Doctor Who is the longest running science-fiction TV show, and the series only continues to grow and add more creative aliens and lovable new characters. The show is already gearing up to celebrate its 60th anniversary, and the reboot has already been around for 17 years (since 2005). We love the show’s diverse range of plots and characters, and the fun sense of adventure and humor it contains while telling a wide spectrum of compelling, entertaining sci-fi stories. With Doctor Who’s ever-changing cast, it can be difficult to keep even the main characters straight, as they’re often shifting as the iconic time lord regenerates. Here is a list of the Doctor’s best companions since the reboot.
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9 Dan Lewis
BBC Studios
As one of the most recent additions to the cast, it is still hard to decide how we feel about Dan Lewis’ addition to the team. Dan is older than many of the Doctor’s other companions, and brings with him the benefit of experience. He is almost as curious as the Doctor but with less knowledge. Hopefully we will get to see him more and know him better going forward.
MOVIEWEB VIDEO OF THE DAY
MOVIEWEB VIDEO OF THE DAY
MOVIEWEB VIDEO OF THE DAY
8 Yasmin Khan
With two other companions fighting for the camera, Yasmin struggled to make her way into audience’s hearts. As Collider says, her character was underused for her entire first season. Her romance with the 13th Doctor finally came to the forefront in the 2021 Christmas special, which really utilized Yasmin’s charm like never before. Yasmin’s biggest strength is her ability to keep a cool head under pressure.
7 Bill Potts
Bill Potts was one of the most relatable companions. Her way of speaking without a filter feels like the adventurous friend that anyone is lucky to have, and her reactions to every new alien, planet, and time are almost vicariously satisfying, as they represent us as the audience. Even though she can keep her head in a crisis, she sometimes doesn’t have quite the same measured response as the Doctor’s usual companions. The final companion of the 12th Doctor, Bill Potts was a refreshing take on the age-old companions we see in Doctor Who.
6 Clara Oswald
It is always hard for a new companion to grow into their relationship with the Doctor, but that is especially true after following up a widely popular companion. Clara had the misfortune of coming onto the scene after River Song, Amy Pond, and Rory William’s story arcs concluded. Clara’s soft but strong character had received mixed reviews. In many ways, though, her character is thought to be the most like the Doctor’s. She is reckless, bold, and seeks adventure at all costs. Some people loved the plot about her getting scattered over the doctor’s timeline, and others found her story lackluster, but she made a wonderful compliment to Peter Capaldi’s Doctor.
5 Ryan Sinclair
Ryan Sinclair is not as brazen as many of the other characters on this list, but his loyalty to his friends gives him the courage to stand up for them in any situation. Ryan is also one of the few characters on TV to struggle with dyspraxia, a mental disorder that harms motor skills. Ryan is usually high functioning, but occasionally he makes “clumsy” mistakes that put him, his friends, and even the world in danger. We love him for his quiet determination and underplayed strengths, and how he shatters the illusion of ableism.
4 Rory Williams
As the husband of Amy Pond, at first we expected Rory to be another minor character with little impact on the overall plot of the show. However, Rory surprised us all with his willingness and determination to come along for the ride. His love for Amy allowed him to wait for and protect her over centuries (as the last centurion). He often questioned the doctor’s rashness and disagreed with the doctor putting those they loved in danger. His loyalty and courage to have tough conversations makes him an important companion on the show.
3 Donna Noble
Catherine Tate is known for her snarky sense of humor in great British comedy shows, and this role proves no exception. As one of the few companions not to fall for the Doctor, she maintained a fun and upbeat friendship without the usual romantic angst. Her strong personality allowed her to hold her own against David Tennant’s Doctor and his lifetimes of experience. We were disappointed when she left the show after only one season, but grateful for the time we got to watch her.
2 Amy Pond
We love Amy for her fierce personality and life-preserving instinct. Her bravery allowed her to keep a cool head under pressure and escape catastrophe even when separated from the doctor on multiple occasions. Amy also turned out to be the mother of another fan-favorite character, making her impact on the show even more long-lasting. Amy’s end was both one of the most heart-warming and heart-wrenching to ever happen on the show.
1 Rose Tyler
BBC Sudios
Rose Tyler had one of the greatest impacts on the doctor’s character arc. At the start of the show’s reboot, Christopher Eccleston played a version of the Doctor burdened and hardened by his experiences in the great time war. In a way he was broken, pessimistic, and unsympathetic toward his acquaintances. Rose’s deep love for the Doctor allowed her to find a balance between being loyal and challenging his harsh decisions. Her compassion toward everyone (even the Daleks) helped the doctor heal during one of the darkest times of his life and revitalize both his hearts (and the Doctor Who series as a whole).
