The Doctor is the protagonist of the long-running BBC science fiction television series Doctor Who. They are an extraterrestrial Time Lord who travels the universe in a time travelling spaceship, called the TARDIS, often with companions. Since the show's inception in 1963, the character has been portrayed by fourteen lead actors. The transition to each succeeding actor is explained within the show's narrative through the plot device of regeneration, a biological function of Time Lords that allows a change of cellular structure and appearance with recovery following a mortal injury.
The Doctor (Doctor Who)
The episode title screen of the unaired pilot episode of Doctor Who.
The temporarily human Doctor, John Smith, draws his dreams of past incarnations in "Human Nature". (Left hand page: Tenth and Ninth; Right hand page, left to right, top to bottom: Fourth, Third, Second, Seventh, Eighth, First, Sixth, Fifth)
Doctor Who is a British science fiction television series broadcast by the BBC since 1963. The series, created by Sydney Newman, C. E. Webber and Donald Wilson, 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 travelling spaceship 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 foes. The Doctor often travels with companions.
The 50th anniversary of Doctor Who convention, held over three days at the ExCeL London in November 2013, included an appearance of three former Doctors: pictured left to right: Peter Davison, Sylvester McCoy and Colin Baker.
The Doctor Who Experience in Cardiff. The programme's broad appeal attracts audiences of children and families as well as science fiction fans.
The TARDIS (2010–2017) prop in front of the BBC Television Centre
TARDIS interior (2005–2010) at the Doctor Who Experience, London Olympia
