Doctor Who 1963 Cast
Doctor Who is a British science fiction television series that follows the adventures of the Doctor, a Time Lord from the planet Gallifrey who travels through time and space in the TARDIS. The classic series ran from 1963 to 1989, featuring seven different actors as the Doctor.
The Doctors of Classic Who
William Hartnell
The First Doctor (1963-1966)
Patrick Troughton
The Second Doctor (1966-1969)
Jon Pertwee
The Third Doctor (1970-1974)
Tom Baker
The Fourth Doctor (1974-1981)
Peter Davison
The Fifth Doctor (1982-1984)
Colin Baker
The Sixth Doctor (1984-1986)
Sylvester McCoy
The Seventh Doctor (1987-1989)
Carole Ann Ford
Susan Foreman
Notable Companions
| Actor | Character | Years | Doctor(s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Carole Ann Ford | Susan Foreman | 1963-1964 | First Doctor |
| William Russell | Ian Chesterton | 1963-1965 | First Doctor |
| Jacqueline Hill | Barbara Wright | 1963-1965 | First Doctor |
| Elisabeth Sladen | Sarah Jane Smith | 1973-1976 | Third & Fourth Doctors |
| Nicholas Courtney | Brigadier Lethbridge-Stewart | 1968-1989 | Multiple Doctors |
| Louise Jameson | Leela | 1977-1978 | Fourth Doctor |
| Sophie Aldred | Ace | 1987-1989 | Seventh Doctor |
About Classic Doctor Who
Doctor Who premiered on BBC on November 23, 1963, the day after President Kennedy's assassination. Created by Sydney Newman, the series was initially conceived as an educational program for families, combining historical adventures with science fiction.
The show introduced the concept of regeneration when William Hartnell's health issues necessitated his departure, allowing the series to continue with new actors. Tom Baker's Fourth Doctor became the most iconic of the classic era, serving for seven years—the longest tenure of any Doctor.
Legacy
Classic Doctor Who laid the foundation for what would become one of the longest-running science fiction series in television history. After its cancellation in 1989, the series was revived in 2005, continuing the story and mythology established during these 26 seasons.
About Doctor Who (1963 series)
Doctor Who began on the BBC in 1963 and ran continuously until 1989 in what is now called the “classic” era. The series follows the Doctor, a Time Lord from the planet Gallifrey, who travels through space and time in a ship called the TARDIS that takes the form of a 1960s London police box.
Format and regeneration
The most enduring innovation of the original series is regeneration: when one actor leaves the title role, the Doctor's body changes, allowing a new performer to take over while the character continues. Across the classic run, the Doctor was played by William Hartnell, Patrick Troughton, Jon Pertwee, Tom Baker, Peter Davison, Colin Baker, and Sylvester McCoy.
Companions
Each version of the Doctor travels with one or more companions — usually contemporary humans, but sometimes other Time Lords or aliens — who anchor the story for the audience and act as the people the Doctor explains the universe to. Notable companions across the classic era include Susan Foreman, Sarah Jane Smith, Romana, Tegan Jovanka, Ace, and many others.
Recurring villains
The classic series established a long roster of recurring antagonists, most prominently the Daleks — introduced in the first season and revisited across decades — the Cybermen, and the Master, the Doctor's renegade Time Lord counterpart. Several of these creatures and characters remain central to the modern continuation of the show.
Where to watch
Classic Doctor Who is preserved by the BBC and is available through BBC iPlayer in the United Kingdom and through BritBox in several international markets. Many serials were remastered for home release on Blu-ray and DVD over the last two decades.
Related cast pages
Viewers interested in long-running British science fiction often also look up the The Witcher cast and the The Rings of Power cast.
Cast.biz reference guides
If you want background on how the cast lists on this site are put together, the following short guides cover the basics:
- How TV show casts are built — series regulars, recurring, and guest roles.
- Understanding billing order — what “top-billed” really means.
- Ensemble vs. lead-driven casts — how each shapes a show.
- How casts evolve across seasons — promotions, departures, and recasts.
- Casting directors explained — the people who choose who gets in the room.
- Glossary of cast credits — what each credit term means.
- How streaming changed TV casting — shorter seasons, film actors, global auditions.
- TV show pilots vs. series cast — why pilot casts often differ from the show that airs.
- Editorial standards — how Cast.biz verifies and updates its pages.