Doctor Who: 4 Reasons Why Patrick Troughton Might Be The Greatest Doctor of Them All!

4. Patrick Troughton

William Hartnell€™s Doctor was an ill tempered frail, crotchety, absent minded grandfather who often seemed to despise his companions. When ill health forced him to withdraw from the role, the Doctor Who producers could have found a Hartnell look alike, or an impersonator to continue in the style that audiences had become accustomed. Instead, they went in a different direction. They chose to completely reinvent the character and cast an actor who neither looked like, nor would act like Hartnell. Patrick Troughton reinterpreted the Doctor as a comedic, scheming uncle who gleefully threw himself into adventures and who genuinely enjoyed having his companions along for the ride. Troughton€™s initial ideas on how to reinvent the Doctor from dressing up in blackface or playing the character as a tough sea captain, were wisely rejected for a €œcosmic hobo,€ interpretation of the role. This decision paid off as the new Doctor proved more accessible to the audience, more fun and like the children who tuned in every week, was often terrified of the monsters he faced. The successful handover of the role from one actor to another allowed for the character to change, the show to evolve and the adventure to continue.