There are two types of people in this world: those for whom ‘doctor who?’ is a question and those who know the answer: Doctor Who. If you consider yourself a Whovian, then you’re probably a diehard fan who has your opinion on who ranks as the best Doctor Who. In reality, it’s difficult to compare doctors to each other, as each actor or actress brought their own unique spin and flare to the time lord, thus making the role their own.

For example, Christopher Eccleston was the cool, goofy doctor known for exclaiming “Fantastic!” While his starring role as the doctor only lasted for one season of the show, he made a big splash as the first doctor to kick off the new season of the rebooted franchise. His portrayal was very different from that of Peter Capaldi’s grumpy, grandfatherly doctor, who frequently ordered people to shut up. Plus, we can’t forget about Jodie Whittaker, who caught the eye of fans as the first woman to play the doctor, or Ncuti Gatwa, who was recently cast as the 14th doctor and who takes the center stage as the first Black lead in the show, though not necessarily playing the first Black doctor, as Black actress Jo Martin played an alternative version of the doctor for several episodes in season 12.

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While each actor or actress offered a different take on the beloved doctor, some performances do stand out from the rest. Among those stellar performances is David Tennant’s as the 10th doctor.

Doctor Who Inspired David Tennant to Become an Actor

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It’s ironic that Scottish actor David Tennant would become the 10th doctor, as the show was actually the reason that he decided to become an actor in the first place. According to Mental Floss, around the age of 3 or 4, David Tennant decided to pursue a career in acting after being inspired by watching Doctor Who. It’s even reported that he used to get in trouble at school due to all the essays he would write about the sci-fi show. Therefore, it’s ironic and fateful that he would eventually get to play his dream role of the time lord.

When David Tennant was first cast as the 10th doctor back in 2005, he had already made his mark as an actor, having appeared in several films, BBC series, Shakespeare plays, and other stage productions. However, his role as the time-traveling doctor brought him international fame and a worldwide audience. Today, Tennant is a world-renowned and critically acclaimed actor and has come a very long way from his first onscreen appearance when he was just a teenager.

A Suave, Charming, and Sophisticated Doctor

David Tennant made his Doctor Who debut right after Christopher Eccleston’s doctor was killed by sacrificing himself to save companion Rose Tyler’s life. For many viewers, Tennant was relatively unknown and therefore, we weren’t sure what to expect from this new doctor. Nonetheless, Tennant became one of the most beloved doctors on the show. His portrayal as a time lord was one of confidence and charisma that earned him the status of a sex symbol. Additionally, the 10th doctor is known for developing romantic feelings for many of his female companions like Rose Tyler, Martha Jones, and Donna Noble.

While many of the companions look up to the doctor and think of him as a savior to the universe, David Tennant brought a humbleness and weariness to the doctor. He showed the toll his adventures had taken on him, expressing regrets at past mistakes or things he couldn’t fix or people he couldn’t save. Tennant’s doctor was suave and sophisticated, but he also wasn’t arrogant. He became a heartthrob of a doctor, and many fans developed crushes on him. His portrayal was incredibly human and relatable, as he always tried to do the right thing and save the day (or the entire human population). Yet that choice wasn’t always easy, as it ultimately resulted in his demise.

A Heartbreaking Ending

There are plenty of opinions and debates on the internet on who is the best doctor. However, the show speaks for itself as David Tennant’s regeneration is one of the most dramatic, drawn-out, heartbreaking doctor deaths in the franchise. In the final episode of season four of the new series, the 10th doctor saves his human friend Wilfred Mott by taking his place in a radiation booth, thus dying of radiation poisoning.

The doctor begins to feel the pain of the radiation poison setting in. However, before he enters the Tardis to regenerate, he sees an ood standing in the snow. The ood then tells the doctor in what is a painfully heartbreaking moment that “The universe will sing you to your sleep.” As the time lord succumbs to the radiation poisoning, we get a final closeup of his face in which he tells the universe, “I don’t wanna go.” His pain is reflected in his face and perhaps mirrors David Tennant’s sadness at leaving the show and bidding his dream role farewell.

The Doctor Will Return

Yes, we know that Doctor Who is still up and running with actor Ncuti Gatwa confirmed as the newest doctor. In addition, it’s also confirmed that David Tennant will be back as the 10th doctor. Returning alongside Tennant will be his costar Catherine Tate, who played Donna Noble, one of his traveling companions. This news will excite many fans who believed this to be the most beloved and comical pairings in the franchise. In fact, the 13-episode run that Tennant and Tate shared in 2008 was the most successful since the revival of the new series in 2005.

During that time, the average episode received more than eight million viewers. Those episodes also had a high degree of critical acclaim which earned a nomination for best drama at that year’s BAFTA Awards. The pair will return for the show’s 60th anniversary, which will air in 2023. This anniversary special is sure to be a success as Doctor Who head writer Russell T. Davies is also returning for the collaboration. “Fantastic!”