Doctor Who: EVERY Doctor Ranked Worst To Best

Following Matt Smith’s own departure, Moffat went to the opposite end of the scale, casting the oldest Doctor yet: Peter Capaldi.

The result was an incarnation that embodies the character better than any other – not least because Capaldi, like Tennant, is a massive Doctor Who fan, and was able to incorporate shades of old Doctors in his performance.

He also had the best character development of any Doctor, starting off as prickly and intense but softening over time (basically the Sixth Doctor’s arc done right).

A big part of this was the continuation of the character destruction introduced in the Smith era. Underneath the often blunt, sarcastic exterior, Twelve struggles to see himself as a “good” man – both because of the harsh choices he has to make, and the high standards he holds himself to.

As a result, he’s also one of the more mature Doctors, recognising when he’s gone too far (such as when saving Clara in Hell Bent) and deciding that, ultimately, all that really matters is being kind.

It’s Moffat’s interpretation of the Doctor distilled: that they’re not a hero per se, rather a traveller passing through and doing their best.

Add to that Capaldi’s classy, sophisticated performance, and you have something truly special. Twelve really was a Doctor for the ages, and he deservedly tops our list.