If you click on a link and make a purchase we may receive a small commission. Read our editorial policy.
Doctor Who: The Doctors Peter Davison, Paul McGann, and Colin Baker pick their favorite Doctors (and can't choose themselves!)
Regeneration Appreciation: Doctor Who actors share their favorite Time Lords
Popverse's top stories of the day
- Comic creators come together to explain and expose Project 2025's radical plan to reshape American politics if Donald Trump wins re-election
- Triforce Cosplay arrives at New York Comic Con with one mission: to give fans what they want
- DC launches a new webcomic vertical (literally) with DC GO!
Everyone has a favorite. Since Doctor Who’s premiere in 1963, 19 actors have had the honor of playing the titular Doctor. The Time Lord takes reinvention to a whole new level, and each of his incarnations has a special place in our Whovian hearts. But which Doctor is your favorite?
Even the Doctors themselves have favorites. Whether they admit it or not, past actors in the franchise prefer one Time Lord or another. We couldn’t poll every single Doctor, but thanks to MCM Comic Con, we can tell you who the fifth, sixth, and eighth Doctors choose. During a 2022 reunion panel, a fan put Peter Davison, Paul McGann, and Colin Baker in the hot seat by asking who their favorite Doctor was.
(They weren’t allowed to pick themselves)
“I’ve always said that for me it was Patrick Troughton,” Davison began. “He was the first regeneration, and if he hadn’t pulled it off so brilliantly, we wouldn’t be sitting here now. I just thought it was a wonderful portrayal.”
“Bill Hartnell,” McGann revealed. “He was the first, and when I was a kid that was the one. I think a lot of us would say that. It’s often the first one, isn’t it? The one that gets you into it.”
Colin Baker had his own criteria. “It depends on how you’re judging it. I’ve always said Pat Troughton too, because if that first regeneration hadn’t been as masterful as it was, we wouldn’t be here. But if you judge on the other criteria, like attraction, then it has to be Jodie (Whittaker), because she’s the only one I’ve actually fancied,” Baker said.
Another fan decided to keep the conversation going by asking if they preferred David Tennant or Peter Capaldi. “I can only have one answer to that, even if it was not true. It would have to be David Tennant,” Davison said. “Peter Capaldi, don’t get me wrong, is a brilliant actor. I thought he did a fantastic job. But if you ask me to choose, I’m afraid I’d have to say David Tennant.”
“Capaldi,” McGann quickly said.
If you were hoping Colin Baker would break the tie, then you’re out of luck. Baker was still stuck on his previous choice. “Jodie,” he enthusiastically answered. That doesn’t really answer the question, but I know better than to correct the Sixth Doctor. Then again, when you’re picking you’re favorite Doctor, is there such a thing as a wrong answer?
If you want to start watching Doctor Who and don't know where to start, check out our handy Doctor Who watch guide. Or maybe you're already finished with the show - We've got the perfect Ten shows to watch when you're done watching Doctor Who guide for you too. If you're already heads over heels for the Fifteenth Doctor and want to learn more about the actor playing him, check out what he's been in before here. Or maybe you just need to figure out how the new series numbering is going to work (Are there really gonna be two series 1s? Yes.) - if so, this is the explainer you want.
About MCM London Comic Con 2022
Dates
-
Follow Popverse for upcoming event coverage and news
Find out how we conduct our review by reading our review policy
Let Popverse be your tour guide through the wilderness of pop culture
Sign in and let us help you find your new favorite thing.
Comments
Want to join the discussion? Please activate your account first.
Visit Reedpop ID if you need to resend the confirmation email.