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List of Doctor Who episodes (2005–present)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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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 multi-episode serial format of the original series for a run of self-contained episodes, interspersed with occasional multi-part stories and structured into loose story arcs.[1]
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Six actors have led the revived era of Doctor Who. Top: Christopher Eccleston, David Tennant, Matt Smith. Bottom: Peter Capaldi, Jodie Whittaker, Ncuti Gatwa.
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 travelling spaceship called the TARDIS, which externally appears as a British police box. While travelling, typically with companions, the Doctor works to save lives and liberate oppressed peoples by combating various enemies. The Doctor has been played by various actors; the transition between actors is written into the plot with the concept of regeneration, a plot device in which a Time Lord's cells regenerated when they are fatally injured and they are reincarnated into a different body. Each actor's distinct portrayal represents different stages in the Doctor's life and, together, they form a single lifetime and narrative.
Six actors have led the revived series in the role of the Doctor under three showrunners, beginning with Christopher Eccleston as the Ninth Doctor and Russell T Davies as showrunner. Eccleston departed the role after the first series, succeeded by David Tennant as the Tenth Doctor, who played the role for three regular series. Tennant and Davies departed following a series of specials, replaced by Matt Smith as the Eleventh Doctor and Steven Moffat as showrunner, respectively. Smith portrayed the character for three series, leaving after the 2013 specials. Peter Capaldi took over the role for three series as the Twelfth Doctor; he and Moffat departed following the 2017 Christmas special. Capaldi was replaced by Jodie Whittaker, the first woman to play the role, as the Thirteenth Doctor; Chris Chibnall became showrunner. After three series, Whittaker and Chibnall left at the end of the 2022 specials, and Davies returned for a second term as showrunner. Tennant returned as the Fourteenth Doctor in the 60th anniversary specials, succeeded by Ncuti Gatwa as the Fifteenth Doctor, who headlined the series from 2024 to 2025. At the end of the fifteenth series, he regenerated into a form resembling Rose Tyler, portrayed by Billie Piper.
As of 31 May 2025,[update] 892 episodes of Doctor Who have aired. This includes one television movie and multiple specials, and encompasses 319 stories over 41 seasons, starting in 1963; out of these, 196 are from the revived series, encompassing 163 stories over 15 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; other sources sometimes diverge in their numbering.[4][5]
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Series overview
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The following table dictates the season or series in question for the programme as a whole.
Regular seasons
Specials
Notes
- The First Doctor remained for the first two serials of season 4. The Second Doctor featured for the remainder of the season from the third serial, The Power of the Daleks.
- Also known by its subtitle, The Key to Time[6]
- The Fifth Doctor regenerated in the sixth serial of season 21. The Sixth Doctor featured only in the final serial, The Twin Dilemma.[8]
- Also known by its subtitle, The Trial of a Time Lord[9]
- These specials consist of the 2008 Christmas, 2009 Easter, November, and Christmas, and 2010 New Year's Day episodes.[11]
- These specials consist of the 60th anniversary episodes.[14]
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Episodes
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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.[15][16]: 190 For the first time since the third season, each episode has a title. Unlike the classic series, most episodes told standalone stories.[16]: 208 The show also returned to its traditional Saturday evening slot.[16]: 185–186
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.[17] In his last story, "The Parting of the Ways", the Doctor absorbed the Time Vortex to save his companion, leading to his regeneration.[18][19]
Series 1 (2005)
The 2005 series introduces Billie Piper as the companion Rose Tyler. A loose story arc deals with the consequences of the Time War and its impact on the Doctor, and the mystery of the seemingly omnipresent phrase "Bad Wolf".[20] Beginning with "The Empty Child", John Barrowman appears as Jack Harkness.[19] Adam Mitchell appears in the consecutive episodes "Dalek" and "The Long Game".
Tenth Doctor
The Tenth Doctor was portrayed by David Tennant, who was cast before the first series aired.[23] With the success of the first series, Doctor Who returned to its old formula of visiting alien planets in addition to time travel.[24] Tennant retained the role until Part Two of "The End of Time" when the Doctor is killed by radiation poisoning while saving his companion.[25]
Series 2 (2006)
The back-story for the spin-off series Torchwood is "seeded" in various episodes of the 2006 series.[26] Rose continues travelling with the Doctor, leaving the programme at the end of the finale "Doomsday".[27] From "School Reunion" to "The Age of Steel", Noel Clarke, who recurred in series 1, appeared as companion Mickey Smith.[19]
Series 3 (2007)
This series introduces Freema Agyeman as the companion Martha Jones, whose time as the companion ends in the finale "Last of the Time Lords", and deals with the mysterious Mr Saxon, and the Doctor dealing with the loss of Rose Tyler.[30][31]
Series 4 (2008)
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.[33][34] There is also a loose story arc of many planets as well as bees mysteriously disappearing.[35]
Specials (2008–2010)
The specials focus ("Planet of the Dead" onwards) on a premonition of "four knocks" leading to the death of the Tenth Doctor. The Doctor continues travelling alone in all the specials, taking one-off companions as he deals with the grief of continuously ending up alone again and again.[25][19]
Eleventh Doctor
The Eleventh Doctor was portrayed by Matt Smith. Steven Moffat took over as showrunner from the fifth series, with an emphasis on stories involving twisting and complicated plots.[38][39] 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.[40]
Series 5 (2010)
This series introduces Karen Gillan and Arthur Darvill as companions Amy Pond and Rory Williams respectively.[41][42] It deals with cracks spreading throughout time and space erasing things from existence; the opening of the "Pandorica" is also mentioned in various episodes.[43]
Series 6 (2011)
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),[45] 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.[46][47]
Series 7 (2012–2013)
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.[20]
Specials (2013)
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.[40]
Twelfth Doctor
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.[52] Capaldi played the role until the Christmas special "Twice Upon a Time", after his last stand against the Cybermen in the previous episode.[53]
Series 8 (2014)
The series deals with the Doctor's questioning of him being a good man, and the mystery of the identity of the character "Missy".[20][46]
Series 9 (2015)
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".[55]
Series 10 (2017)
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.[57] 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".[58][59]
Thirteenth Doctor
The Thirteenth Doctor was portrayed by Jodie Whittaker,[61] 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.[62]
Series 11 (2018)
The series introduces Mandip Gill, Bradley Walsh and Tosin Cole as the new companions Yasmin Khan, Graham O'Brien and Ryan Sinclair respectively.[63] No enemies from the programme's history return in the series.[64]
Series 12 (2020)
This series deals with a new incarnation of the Master,[67] the appearance of an unknown incarnation of the Doctor,[68] the destruction of her homeworld Gallifrey and the secret of the Timeless Child.[69] It saw the return of Jack Harkness in a cameo.[70] The concluding special is the last regular appearance of Graham and Ryan.[71]
Series 13 (2021)
Series 13 is a single story arc, subtitled Flux, consisting of six episodes. It involves a universe-ending anomaly, called the "Flux", which leads to several enemies separately attempting to take over Earth and destroy most of the universe.[73][74] John Bishop joined the series as new companion Dan.[75]
Specials (2022)
The specials loosely continued from Flux, with the last special celebrating the BBC's centenary.[73][77] They deal with Yaz and the Doctor's relationship and the lead up to the Thirteenth Doctor's regeneration.[77][78] Both Dan and Yaz depart in the finale.[79][80]
Fourteenth Doctor
The Fourteenth Doctor was portrayed by David Tennant, who previously portrayed the Tenth Doctor, returned to celebrate the 60th anniversary. Additionally, Russell T Davies returned as showrunner. Bad Wolf and Disney began co-producing the programme, while Disney+ handled international distribution outside the UK.[81][82]
Specials (2023)
These specials celebrate the 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.[83]
Fifteenth Doctor
The Fifteenth Doctor was portrayed by Ncuti Gatwa.[86][87][82] His tenure saw the episode count reduced from ten to eight. Gatwa retained the role for two series, regenerating in the series 15 finale after sacrificing himself to save Poppy, Belinda’s daughter.
Series 14 (2024)
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.[88] With this season, the series' numbering system was reset, starting with "Season 1".[89]
Series 15 (2025)
A Christmas special aired on 25 December 2024, preceding the eight-episode fifteenth series, which premiered in April 2025.[92] Millie Gibson returned as Ruby Sunday alongside new companion Belinda Chandra, played by Varada Sethu.[93] Filming occurred between 23 October 2023 and 25 May 2024.[92] This season was numbered as "Season 2". In this season, the Doctor tries to get Belinda home to 2025, but they keep getting repelled by a "sinister force".
Future
A third series with Davies as showrunner was being planned by November 2023.[3] By the following June, Davies was working on the series's fourth script, despite it not yet having been commissioned, with recording initially expected to begin in early 2025.[97] Gatwa made similar claims regarding a filming schedule in an October episode of The Graham Norton Show, but these comments were edited out prior to public broadcast.[98] The BBC later said an official decision on future series would be made after the fifteenth series was transmitted, while also mentioning the original contract with Disney+ was for 26 episodes.[99] The future of the programme as a whole, as well as Disney's involvement with it, has been widely speculated on. If produced, it is reported a sixteenth series would likely not air until 2027 at the earliest.[100] Shortly before series 15 aired, Davies, on the CBBC show, Newsround, suggested any hiatus, if it were to occur, would likely be lengthy, stating, "Sometimes there might be a pause, and during that pause, the viewers of Newsround now will grow up a few years and start writing stories and they’ll bring it back".[101]
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See also
- Doctor Who missing episodes
- List of Doctor Who Christmas and New Year's specials
- List of unmade Doctor Who serials and films
- List of Doctor Who audio releases
- List of Doctor Who home video releases
- List of Doctor Who audio plays by Big Finish
- List of Doctor Who radio stories
- List of supplementary Doctor Who episodes
- Doctor Who spin-offs
References
External links
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