as well as in the article. After reverting your first revert I added this entry on the talk page and you STILL reverted it again. If you don't want to develop a reputation for vandalism you need to look at what you're doing before you mindlessly erase someone's contributions. Leave this article to people who are thoughtful and care about its content. Bullying is unbecoming and immature, so grow up. jg (talk) 13:54, 17 July 2013 (UTC)


 * Uncalled for Stephenb (Talk) 14:40, 17 July 2013 (UTC)

Reverting something you never bothered to read first is what's uncalled for. jg (talk) 13:44, 4 August 2013 (UTC)


 * And I apologised for that, both in my second edit and above. Please assume some good faith.  Thanks, Stephenb (Talk) 15:49, 4 August 2013 (UTC)

Brian Proudfoot
I've been improving/checking the references on the page and I'm confused by this reference


 * 1) Is the lack of the name of Brian Proudfoot on the link is being used as a reference to his playing the part? (really?)
 * 2) Is it one or two references? => Spudgfsh  ( Text Me! ) 20:00, 31 July 2013 (UTC)
 * I'm not going to comment on that reference, but it was mentioned in the making of documentary that was released on the DVD, which is a perfectly good reference. Ged  UK  20:39, 11 August 2013 (UTC)


 * I missed the bit in the reference further down (page 2) where he is mentioned. I misunderstood when I read it first time =>  Spudgfsh  ( Text Me! ) 11:35, 12 August 2013 (UTC)

Sylvester McCoy in the 1996 Doctor Who Movie.

 * Would it be okay to add to Sylvester McCoy's Entry his appearance as the 7th Doctor in the Paul McGann Doctor Who Movie? If no one responds I will " Attempt" (I am not that good at adding things to columned list) to add Doctor Who Movie to the Sylvester McCoy lists. I hope someone else does this, I am not good at working with scripted columned list... Thanks Magnum Serpentine (talk) 20:57, 5 August 2013 (UTC)


 * His last regular episode is listed as the TV movie so it does not need to be in the list => Spudgfsh  ( Text Me! ) 21:01, 5 August 2013 (UTC)
 * Yep I just saw that... Was trying to with-draw my request but being a slow typer you got in ahead of me :) Thanks for helping Magnum Serpentine (talk) 21:03, 5 August 2013 (UTC)

Table Headings
The main table is still labeled "Series Leads." This table includes Richard Hurndall. Richard Hurndall was never a lead, not on the tv series and not in any other Doctor Who vehicle either. I get that fans of his portrayal of the First Doctor don't want him pushed out to some category of fill-ins/stand-ins, but can't the title of the table at least be altered or have an asterisks added? It's just not accurate in this form. There is an official count of leads. Thus Peter Capaldi will be known as "The Twelfth Doctor" despite there being many more than twelve actors who've played the role. Hurndall was credited as the Doctor, had a speaking part on the tv series, and fit canonically into the plot, so I don't want to see him go either, but there's no way to call him a series lead.

About lists of doctors in general (just conceptually, for discussion purposes):


 * There is the list from first to twelfth of series leads. These are the ones the BBC uses on all their posters, calendars, etc with a consistent naming and ordering system.


 * There are people who've served as fill-ins, stand-ins, stunt doubles, etc - but some of these aren't credited as actors so are beyond what this article seeks to document it seems.


 * There are several "timey-wimey" doctors. These are "Doctors" of some sort who were the result of the many strange things that can happened when traveling through time, space, and dimension. The Dreamlord comes to mind.  He was created by the Doctor's subconscious. Unless such an entity were seen as the Doctor and was played by a new actor (thus David Tennant portraying a half-human copy of himself doesn't need a new actor entry) these performers are largely missing here.


 * There are the Doctors of other media. Most followed non-canonical plot lines and so are relegated to a separate list.


 * There are many actors who have done spoofs or homages to the Doctor, but outside of officially BBC sanctioned specials they have been left out here - I suppose because there are just too many examples and no reliable way of determining one worthy of note versus another.


 * Finally there are faux doctors. Characters that, at least for a time, convinced others they were the Doctor. Jackson Lake even managed to convince the Doctor himself. These actors are noted not for actually playing the Doctor, but rather having played a character who played the Doctor.

I list these categories as logical ways to think about the different portrayals, but only the most parsimonious of changes would likely suffice for now.

Thoughts?

jg (talk) 20:01, 30 August 2013 (UTC)


 * Just a comment, but it could be argued that Hurndall was one of the stars (or leads) of the 20th anniversary special. DonQuixote (talk) 20:04, 30 August 2013 (UTC)
 * I agree he was more or less a co-star in that episode but not a "series lead" which is still what the table is labeled. jg (talk) 04:15, 1 September 2013 (UTC)

One remedy would be to make the "Series Lead" table read instead "Series Leads / Episode Costars." That would make the otherwise erroneous use of an actor who doesn't belong in the numbered list of leads a little less glaring.

Another remedy, simpler and more logical but sadder to fans of Richard Hurndall, would be to move him to the "Doubles" table - perhaps with a new title like "Doubles and Fill-Ins."

If we don't do anything (like even just an asterisk) we are stuck with a table that implies the Eleventh Doctor, Matt Smith, is really the twelfth. jg (talk) 21:08, 5 September 2013 (UTC)


 * I've boldly moved him to Others. I'll also try to get around to trimming all the photos and archive footage stuff (as mentioned below)...eventually. DonQuixote (talk) 15:11, 25 November 2013 (UTC)

The Doctors in The Brain of Morbius
I believe the eight faces seen during the mind battle in The Brain of Morbius should be included here. I know these photographs can't exactly be said to constitute dramatic acting performances, but it seems to me this article should be a comprehensive look at the Doctor's incarnations, which (according to Philip Hinchcliffe) these eight faces were certainly intended to be. Someone coming to the "other actors" section of this article would expect a list of every alternative or unconventional portrayal and incarnation, however minor – "acting" is really not the operative word here. The BBC were forced to pay a sum to the British Actors' Equity Association in recompense for not using professional actors in this scene, so it seems these eight portrayals are taken seriously, at least by some. Granted, they're borderline, but I think they fall on the inclusive side of the border, especially considering that the current article lists performances as trivial as William Hartnell's one-time hand double, the still photograph of John Hurt displayed in Strax's field report, and still images of previous Doctors seen for fractions of a second in episodes like Nightmare in Silver – I would venture that the Morbius Doctors are much more notable than these. —Flax5 13:49, 15 September 2013 (UTC)


 * One thing we have to remember is that Wikipedia is not an indiscriminate collection of information. More importantly, whenever we write/edit something we should keep in mind the context of the surround text, section or article. The Morbius photos don't fit the context of this article (better context is probably Doctor (Doctor Who) and The Brain of Morbius). And you're right in pointing out how body doubles, other still photos and such don't fit either; those should probably be trimmed out. For the leads, we should probably rein in the list to actual productions that they were involved in and trim out archive footage and such. DonQuixote (talk) 16:08, 15 September 2013 (UTC)

Although some of the producers said they did intend to convey the idea that there were more incarnations of the Doctor than had appeared in the series, there is still the problem of knowing which of the Morbius episode photos were "Doctors" as opposed to "Morbiuses." Presumably Morbius, as such a notable Time Lord, had earlier incarnations too. The Time Lord game they were playing was supposed to dredge through their past lives. Since Morbius lost, his past should have gotten dredged up too. jg (talk) 09:13, 29 October 2013 (UTC)


 * We don't know what those faces were. That showrunner's intent was rejected by subsequent showrunners, and they never cared to establish any meaning for those faces. Dr.Who (talk) 07:15, 1 November 2013 (UTC)

John Hurt
The War Doctor needs to be moved into the main section (both here and in the Doctor (Doctor Who) article, now that The Night of the Doctor has officially confirmed him as the incarnation following the Eighth Doctor (up until this week there was still the possibility of him being an alternate universe/timeline or fake Doctor, but this doubt no longer exists as of this minisode). 68.146.70.124 (talk) 14:56, 15 November 2013 (UTC)
 * Hurt is not the star of the programme. The main list is for the leads. See Rascals (Star Trek: The Next Generation) for a similar situation. Also see WP:real world and WP:INUNIVERSE. DonQuixote (talk) 15:13, 15 November 2013 (UTC)
 * As of the 50th Special he is now officially canonized as the 9th Doctor, and Capaldi is referred to as the 13th. While in general what you said above is true (and certainly was prior to today) the article does need to be updated - at the very least the numbers given to the old 9-11 should be updated to 10-12.68.111.79.67 (talk) 06:24, 24 November 2013 (UTC)
 * Hurt is most definitely a Doctor in the canon of the TV show. He is a seperate Doctor, not played by any other actor, and has starred in an episode (The Day of the Doctor) as the Doctor, alongside two others. The Eccleston, Tennant and Smith doctors might not have considered him worthy of the name "Doctor" but from "The Day of the Doctor" onwards the Smith Doctor will, as will all future regenerations. Hurt is now the Ninth Doctor, and Eccleston the tenth, and so on. This page and a million others need to be edited to reflect that. Even if the numbers aren't changed, Hurt deserves to be on the list as an official doctor. — Preceding unsigned comment added by Grollum (talk • contribs) 15:38, 25 November 2013 (UTC)
 * Sorry, but we don't have to modify the articles to reflect a retcon, we just have to describe it in the text of the articles. DonQuixote (talk) 16:06, 25 November 2013 (UTC)
 * I do think he ought to be moved into the main table; his Doctor is not like any of the others in that section. Sure he's not had a series, but then neither did McGann. Numbering is a different issue, see section below. Ged  UK  17:51, 25 November 2013 (UTC)

I concur - he should be in the main table between McGann and Eccleston - listed as the War Doctor. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 82.25.185.203 (talk) 20:06, 26 November 2013 (UTC)
 * Hurt is credited in the opening credits of a feature-length episode released as a de facto movie in 94 countries. To not include him in the main list makes Wikipedia look stupid. 68.146.70.124 (talk) 22:03, 7 December 2013 (UTC)

It's almost 2016 and I see that John Hurt is still off the main list. We have exhausted all the logical and complex reasons for why this does not add up, in more ways than one, so I simply ask: why on earth not? As someone above suggests, Wikipedia is looking stupid by dragging its feet on an issue that was resolved years ago. I would edit it myself but I understand some wikipedian guard thingymajigs with more authority than I would simply revert it for reasons known only to their mysterious selves. So, in the interest of debate, please tell us how you can justify not listing John Hurt along with the others? Even if your argument is that each incarnation is a different character you must still list him, for that same logic could be applied to anyone, say Matt Smith's incarnation and, well, the list would be empty save William Hartnell (And it was even implied once that he was not the first incarnation.). Thamescontrol (talk) 14:35, 15 December 2015 (UTC)
 * The main list is to prominently diplay series leads as they are the most important actors in the history of the programme. Hurt was a guest star and is already listed with other notable guest stars Richard Hurndall and Michael Jayston. DonQuixote (talk) 15:23, 15 December 2015 (UTC)

Regardless of your intentions and standards, every common person will acknowledge John Hurt as that missing entry for "The Doctor". Though he was no longer considered "The Doctor" during his wartime incarnation, he did redeem himself during the "Day of the Doctor" and re-earned his "name". Real life is full of stories of people who redeem themselves, sometimes at the last second, and this story is found in many cultures (example: People in various religions who repent just before they die and are thus "redeemed"). I don't believe anyone should ever deny that these things happen and changes the situation. To say that this is not important is to devalue the act of redemption, be it in fiction or in reality, and does an injustice to every living person on this planet. Rapierman (talk) 04:17, 26 April 2020 (UTC)
 * He's not missing. He's listed amongst the guest stars. DonQuixote (talk) 06:35, 26 April 2020 (UTC)

An Adventure in Space and Time
David Bradley and Reece Shearsmith both should be added to the list. They definitely qualify as "Other": they portrayed the actors, but they also portrayed the Doctor. 46.0.101.16 (talk) 19:10, 22 November 2013 (UTC)
 * Not really. Mezigue (talk) 20:33, 22 November 2013 (UTC)
 * They have recreated full scenes from various episodes for the documentary, so at least Bradley is without question playing The Doctor as much as he's playing Hartnell. He deserves to be on the list as much as the actor who briefly played the Doctor on stage, if not more. 46.0.101.16 (talk) 21:06, 22 November 2013 (UTC)
 * No, he's playing the actor playing the Doctor. There is no attempt by the programme to pretend it's in-universe; it's a completely out of universe drama. Ged  UK  12:15, 25 November 2013 (UTC)
 * I suppose if you were really looking to push the envelope here... consider the moments in the story where the production team is looking at footage to be edited. THERE, at least, we see The Doctor, not the actor. jg (talk) 19:41, 30 December 2013 (UTC)
 * You might want to put them in List of actors who played characters that portrayed Doctor Who either by creating a second table or broadening the title of the existing table. jg (talk) 20:34, 30 December 2013 (UTC)

Also, at the end of An Adventure in Space and Time, a clip is shown of the "real" William Hartnell saying his farewell speech to Susan. Is this counted as an "appearance" by Hartnell in the roll or not (since it wasn't in the series itself)? 208.81.29.53 (talk) 19:57, 8 January 2014 (UTC)

So, the numbering...
Now, following the Day of the Doctor, we know that Hurt is the Doctor, and is no longer timelocked or shunned (at least from Smith on).

The question therefore is what numbers should they have? I'm not proposing that we decide/discuss that, because that would be POV, but I think it might be helpful if we decide on what reliable source(s) we ought to use to decide this.

My own suggestion would be Doctor Who magazine, as the 'official' magazine, but whether that's independent enough is up for debate. Ged UK  12:22, 25 November 2013 (UTC)
 * Moffat has stated that the numbering won't change. If we consider the version of the character that's been leading the programme, he's right of course. It's when we consider in-universe that things get all timey-wimey. DonQuixote (talk) 14:11, 25 November 2013 (UTC)
 * Has he, I've missed that. Do you have a source, because we ought to include it somewhere. Ged  UK  17:50, 25 November 2013 (UTC)
 * See . DonQuixote (talk) 19:47, 25 November 2013 (UTC)
 * Yeah, that really doesn't clear it up. However, it seems that the christmas special might be a lot about this, so perhaps we'd be as well of waiting till then? Ged  UK  12:52, 26 November 2013 (UTC)

Tom Baker / 4th Doctor / The Curator
So, currently Tom is listed as archive footage only in DotD. However there was, of course, a glorious new scene. But was he playing 4? Obviously he was listed in the credits as playing the Doctor, but they all were. Should we list him as playing 4 in non-archive footage in DotD? Ged UK  17:59, 25 November 2013 (UTC)
 * Have added a footnote to indicate his appearance, and the fact the episode leaves it vague as to whether he's playing the Doctor or not. 68.146.70.124 (talk) 22:02, 7 December 2013 (UTC)
 * There is a bit of an edit war at the moment to add/remove him to the "other" list. Obviously he shouldn't be there as he is already listed in the series leads.  Just because a list is broken into sub-sections is no reason to list an item twice.  However, I think it is perfectly reasonable to describe the Curator as being likely to be a future Doctor revisiting old faces (which is in the current version).  He says so explicitely, and dialogue from the show is primary source. Mezigue (talk) 11:21, 12 January 2014 (UTC)
 * I think that the mention of his appearance under his entry on the main list is sufficient. It sums it up without adding unreliable/unsourced material. G S Palmer (talk) 20:53, 27 January 2014 (UTC)

Peter Capaldi
As of the showing of "The Day of the Doctor" the only thing we've seen of Capaldi's Doctor on-screen was a non-speaking role as a non-lead referred obliquely to by another character as possibly the 12th Doctor ("All 13 of them"). I realize the production has already announced he's taking on the role, but is this enough to list him in the main list of lead actors now, or should we wait until we actually see him listed as the lead in an episode first, and for the moment leave him in the "other actors who played the doctor" list? Esprix (talk) 00:12, 26 November 2013 (UTC)
 * Since some of the lawmakers here don't want to count John Hurt as a main Doctor, despite all evidence to the contrary, be lucky to see him listed after Christmas. 68.146.70.124 (talk) 22:04, 7 December 2013 (UTC)

People's opinions do dismiss the facts that Peter Capaldi is the 13th Doctor. This isn't a forum, it's already been established that he is the 13th regeneration. Every Doctor has been known and mentioned as 'The Doctor' including the 'War Doctor' which was later mentioned as 'The Doctor', which was confirmed by both David, Matt's versions of the Doctor in 'Day of the Doctor' --Ronnie42 (talk) 16:37, 4 August 2014 (UTC)

Hurt needs one addition
Since the listings for Tennant and Smith include the Day of the Doctor cinema intro, there should also be a listing for this under John Hurt's name as he appears in it as well. 68.146.70.124 (talk) 21:54, 8 January 2014 (UTC)

Adding actors who've played actors who've played the Doctor
This most recent addition is a step too far in my opinion. Actors playing actors playing the Doctor have not played the Doctor, and adding them here is a mistake. Mezigue and I have both removed it, and the originator, Nettyboo has restored it both times. We need to get a consensus here before this develops into an edit war. Ged UK  13:39, 16 January 2014 (UTC)
 * Yes, this is off-topic. Also: how the hell was David Tennant playing "another actor"? Mezigue (talk) 15:22, 16 January 2014 (UTC)
 * And reverted again. This going to far... actors playing actors playing the Doctor or playing an actor playing the Doctor? When does it end? — Edokter  ( talk ) — 16:10, 16 January 2014 (UTC)

This is a list of 'actors who have played the doctor' - this is not a list of 'actors who a bunch of random people consider worthy of putting on a list of actors playing the doctor'. These people played the doctor and therefore they must be concluded - regardless of your opinion on the matter - they did play the doctor. Explain to me in great detail how they didn't play the doctor and then I'll consider not having them on the list.Nettyboo (talk) 23:33, 16 January 2014 (UTC)
 * If you strip it down to subject and object, it's actors who have played actors. That's not the same thing as actors who have played . It's as simple as that. DonQuixote (talk) 23:54, 16 January 2014 (UTC)
 * Sorry, but that's irrelevant. They are playing actors who are playing actors who are playing the doctor and should be included.  It's as simple as that.  It's just your opinion that they don't belong, whereas the fact is they played the doctor and should be included.Nettyboo (talk) 00:57, 17 January 2014 (UTC)
 * Not just his opinion; three other editors share this viewpoint. This article list actors who played the Doctor, not actor who played actors who played the Doctor. — Edokter  ( talk ) — 01:47, 17 January 2014 (UTC)
 * That is fatuous reasoning. If three people share the opinion that green isn't a colour does that mean it's true?  The heading of the section said 'Actors Playing Other Actors Playing the Doctor'.  And again, they are actually playing the doctor.  There is no doubt about it whatsoever.  No one has given me any sound reason why they shouldn't be there short of 'in my opinion they shouldn't be there'.  Sorry, but your opinion counts for nothing.  They played the doctor - fact.Nettyboo (talk) 02:39, 17 January 2014 (UTC)
 * Just because you think that green is a flavour that doesn't mean that it's true. Pot-kettle-black. And no, they're not playing the Doctor, they're playing actors...similar to how green is a colour which is sometimes associated with a flavour (like mint). DonQuixote (talk) 03:57, 17 January 2014 (UTC)
 * And the actors they are playing are playing the doctor. Therefore there is a heading saying 'Actors Playing Actors Who Are Playing the Doctor'. Nettyboo (talk) 04:10, 17 January 2014 (UTC)
 * And therefore it doesn't belong on this page. Mezigue (talk) 08:59, 17 January 2014 (UTC)
 * You still haven't given me a single reason apart from your opinions, which are of no consequence at all. No one has explained to me how they didn't play the doctor.  Of course you can't explain how they didn't play the doctor, because they did play the doctor.  Give me some solid reasons for the actors not to be listed and I'll consider it.  And saying 'They played actors' isn't an argument, because the actors they played were playing the doctor.  Which is why the heading says 'Actors Playing Actors Playing the Doctor.'  Until someone comes up with some sensible reason why they shouldn't be listed, I stand by the solid fact that they played the doctor and belong on this page.110.22.80.31 (talk) 10:51, 17 January 2014 (UTC)
 * They didn't play the Doctor. The part they were dramatising was that of the actor, not the Doctor. It's a difference between in-universe and out-universe if you like, meta v not-meta. Ged  UK  12:28, 17 January 2014 (UTC)
 * I'm not saying they played the doctor, I'm saying they played actors who played the doctor - hence the reason why I put up a heading saying 'actors who played actors playing the doctor'. Still no solid reasons apart from people continuously stating the same thing - something I'm not denying - that they played actors.  Yes, they played actors, but the actors they played played the doctor, and that's why they go on the list.  Someone come up with a logical argument why that can't be on the list, please.  Otherwise I'm putting it back.Nettyboo (talk) 14:45, 17 January 2014 (UTC)
 * Thanks for changing the goal post: "These people played the doctor and therefore they must be concluded" vs "I'm not saying they played the doctor, I'm saying they played actors who played the doctor". As to your new goal post, this article is for actors who played the Doctor not actors who played actors. DonQuixote (talk) 16:03, 17 January 2014 (UTC)
 * Dear Nettyboo:
 * You have stated that the belief that these actors do not belong on the list is "just an opinion". However, that they belong on this list is merely your opinion.  I suggest that you cease in your attempt to create this edit as it will merely be confusing to Wikipedia readers not well versed in the nuances of the situation. G S Palmer (talk) 21:16, 20 January 2014 (UTC)
 * List of actors who played characters that portrayed Doctor Who. Link was there all along. Discussion closed. — Edokter  ( talk ) — 16:40, 17 January 2014 (UTC)
 * Jesus wept. Mezigue (talk) 19:43, 17 January 2014 (UTC)
 * Ah, finally. A breath of fresh air.  Thank you! G S Palmer (talk) 21:22, 20 January 2014 (UTC)

Little boy in "Listen"
Should he be included? We only saw his legs I think, but he was definitely playing a younger version of The (First) Doctor. You could maybe argue he hadn't taken the name "Doctor" at that stage in his life but its still the same character, in the same way Clark Kent is the same character as Superman! I couldn't find his name on IMDB so maybe he should just be listed as "anonymous child actor" until someone can find a link to his name? — Preceding unsigned comment added by Villafancd (talk • contribs) 23:07, 9 October 2014 (UTC)
 * Without a name, it would be pointless. DonQuixote (talk) 04:08, 10 October 2014 (UTC)
 * I am not sure extending and then retracting a leg counts as "playing" the Doctor either. Mezigue (talk) 21:53, 10 October 2014 (UTC)

Actors that have portrayed The Doctor that are recognized with a number.
1- William Hartnell 2- Patrick Troughton 3- Jon Pertwee 4- Tom Baker 5- Peter Davison 6- Colin Baker 7- Sylvester McCoy 8- Paul McGann 9- Christopher Eccleston 10- David Tennant 11- Matt Smith 12- Peter Capaldi — Preceding unsigned comment added by The10thDoctorIsADeathEater (talk • contribs) 12:41, 28 December 2014 (UTC)

Others who have portrayed The Doctor
War- John Hurt, Replacement for William Hartnell because he was dead during the 20th anniversary- Richard Hurndall, The Dream Lord in "Amy's Choice" (Season 5, Episode 7)- Toby Jones, Dr.Who- Peter Cushing, I Probably forgot some, so anyone who knows others please post them, this list can count Audio, people who have filled in for the doctor, and feet if you want to count them! — Preceding unsigned comment added by The10thDoctorIsADeathEater (talk • contribs) 12:53, 28 December 2014 (UTC)
 * They're all already in the list. Ged  UK  12:53, 31 December 2014 (UTC)

Does David Bradley count?
He did play Hartnell playing the Doctor, so you could argue he played the Doctor.  Serendi pod ous  23:56, 17 June 2015 (UTC)

War Doctor issues
The section in the table covering the war Doctor seems very messy comperd to all others entry's in this table the problem seems to be that he's listed outside of the series leds but is a distinct incarnation in univers resulting in him having as many apprances as the other past doctors in place like big finish adios and images shown in episodes where as other non series leeds have one or two apprances standing in fo the min actors or as non canon incarnations2.28.220.166 (talk) 17:33, 10 April 2016 (UTC)
 * The Valeyard faces a similar situation since he's appeared in about four Big Finish dramas portrayed by Michael Jayston (needs to be updated if we're going to list the audio dramas too). The table probably needs a little bit of restructuring. DonQuixote (talk) 18:05, 10 April 2016 (UTC)
 * Reviewing the page, Jayston is already listed in the audio drama table further below, and there's also a webcast table. Hurt's entry can also be split up accordingly. DonQuixote (talk) 18:22, 10 April 2016 (UTC)
 * looking at the howl list and how it's strucerd one thing seems odd that is the fact that the tables have a medium column but there are different lists for things like webcasts adios and films leving most of the tables with just one medium also do things like silvester macoys doctors apprenc relay count 2.28.220.166 (talk) 19:36, 10 April 2016 (UTC)

Audio update
Just reading the list and noticed that the audio section is a little out of date as it does not include the 6th Doctor the last adventure for the valiard or the early adventures series wich fetters story's for the 1st and 2nd Doctor but mixing narration and full cas audio 2.28.220.166 (talk) 20:28, 20 April 2016 (UTC)

Cleanup
At a glance, it seems that less than half of this article has anything at all to do with its subject. Why include an exhaustive list of every body or stunt performer who has ever been half-glimpsed as the Doctor? And why do we need comprehensive details on every single time old archive footage of an already-mentioned actor was reused in a flashback or still image? This is all routine television production trivia, and just clutters the information on the character's portrayal, which is what readers actually come here for. I propose removing "Doubles for the Doctor" and "Stunt Doubles for the Doctor", and reducing "Series leads" to an actual list of series leads. —Flax5 20:28, 20 April 2016 (UTC)
 * Sounds like an excellent idea. Mezigue (talk) 20:37, 20 April 2016 (UTC)
 * sounds good but it is worth including actors reprising the role outside their TVs era 2.28.220.166 (talk) 21:42, 21 April 2016 (UTC)
 * Thanks,, for trimming the tables. A lot of these indiscriminate lists require pruning from time to time. DonQuixote (talk) 17:25, 22 April 2016 (UTC)
 * Well, it's "List of actors who have played the Doctor", not "List of appearances by actors as the Doctor". I suppose some readers might come here looking for that, but when something secondary to the topic takes up more space than the topic itself, it's a big readability problem. Is there a way to make the wide columns under "Series leads" collapsible? I think that would be a good compromise. —Flax5 20:32, 22 April 2016 (UTC)
 * I made Other appearances into collapsible tables. DonQuixote (talk) 22:26, 22 April 2016 (UTC)

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Pauil McGann and "The Night of the Doctor."
According to the article on the subject, it aired on BBC television. If it aired on BBC television, then it's cannon an since it's listed as one of John Hurt's episodes, it should be liste where it can be seen as one of McGann's two TV episodes. So please don't remove it next time, okay?Arglebargle79 (talk) 21:01, 14 July 2017 (UTC)
 * It's already listed in Other appearances because it counts as an "Other appearance"--like Hartnell and Troughton in The Three Doctors, etc. DonQuixote (talk) 21:52, 14 July 2017 (UTC)

recasts for ongoing sirises
just a question but whoud it be a good idea to change William Russell, peter Purves, Frazer Hines and Tim Treloar to just big finish audio and date or just the series they appear in like the early adventures and the 3rd doctor adventures rather than listing every story as we do now as unlike other doctors in this section they are playing the role in a entire series rather than just standing in for a singal story like the others 2.30.191.51 (talk) 09:30, 26 July 2017 (UTC)
 * Thanks. We can, as you say, just list the series they appear in if they're going to continue to play the character in a lot more episodes. DonQuixote (talk) 11:12, 26 July 2017 (UTC)

companion chronicles
just wondering how it is decided winch actors from the companion chronicles get listed as playing the doctor given that they are only credited as the companion on the big finish website i get why idea fisher is listed given the doctor is speaking true Charley yet most are simply companions remembering past events at the moment it seems that the actors who played the doctor in other series are listed as playing the doctor in the companion chronicles while ones that have not played the doctor in other series are not listed except for cases like idea fisher 95.145.155.227 (talk) 10:19, 11 November 2017 (UTC)
 * If you think there's an inconsistency, then feel free to make the necessary corrections. Truth be told, I don't think too many editors have kept up with the audio adventures (myself included). DonQuixote (talk) 13:37, 11 November 2017 (UTC)

The War Doctor at Big Finish
Prior to his death John Hurt was in a number of Big Finish productions as the war doctor. Do these merit inclusion in a similar manner to how the other doctors have 'other appearances as the doctor' section? => Spudgfsh  ( Text Me! ) 18:32, 10 January 2018 (UTC)
 * john hurt and David Bradly in big finis is covered in the audio section as they where not series leads 109.181.21.200 (talk) 17:47, 23 January 2018 (UTC)

Characters appearances in their predecessors regeneration stories
See heading. Isn’t Troughton’s first appearance technically The Tenth Planet Episode 4, and Baker’s Planet of the Spiders Part Six, and Davison’s technically Logopolis Part Four, and so on and so on? --StrexcorpEmployee (talk) 21:43, 28 November 2019 (UTC)

John Hurt
Is there a reason why he is listed twice for playing the same incarnation (in both the ‘other’ and ‘audio’ sections)? --StrexcorpEmployee (talk) 21:45, 28 November 2019 (UTC)

Images
The image for Bill Hartnell is not fit for purpose, whilst Troughton and Pertwee are barely serviceable. Why are there not the pictures of them in character? This would be better because A: the pics are higher quality and B: more relevant. 00jelwes (talk) 00:10, 14 February 2023 (UTC)

Additionally, not to be pedantic but Ncuti Gatwa has yet to play the doctor, and neither John Hurt nor Jo Martin are included. It makes more sense to include pictures as the doctor than or else high quality actor pics 00jelwes (talk) 00:24, 14 February 2023 (UTC)
 * Those are the best free images we have of Hartnell and Troughton (and Pertwee is in his outfit, which is why it was chosen over the alternatives). There are currently no free images of the actors in character. Neither Hurt nor Martin have portrayed the character in a leading role, and Gatwa's forthcoming appearance is explained in the caption. – Rhain  ☔ (he/him) 00:55, 14 February 2023 (UTC)

It's only true that 13 actors have played the Dr in a leading role if this statement is confined to the television show. Peter Cushing played him in the films. I've edited the caption to make it accurate. Richard75 (talk) 16:46, 26 November 2023 (UTC)

The Tennant Problem
There is a problem with this article, and the problem is with David Tennant. The title of the article is 'List of actors who have played the Doctor', and the table is headed 'Series leads' - so why does Tennant appear twice? There is only one David Tennant. For this to be a list of actors, Tennant should only be listed once with both roles attributed to him together.

The alternative, if we wish to keep Tennant listed twice with his two Doctors fully separated in the table, would be renaming the article to something like 'List of incarnations of the Doctor' and rename the table 'Series incarnations'.

(I have added this comment following related discussion at Talk:The Doctor (Doctor Who)) JustAnotherCompanion (talk) 21:34, 14 July 2024 (UTC)
 * A "List of incarnations of the Doctor" would be a fundamentally different list, given that a number of the actors on here are playing Doctors originated by other actors. Namenamenamenamename (talk) 13:10, 15 July 2024 (UTC)
 * Indeed, other than the appearance of a second David Tennant, the list has a clear out-of-universe perspective. Other actors who have played multiple incarnations are only listed once.
 * The Curator is listed in Tom Baker’s section, not as an Other Television incarnation.
 * Sylvester McCoy’s portrayal of the Sixth Doctor is listed in McCoy’s section, not alongside the Sixth Doctor.
 * Also Richard Hurndall and David Bradley are given their own unique entries instead of being listed alongside the First Doctor.
 * Only David Tennant is treated differently, as if there are two of him. 184.144.62.38 (talk) 16:40, 15 July 2024 (UTC)
 * A fair point, my only counterpoint to which is that I was just spit-balling ideas for how to change the article to try and get it to meet current Wikipedia guidelines. If the consensus is that the article should be broadly left alone while the Tennant sections are combined instead of being split, that would also work. Hopefully some other editors will chime in before long with their views, as would be nice to try and get a broad consensis before applying fixes rather than get in to a revert war after. JustAnotherCompanion (talk) 14:47, 16 July 2024 (UTC)