Doctor Who is a British science fiction television programme produced by the BBC. Having ceased broadcasting in 1989, it resumed in 2005. The 2005 revival traded the earlier serial format for a run of self-contained episodes, interspersed with occasional multi-part stories and structured into loose story arcs.[1] This was in contrast to the original series (1963–1989), which generally consisted of multi-episode serials.
Doctor Who depicts the adventures of an extraterrestrial being called the Doctor, part of a humanoid species called Time Lords. The Doctor travels in the universe and in time using a time travellingspaceship called the TARDIS, which externally appears as a British police box. While travelling, the Doctor works to save lives and liberate oppressed peoples by combating various enemies. The Doctor often travels with companions. The Doctor has been played by various actors, with the transition from one actor to another being written into the plot of the series with the concept of regeneration, a plot device in which, when a Time Lord is fatally injured, their cells regenerate and they are reincarnated, into a different body with mannerisms and behaviour, but the same memories, explaining each actor's distinct portrayal, as they all represent different stages in the life of the Doctor and, together, they form a single lifetime with a single narrative.
As of 25 December 2024,[update] 884 episodes of Doctor Who have aired. This includes one television movie and multiple specials, and encompasses 312 stories over 40 seasons, starting in 1963; out of these, 188 are from the revived series, encompassing 156 stories over 14 series and various specials. The programme's high episode count has resulted in Doctor Who holding the world record for the highest number of episodes of a science-fiction programme.[2] As of November 2023, up to a seventeenth series of the revived era has been planned.[3]
The story numbers below are meant as a guide to placement in the overall context of the programme.[4] The numbering scheme in this list follows the official website's episode guide;[4] there is some dispute on the numbering of the original series, and so other sources sometimes diverge in their numbering.[5]
Series overview
The following table dictates the season or series in question for the programme as a whole.
^Shada was left unfinished due to a strike. The story was later completed and officially released on home media in 2017.[7] It is not included in the episode or story counts as it was not broadcast.[5]
In 2005, the BBC relaunched Doctor Who after a 16-year absence from episodic television, with Russell T Davies, Julie Gardner, and Mal Young as executive producers, and Phil Collinson as producer.[16][17] For the first time since the third season, each episode has a title. Unlike the classic series, most episodes told standalone stories.[18] The show also returned to its traditional Saturday evening slot.[19]
Ninth Doctor
The revived series began with Christopher Eccleston taking the lead role of the Ninth Doctor. During Eccleston's tenure, all episodes were set on Earth, or its orbit, in the past, present, or future.[20] In his last story, "The Parting of the Ways", the Doctor absorbed the Time Vortex to save his companion, leading to his regeneration.[21][22]
The Tenth Doctor was portrayed by David Tennant, who was cast before the first series aired.[27] With the success of the first series, Doctor Who returned to its old formula of visiting alien planets in addition to time travel.[28] Tennant retained the role until Part Two of "The End of Time" when the Doctor suffers radiation poisoning, saving his companion.[29]
In this series, Catherine Tate reprises her role as Donna Noble from "The Runaway Bride", this time as a full-fledged companion. The coincidences binding the Doctor and Donna together are explored. Donna departs in the second part of the finale "Journey's End". The first part "The Stolen Earth" brings back all the long-term companions in the revived series up to that moment for the finale.[34] There is also a loose story arc of many planets as well as bees mysteriously disappearing.[36]
The specials focus on a premonition of "four knocks" leading to the death of the Tenth Doctor, starting from "Planet of the Dead". The Doctor continues travelling alone in all the specials, taking one-off companions as he deals with the grief of continuously ending up alone time after time.[29][24]
The Eleventh Doctor was portrayed by Matt Smith. Steven Moffat took over as showrunner from the fifth series, swapping the melodramatic stories of his predecessor for ones involving convoluted time travel, which remained a staple for the entirety of Smith's tenure as the Doctor.[39][40] Smith retained the role until the Christmas special "The Time of the Doctor", with the Doctor dying due to old age and fatigue from a centuries-long war.[41]
This series introduces Karen Gillan and Arthur Darvill as companions Amy Pond and Rory Williams respectively.[42][43] It deals with cracks spreading throughout time and space erasing things from existence; the opening of the "Pandorica" is also mentioned in various episodes.[44]
This series centres on the true identity of River Song (who was introduced in series 4 and recurred in series 5, played by Alex Kingston), and the Doctor's "death". The original transmission of series 6 was split into two parts, with the first seven episodes airing April to June 2011 and the final six from late August to October 2011.[34]
Series 7 started with five episodes, was split by a Christmas special in late 2012, and was completed by eight episodes in 2013. It deals with the exit of the Ponds midway through the series in "The Angels Take Manhattan", and the mystery of the new companion Clara Oswald portrayed by Jenna Coleman.[47][48]
The first special focuses on various incarnations of the Doctor, including the return of the Tenth Doctor as well as the reveal of a secret incarnation called the War Doctor and his actions during the Time War.[50] The second special focuses on the Eleventh Doctor's regeneration as he dedicates his life to protecting the planet Trenzalore.[51]
The Twelfth Doctor was portrayed by Peter Capaldi. His tenure saw a reduction of total episodes per series from thirteen to twelve. His Doctor was characterised by his grappling with the question of the meaning of goodness and whether he is himself a good man.[53] Capaldi played the role until the Christmas special "Twice Upon a Time", after his last stand against the Cybermen in the previous episode.[54]
The series is almost exclusively made up of two-episode stories and loose story arcs. It deals with the "prophecy of the Hybrid", and the consequences of the changing dynamics of the Doctor and Clara's relationship, which leads to her departure in the finale "Hell Bent".[56]
The series deals with the mystery of a vault and the Doctor's oath of guarding it, later exploring the Doctor and Missy's relationship, and the possibility of Missy "turning good".[58] This season introduces Pearl Mackie and Matt Lucas as the Doctor's new companions Bill Potts and Nardole respectively, both of whom depart in the series's corresponding Christmas special "Twice Upon a Time".[59][60]
The Thirteenth Doctor was portrayed by Jodie Whittaker,[62] becoming the first woman to play the role. Chris Chibnall took over as showrunner from the eleventh series onwards, with a reduction of episodes from twelve to ten. The time slot was changed to Sunday. They both departed in the special "The Power of the Doctor", with the Doctor dying at the hands of the Master.[63]
Series 13 is a single story arc, subtitled Flux, consisting of six episodes. It involves a universe-ending anomaly, called the "Flux", which brings several enemies together in an attempt to take over Earth and destroy most of the universe.[71][72]John Bishop joined the series as new companion Dan.[73]
The specials loosely continued from Flux, with the last special celebrating the BBC's centenary.[75][76] They deal with Yaz and the Doctor's relationship and the lead up to the Thirteenth Doctor's regeneration.[76][77] Both Dan and Yaz depart in the finale.[78][79]
These specials celebrate Doctor Who's 60th anniversary, and were preceded by a Children in Need minisode about the Doctor and Davros. They reunite the Doctor with Donna Noble; introduce Beep the Meep on-screen; involve thwarting a threat at the universe's edge; re-introduce the Toymaker; and conclude with the Fourteenth Doctor's unique bi-generation.[82]
The Fifteenth Doctor is the current Doctor, and portrayed by Ncuti Gatwa.[83][84][81] His tenure saw the episode count reduced from ten to eight. For marketing purposes, the series' numbering system was reset, starting with "Season 1".[85]
The Christmas special introduces Millie Gibson as companion Ruby Sunday, while the following series centred around the mystery of Ruby's birth, and a mysterious woman who appeared in different forms within each of the Doctor and Ruby's adventures.[86]
A Christmas special aired on 25 December 2024, preceding 2025's eight-episode fifteenth series.[11]Millie Gibson will return as Ruby Sunday, alongside new companion, Belinda Chandra, played by Varada Sethu.[89] Filming occurred between 23 October 2023 and 25 May 2024.[11]
A third series with Davies as showrunner was being planned by November 2023.[3] By the following June, Davies was working on the fourth script for the series, despite it not yet being commissioned, with filming expected to begin in early 2025, and an expected release within 2026.[90]
^These titles are normally prefixed with their respective "Chapter" number, or with the overall serial title "Flux".
^Episodes for the fourteenth series were released simultaneously at midnight BST in the United Kingdom on BBC iPlayer (followed by a 7pm BBC broadcast the same day), and at 7pm ET the day prior in the United States on Disney+.[88]
Citations
^Ainsworth, John, ed. (2016). "Rose – The End of the World – The Unquiet Dead". Doctor Who: The Complete History. 48. Panini Comics: 6–7.
^Ainsworth, John (2015). "Doctor Who – The Complete History: The Twin Dilemma, Attack of the Cybermen, and Vengeance on Varos". Doctor Who – The Complete History. Vol. 40. Panini Comics. p. 9.
Ainsworth, John, ed. (2016). "Rose, The End of the World and The Unquiet Dead". Doctor Who: The Complete History. Vol. 48. Panini Comics, Hachette Partworks. pp. 70, 107, 149.
Ainsworth, John, ed. (2017). "Aliens of London / World War Three, Dalek, The Long Game and Father's Day". Doctor Who: The Complete History. Vol. 49. Panini Comics, Hachette Partworks. pp. 44, 93, 126, 165.
Ainsworth, John, ed. (2018). "The Empty Child / The Doctor Dances, Boom Town and Bad Wolf / The Parting of the Ways". Doctor Who: The Complete History. Vol. 50. Panini Comics, Hachette Partworks. pp. 51, 92, 143.
^Pixley, Andrew (9 November 2006). "Series Two Companion". Doctor Who Magazine. No. 14 – Special Edition. pp. 21, 29, 35, 42, 50, 61, 69, 79, 85, 91, 101.
Ainsworth, John, ed. (2017). "The Runaway Bride, Smith and Jones and The Shakespeare Code". Doctor Who: The Complete History. Vol. 54. Panini Comics, Hachette Partworks. pp. 37, 80, 117.
Ainsworth, John, ed. (2015). "Gridlock, Daleks in Manhattan / Evolution of the Daleks, The Lazarus Experiment and 42". Doctor Who: The Complete History. Vol. 55. Panini Comics, Hachette Partworks. pp. 32, 79, 112, 142.
Wright, Mark, ed. (2016). "Human Nature / The Family of Blood, Blink, Utopia and The Sound of Drums / Last of the Time Lords". Doctor Who: The Complete History. Vol. 56. Panini Comics, Hachette Partworks. pp. 41, 69, 99, 140.
^Pixley, Andrew (19 November 2008). "Series Four Companion". Doctor Who Magazine. No. 20 – Special Edition. pp. 24, 37, 47, 57, 71, 81, 92, 107, 115, 125, 145.
^ abPixley, Andrew (8 July 2010). "The Specials Companion". Doctor Who Magazine. No. 25 – Special Edition. pp. 27, 45, 61, 97.
Wright, Mark, ed. (2018). "The Eleventh Hour, The Beast Below and Victory of the Daleks". Doctor Who: The Complete History. Vol. 63. Panini Comics, Hachette Partworks. pp. 69, 110, 155.
Wright, Mark, ed. (2016). "The Time of Angels / Flesh and Stone, The Vampires of Venice and Amy's Choice". Doctor Who: The Complete History. Vol. 64. Panini Comics, Hachette Partworks. pp. 45, 90, 131.
Ainsworth, John, ed. (2018). "The Hungry Earth / Cold Blood, Vincent and the Doctor and The Lodger". Doctor Who: The Complete History. Vol. 65. Panini Comics, Hachette Partworks. pp. 58, 107, 149.
Ainsworth, John, ed. (2017). "The Pandorica Opens / The Big Bang, A Christmas Carol and The Impossible Astronaut / Day of the Moon". Doctor Who: The Complete History. Vol. 66. Panini Comics, Hachette Partworks. pp. 61, 115.
Ainsworth, John, ed. (2017). "The Pandorica Opens / The Big Bang, A Christmas Carol and The Impossible Astronaut / Day of the Moon". Doctor Who: The Complete History. Vol. 66. Panini Comics, Hachette Partworks. p. 180.
Wright, Mark, ed. (2016). "The Curse of the Black Spot, The Doctor's Wife and The Rebel Flesh / The Almost People". Doctor Who: The Complete History. Vol. 67. Panini Comics, Hachette Partworks. pp. 29, 71, 125.
Wright, Mark, ed. (2017). "A Good Man Goes to War, Let's Kill Hitler and Night Terrors". Doctor Who: The Complete History. Vol. 68. Panini Comics, Hachette Partworks. pp. 32, 77, 116.
Ainsworth, John, ed. (2018). "The Girl Who Waited, The God Complex and Closing Time". Doctor Who: The Complete History. Vol. 69. Panini Comics, Hachette Partworks. pp. 44, 82, 125.
Ainsworth, John, ed. (2017). "The Wedding of River Song, The Doctor, the Widow and the Wardrobe and Asylum of the Daleks". Doctor Who: The Complete History. Vol. 70. Panini Comics, Hachette Partworks. p. 40.
Ainsworth, John, ed. (2017). "The Wedding of River Song, The Doctor, the Widow and the Wardrobe and Asylum of the Daleks". Doctor Who: The Complete History. Vol. 70. Panini Comics, Hachette Partworks. pp. 103, 172.
Ainsworth, John, ed. (2015). "Dinosaurs on a Spaceship, A Town Called Mercy and The Power of Three". Doctor Who: The Complete History. Vol. 71. Panini Comics, Hachette Partworks. pp. 38, 76, 125.
Ainsworth, John, ed. (2017). "The Angels Take Manhattan, The Snowmen and The Bells of Saint John". Doctor Who: The Complete History. Vol. 72. Panini Comics, Hachette Partworks. pp. 49, 101, 140.
Ainsworth, John, ed. (2016). "The Rings of Akhaten, Cold War, Hide and Journey to the Centre of the TARDIS". Doctor Who: The Complete History. Vol. 73. Panini Comics, Hachette Partworks. pp. 31, 68, 98, 134.
Ainsworth, John, ed. (2018). "The Crimson Horror, Nightmare in Silver and The Name of the Doctor". Doctor Who: The Complete History. Vol. 74. Panini Comics, Hachette Partworks. pp. 39, 75, 117.
Ainsworth, John, ed. (2015). "Deep Breath and Into the Dalek". Doctor Who: The Complete History. Vol. 76. Panini Comics, Hachette Partworks. pp. 71, 117.
Wright, Mark, ed. (2016). "Robot of Sherwood, Listen and Time Heist". Doctor Who: The Complete History. Vol. 77. Panini Comics, Hachette Partworks. pp. 47, 93, 141.
Wright, Mark, ed. (2017). "The Caretaker, Kill the Moon and Mummy on the Orient Express". Doctor Who: The Complete History. Vol. 78. Panini Comics, Hachette Partworks. pp. 41, 93, 147.
Ainsworth, John, ed. (2018). "Flatline, In the Forest of the Night and Dark Water / Death in Heaven". Doctor Who: The Complete History. Vol. 79. Panini Comics, Hachette Partworks. pp. 53, 105, 170.
Wright, Mark, ed. (2018). "Last Christmas and The Magician's Apprentice / The Witch's Familiar". Doctor Who: The Complete History. Vol. 80. Panini Comics, Hachette Partworks. pp. 53, 137.
Ainsworth, John, ed. (2018). "Under The Lake / Before The Flood and The Girl Who Died". Doctor Who: The Complete History. Vol. 81. Panini Comics, Hachette Partworks. pp. 71, 125.
Wright, Mark, ed. (2018). "The Woman who Lived and The Zygon Invasion / The Zygon Inversion". Doctor Who: The Complete History. Vol. 82. Panini Comics, Hachette Partworks. pp. 47, 121.
Ainsworth, John, ed. (2018). "Sleep No More, Face The Raven and Heaven Sent". Doctor Who: The Complete History. Vol. 83. Panini Comics, Hachette Partworks. pp. 40, 83, 126.
Wright, Mark, ed. (2018). "Hell Bent and The Husbands of River Song". Doctor Who: The Complete History. Vol. 84. Panini Comics, Hachette Partworks. pp. 51, 113.
Ainsworth, John, ed. (2018). "The Return of Doctor Mysterio and The Pilot". Doctor Who: The Complete History. 85. Panini Comics, Hachette Partworks: 50, 114.
Wright, Mark, ed. (2018). "Smile, Thin Ice and Knock Knock". Doctor Who: The Complete History. 86. Panini Comics, Hachette Partworks: 39, 78, 122.
Ainsworth, John, ed. (2018). "Oxygen, Extremis and The Pyramid at the End of the World". Doctor Who: The Complete History. 87. Panini Comics, Hachette Partworks: 50, 95, 141.
Ainsworth, John (2019). Wright, Mark (ed.). "The Lie of the Land, Empress of Mars and The Eaters of Light". Doctor Who: The Complete History. 88. Panini Comics, Hachette Partworks: 41, 89, 130.
Ainsworth, John (2019). Wright, Mark (ed.). "World Enough and Time / The Doctor Falls and Twice Upon a Time". Doctor Who: The Complete History. 89 (276). Panini Comics, Hachette Partworks: 60, 122.
^Hearn, Marcus (30 December 2021). "The 2022 Yearbook". Doctor Who Magazine. No. 59 – Special Edition. pp. 14, 26, 40, 50, 62, 70. Archived from the original on 17 September 2024. Retrieved 6 September 2024.
Aldridge, Mark; Murray, Andy (30 November 2008). T is for Television: The Small Screen Adventures of Russell T Davies. Reynolds & Hearn Ltd. ISBN978-1-905287-84-0.
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