How Much Money Doctor Who's Biggest Stars Got Paid

4. David Tennant

Doctor Who Jodie Whittaker Thirteenth Doctor money
BBC Studios

Doctor Who’s mainstream popularity peaked when David Tennant played the Tenth Doctor. So it should come as no surprise that his salary is, out of all the Doctors, the most speculated about.

This was a Doctor who was unable to lend Donna money without raiding an ATM, yet also managed to procure her a winning lottery ticket. But what of the man himself?

As discussed, Tennant was apparently paid less for Series 2 than Billie Piper, taking home £166,000 to her £210,000. However, if other reports are to be believed, he more than made up for it in the following years.

To give some idea, the same report claims Tennant signed a three-year contract for £500,000, which is roughly £166,000 a year. In today’s money, that would be £275,000 annually.

But the final word goes to The Wrap, which suggests that Tennant ended up receiving a staggering $1 million per year. That sounds more realistic for the latter stages of his run when his value was undeniable. $1 million in 2008 would've been around £500,000 – that's £785,000 adjusted for inflation in 2024.

No wonder the money in The Runaway Bride had Tennant’s face printed on it.

In this post: 
Doctor Who
 
Posted On: 
Contributor
Contributor

Doctor Who fan/YouTuber and now writer for WhatCulture!