10 Ways Modern Doctor Who Changed The Show Forever

While there are definite exceptions like Ace, Jo Grant, Sarah Jane Smith, or Ian and Barbara, the characterisation of the average companion in the classic era was quite paper-thin. The 1980s were particularly bad for this, with Tegan and Adric rarely being afforded the chance to step out of their air hostess or boy genius archetypes.

Rose Tyler, on the other hand, was a multi-dimensional character who was far more than a companion to the Doctor.

The dynamic outlined for the Doctor and Rose in RTD's pitch document was as follows:

"They need each other and complete each other – he’s got a mind full of time and space, she’s entirely down to earth. A perfect match."

That's as true for Rose Tyler as it is for the countless companions who followed her. Maintaining that connection to Earth allowed us to understand the companions better, by introducing us to the homes (and the families) they were leaving behind.

This multi-layered approach to character also gave us more engaging TARDIS team dynamics. For example, Martha's unrequited love for the Doctor, and her struggles to live up to the ghost of Rose Tyler, informed so many of her stories in a way that Tegan's job as an air hostess just never did.

That's not to say that every companion in the modern series is a three-dimensional work of art, but giving them more of the spotlight has only made Doctor Who richer, adding a firm relatable anchor to all those alien and off-world shenanigans.