Every Modern Doctor Who Season Ranked From Best To Worst

After 16 years without our beloved Timelord, there was a real sense of nervous anticipation as the rebooted series drew near. Christopher Ecclestone seemed a strong choice as The Doctor, but the internet nearly went into meltdown when it was revealed that ex popstar Billie Piper would be taking the role of the sole companion, Rose Tyler.

Any concerns however quickly dissipated with Piper more than matching Ecclestone, with the characters of Rose and The Doctor moving forward and growing together. The series had a far greater emphasis on character development than the classic series, with the decision to get to know Rose's friends and family an unexpected delight.

There was also a stack of great plot developments, including the massive news that the Doctor's home planet Gallifrey was destroyed and that the Doctor was now the only surviving Timelord.

Showrunner Russell T Davies made the smart call to deliver information to the fans with the assumption that they have no prior knowledge of the show, allowing new and old fans to connect with the show equally. A strong connection with companion Rose was crucial for new fans, and Piper thankfully nailed the role to perfection.

The special effects were much improved overall, with the only downsides for the series being the early departure of Ecclestone and the generally mediocre villains. While the Daleks were brought to life in a manner that enhanced their villainy, the likes of the Slitheen and the Michael Jackson like Cassandra cheapened the overall impact of certain episodes.