Doctor Who: Every Doctor Ranked From Worst To Best
4. The Ninth Doctor (Christopher Eccleston)
Christopher Eccleston's Ninth Doctor (not to be confused with Richard E. Grant's Ninth Doctor from Scream of the Shalka), was an absolute marvel from the moment he uttered the word "Run!".
The fact that he only appeared for a single series feels like a mistake, as the impact Eccleston had on the franchise is hard to truly quantify. He brought a quiet rage, masked with smiles and comedy, to the TARDIS, slipping every so often to display the true horror of the Time War. This incarnation of the Doctor believed that he truly was the last of the Time Lords, and Eccleston sells it with ease.
Behind-the-scenes strife saw Eccleston's departure marred with ill-feeling and controversy, with a press release being issued without his knowledge. For years, the actor refused to discuss what happened, before parts of the story started to bleed through. Then, a happy surprise - he returned to the role of the Doctor, appearing in Big Finish audio dramas.
While this may not be the return that some fans had hoped for, perhaps it may be the beginning of a mending of the ways. It truly feels as though Nine's tenure was cut far too short - here's hoping that will be turned around in the future.