Doctor Who's Classic RTD Era: Unveiling the Ultimate Ranking of Its 13 Greatest Characters!

Summary

Russell T Davies' reboot of Doctor Who in 2005 introduced memorable and in-depth character arcs, resonating with audiences.

Speculation is rife on the potential impact of David Tennant's reprisal as the Fourteenth Doctor in the highly anticipated 60th anniversary special. Notably, characters such as Adam Mitchell, Alonso Frame, Harriet Jones, Mickey Smith, and Wilfred Mott have all played crucial roles in the Doctor's exploits, displaying their individual development and unwavering loyalty.

Russell T Davies is entering his second era of Doctor Who, and audiences are already familiar with the incredible character arcs that have been introduced. When Davies rebooted Doctor Who in 2005, it brought back the classic show to its prominent position on British television. With the introduction of Christopher Eccleston as the Ninth Doctor and Billie Piper as Rose Tyler, the characters created by Davies have made a lasting impression through their deep journeys, both physically and emotionally.

In November 2023, fans will eagerly await the airing of the highly anticipated sixtieth anniversary special. This special will mark the return of David Tennant as the Fourteenth Doctor, also known as the Tenth Doctor. This has led to much speculation about how this return will impact The Doctor's characterization and timeline. Davies' first era as Showrunner of Doctor Who was known for its detailed character development, and even thirteen years after his departure, the characters he created still hold a significant place in the lore of the show.

13 Adam Mitchell

In 2012, Adam Mitchell crossed paths with the Ninth Doctor and Rose Tyler. Their encounter took place while they were assisting billionaire Henry van Statten, who kept a Dalek restrained in his research facility. After assisting in the rescue of Rose, Adam was invited to join the Doctor's travels. Despite his brief stint of two episodes, played by Bruno Langley, Adam's time traveling with the Doctor was abruptly ended.

Unlike other companions, Adam did not possess the same admiration for the Doctor as Rose did. In fact, he chose to implant an informational chip on Satellite Five in order to manipulate his own timeline. Adam openly debated this with the Doctor, firmly believing that the Doctor was responsible for the consequences of their adventures. Consequently, Adam became the first companion to be ejected from the TARDIS by the Doctor.

12 Alonso Frame

Alonso, initially introduced as the midshipman aboard the Titanic in the festive episode Voyage of the Damned, displayed bravery in preventing the ship from crashing into Earth under the guidance of the Doctor. This heroic act saved the lives of billions of people. Following the Tenth Doctor's departure from the wreckage, Alonso grappled with the aftermath on his own.

In the audio drama One Enchanted Evening, it was revealed that Alonso struggled with the loss of the Titanic passengers but regained his courage when he crossed paths with Captain Jack Harkness, who had been arranged by the Tenth Doctor. Despite his cautious nature, Alonso's final recognized appearance involved rescuing Jack from an assault and constructing an escape pod for himself, resulting in their separation.

11 Harriet Jones

10 Mickey Smith

Harriet Jones, a fictional politician in Doctor Who, initially crossed paths with the Ninth Doctor when she held a role as a frail yet enthusiastic member of parliament representing Flydale North. During their first encounter, Harriet brought comfort to Rose Tyler and fearlessly confronted the Slitheen, demonstrating her determination to find a way out. Harriet's exceptional leadership abilities and dedication to her community propelled her to become the Prime Minister of the UK. Even after the Doctor had her removed from office, she utilized the Subwave Network to assist his companions in locating him. Harriet displayed immense bravery by standing up to the Daleks in order to prevent them from annihilating the entire universe.

Mickey Smith initially portrayed Rose Tyler's timid boyfriend, but his character underwent a remarkable transformation as the series progressed. Despite his initial fear, Mickey eventually found his courage and joined the Tenth Doctor and Rose aboard the TARDIS. As his journey unfolded, he made the courageous decision to remain in a parallel universe, where he actively participated in the ongoing battle against the Cybermen.

Mickey's loyalty to Rose always remained unwavering, despite the evident love between Rose and the Doctor. He supported his family-in-law throughout, and when the Meta-Crisis Doctor emerged, assuring Rose's safety, Mickey made the decision to return to his own universe in the season four finale. This choice finally allowed him to prioritize his own life and well-being.

9 The Ninth Doctor

In the reboot of the show in 2005, Christopher Eccleston's Doctor became the first Doctor. After the Time War, which occurred off-screen, the Ninth Doctor encountered Rose Tyler in London. He unintentionally caused an explosion at the shop where she worked while defending Earth from the Autons. Throughout his one season, the character of the Ninth Doctor focused heavily on his grief for the loss of his planet and species. Rose challenged him when this grief influenced his actions towards living beings. Despite his moments of humor, the Ninth Doctor ultimately carried a dark and pained demeanor. However, at the end, he let go and embraced his regeneration to save Rose's life.

8 Wilfred Mott

In Voyage of the Damned, the Tenth Doctor briefly interacted with Wilf, but he remembered him when they met again later on. The Doctor discovered that Wilf was Donna Noble's grandfather and Wilf became a loyal companion, defending the Doctor against Sylvia's comments. He was determined to see his grandchild travel through space. However, when Donna's memory was wiped and she returned home, it deeply saddened Wilf to see her unable to remember her past.

Although he understood the Doctor's reasons, Wilf still held out hope that Donna would one day regain her memories and return to him. When that didn't happen, he stood by the Doctor's side and helped save the Earth from the Master. Ultimately, it was Wilf who caused the Tenth Doctor's regeneration, despite his pleas for the Doctor to sacrifice him instead. Filming photographs have confirmed that Wilf will appear in the 60th anniversary specials, which were shot before Cribbins' death in July 2022.

7 The Master

John Simm's Master was the inaugural regeneration of the Master to make an appearance in Davies' initial Doctor Who era, starring in the program's premiere three-part episode. Remaining faithful to the core personality of the Master from the classic Doctor Who series, Simm's Master exhibited instability and an unwavering determination to inflict maximum damage, particularly upon his longtime adversary, the Doctor. A defining characteristic of this incarnate of the Master was his incessant drumming inside his mind, a manifestation of psychosis that he cleverly exploited to manipulate planet Earth into trusting him. Additionally, this iteration of the Master displayed a propensity for physical violence, which frequently caused the Doctor great apprehension.

6 Captain Jack Harkness

Throughout the show, Jack made frequent appearances as a faithful companion to multiple versions of the Doctor. With his irresistible charm and flirtatious nature, Jack's immortality allowed him to witness the passage of history while awaiting the Doctor's return. During this time, he revitalized the Torchwood Three division in Cardiff. However, instead of accompanying the Doctor indefinitely, Jack made the decision to remain on Earth and safeguard it. His unwavering dedication to the universe and Torchwood remained evident, even after enduring the loss of most of his team. In his final on-screen moment, he departed the Thirteenth Doctor's (Jodie Whittaker) TARDIS in search of his longtime friend Gwen Cooper (Eve Myles).

5 ​​​​​​Sarah Jane Smith

Sarah Jane Smith (Elisabeth Sladen) was the most prominent companion to return from the classic era during Davies' tenure. In the season two episode "School Reunion," Sarah Jane and the Tenth Doctor were joyfully reunited. However, Sarah Jane couldn't help but feel a pang of unease as she saw her own aging reflection, while the Doctor continued his adventures with younger companions.

Nevertheless, Sarah Jane's character evolved over time. She came to realize that the Doctor saw her for who she truly was, regardless of her age. Their reunion played a significant role in softening Sarah Jane's attitude, allowing her to shift her focus toward helping Earth. Furthermore, her reunion with the Doctor motivated her to protect her adopted son and pass on her vast knowledge of the universe to him.

4 The Tenth Doctor

David Tennant, the longest-running Doctor during Davies' era, has appeared in 50 episodes of Doctor Who, with more to come as he returns as the Fourteenth Doctor. The Tenth Doctor's character was a beautiful combination of grieving for his lost friends and an endearing goofiness that could charm anyone. He often found himself faced with seemingly impossible decisions.

One notable example of this is Tennant's second-to-last episode, "The Waters of Mars." The episode begins with the Doctor marveling at the first humans to inhabit Mars and ends with his emotional breakdown caused by altering a fixed point in time. This episode effectively showcased the overall character development of the Tenth Doctor in just one hour. Through his companions and various experiences, he learned about the harshest aspects of the universe and how to open himself up to others again after experiencing loss.

3 Rose Tyler

Rose Tyler played a pivotal role in Davies' era, as she was the first person the Doctor allowed into his hearts after the Time War. Despite initially lacking any significant achievements or prospects, her adventures in the TARDIS transformed her into a resilient and compassionate warrior, revealing to her a broader perspective on existence beyond her nineteen years on Earth.

Her deep affection for the Doctor helped him find solace from his inner turmoil and rediscover the joy of living. Even when trapped in a parallel world, Rose summoned the courage not only to reunite with the Doctor but also to risk her own life in order to protect all forms of life in the universe from the menacing Daleks and their leader, Davros.

2 Donna Noble

1 Martha Jones

: Revered as the universe's most important woman, Donna Noble made a grand entrance into the life of the Tenth Doctor on her wedding day. Subsequently, she became his faithful companion, leading to the emergence of the Meta-Crisis Doctor in the season 4 finale. Initially plagued by insecurity and a belief in her inadequacy, Donna utilized her boisterous and confrontational demeanor as a shield. However, her time spent with the Doctor gradually allowed her to recognize her true value. She fearlessly challenged his notions of fairness in the cosmos, realizing that her own thoughts held merit and gained the Doctor's attentive ear. Without Donna's distinct perspective, both prior to and following the DoctorDonna paradox, the salvation of the universe would not have been possible.

Martha Jones, a medical student turned soldier, played a crucial role in the life of the Tenth Doctor. As his companion, she had a profound impact on the Doctor's perspective following the loss of Rose. Despite constantly being overshadowed by the memory of Rose, Martha was determined to establish her own identity and voiced her concerns about how the Doctor treated her. Nonetheless, Martha fearlessly took the initiative to save the Earth and her loved ones, displaying immense bravery even without the Doctor's assistance.

Prior to Martha, it was evident that the Doctor was deeply affected by the absence of Rose. Despite enduring mistreatment from the Master and her own family, Martha displayed strength by making the difficult decision to distance herself from the Doctor, recognizing her own importance elsewhere. Of the companions, Martha stands out for her courageous honesty and genuine affection towards the Doctor, urging him to let go and embrace new chapters in his life, for his own well-being and the betterment of the universe.