Summary

  • David Tennant's portrayal of the Doctor in Doctor Who is considered the best of the "new" Doctors, and he played the role the longest in the modern era.
  • Some of Tennant's standout episodes include "The Day of the Doctor" 50th-anniversary special, "The Girl in the Fireplace," "The Impossible Planet and The Satan Pit," "Midnight," "The Stolen Earth and Journeys End," "Human Nature and The Family of Blood," "Doomsday," and "The End Of Time Parts 1 and 2."
  • Tennant's performances were praised for their emotional depth and range, comedic moments, and ability to create dramatic tension in episodes.

Since the Doctor Who 60th-anniversary special, which will air three highly anticipated specials in November 2023.

Tennant is considered to be the best of the "new" Doctors, having played the Doctor the longest in the modern era. Tennant has starred in fifty episodes of the show, including his brief appearance at the end of "The Power of the Doctor", which saw him return to Doctor Who for the first time in a decade. Since being in Doctor Who, Tennant has continued developing his highly decorated career in both the UK and the US, but his portrayal of the Time Lord is arguably his most notable role to date. Although Tennant provided an incredible performance throughout his tenure, some episodes stand out more than others.

10 The Day of the Doctor

Doctor Who 50th Anniversary Special

"The Day of the Doctor" saw Tennant's Doctor cross paths with the Eleventh Doctor (Matt Smith) and the newly introduced War Doctor (John Hurt), as part of Doctor Who's 50th-anniversary special. This was Tennant's first appearance since his departure in 2010 and also saw the return of Billie Piper, who played the Moment, which had taken the form of the Bad Wolf to appeal to the Doctor. "The Day of the Doctor" saw one of Tennant's more lighthearted performances as the Time Lord, as well as some hilarious moments between him and his successor.

Note: David Tennant's return to Doctor Who, now as the Fourteenth Doctor, was revealed at the end of "The Power of the Doctor."

9 The Girl in the Fireplace

Doctor Who Season 2, Episode 4

Sophia Myles and David Tennant holding hands in the Doctor Who episode The Girl in the Fireplace.

"The Girl in the Fireplace" was one of Tennant's earliest performances as the new Doctor Who actor, and saw the Time Lord and Rose (Piper) take on a group of Clockwork Droids in eighteenth-century . This episode also saw Tennant opposite Sophia Myles, who played the historical figure of Madam de Pompadour, and the two sparked up a brief relationship while filming. The Doctor Who season 2 episode was praised for its emotional storyline, with plenty of humorous moments scattered throughout, all of which were made better by Tennant's acting.

8 The Impossible Planet and The Satan Pit

Doctor Who Season 2, Episodes 8 and 9

David Tennant as the Doctor facing down the Beast in the Satan Pit

Doctor Who season 2 saw the introduction of the Ood, an alien species dedicated to serving the needs of humans. Another of his earlier performances as the Time Lord, this two-parter saw a dramatic and heartfelt performance by Tennant, as the Doctor went up against the Beast, a manifestation of the Devil found at the bottom of an endless pit. This Doctor Who story brilliantly highlighted the slow-burning relationship between the Doctor and Rose, which motivated Tennant's final monologue in the pit in an incredible scene.

7 Midnight

Doctor Who Season 4, Episode 10

"Midnight" is widely considered one of the best Doctor Who companion-lite episodes, and saw the Doctor stuck on an excursion during a visit to the planet Midnight, an alien world covered in diamonds. The main antagonist of this episode did not hold a physical form, instead jumping between the Doctor and Sky Silvestry (Lesley Sharp). Tennant's performance in "Midnight" was praised for his ability to speak in unison with Sharp, as well as the dramatic tension laced throughout. It showcased Tennant's skills in a fun, surprising, and engaging episode.

6 The Stolen Earth and Journeys End

Doctor Who Season 4, Episode 13

The Metacrisis Doctor and Donna stare in shock at the TARDIS scanner screen.

The Doctor Who season 4 two-part finale was a big hit at the time of release, seeing the return of multiple companions, as well as the creation of the Doctor Donna and the departure of Donna Noble (Catherine Tate) from the TARDIS. The highly anticipated story was filled with emotional peaks and valleys, and its final scenes saw one of Tennant's most emotional performances to date, having to heartbrokenly return Donna to her family with her memories wiped. This finale set Tennant's character up for his final episodes, which saw the Tenth Doctor without a companion for the third time.

5 Human Nature and The Family of Blood

Doctor Who Season 3, Episodes 8 and 9

The Tenth Doctor and Joan in Doctor Who's The Family of Blood.

Hiding from the Family, a group of aliens following the Doctor in an attempt to take his Time Lord life essence, the Time Lord hid himself as a human on Earth, in 1913. The season 3 two-parter is considered one of Tennant's most complex and meta performances as the Doctor, portraying a human who was unaware of his true identity as the Time Lord. Filled with tension and uncertainty, these episodes presented some new angles to Tennant's acting range, and the character's relationship with Joan Redfern (Jessica Hynes) provided some deeply emotional moments as John Smith realized he wouldn't be able to spend his life as a human with her.

Ncuti Gatwar as the Fifteenth Doctor in Doctor Who promotional image
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4 Doomsday

Doctor Who Season 2, Episode 13

An image of the Doctor pressed against a wall in Doctor Who

"Doomsday" saw the incredibly emotional departure of Rose Tyler from the TARDIS, as Doctor Who season 2 came to a close. The Doctor's heartbreak clenched audiences as they watched the Time Lord say goodbye to his pink and yellow human, locked away in a parallel world to never be seen again. This episode was also Tennant's first season finale as the Doctor and was consistently praised for his performance, both dramatically and entertainment-wise.

3 The End Of Time Parts 1 and 2

2009 Specials

10th Doctor Regeneration

"The End Of Time" marked the end of Tennant's reign as the Doctor, watching him battle against John Simm's Master once again before bowing out and handing the role over to Matt Smith. The Doctor Who specials that led to Tennant's departure have been widely considered some of his best performances, but his final chapter as the Time Lord stands tall among the bunch. Saying goodbye to Wilfred Mott (Bernard Cribbins), this Doctor was devastated by his regeneration, and his last moments were met with a heartbreaking final line: "I don't want to go."

2 The Waters of Mars

2009 Specials

Doctor Who The Waters of Mars David Tennant as the Tenth Doctor Tme Lord Victorious

"The Waters of Mars" was Tennant's penultimate performance as the Doctor, and is considered Doctor Who's scariest episode, which saw the Time Lord at his most unhinged. Meeting the inhabitants of Bowie Base One, The Doctor encounters The Flood, an alien being living in the shadows of Mars. He then decides to save the team of the first human colonists on Mars, despite their deaths being a fixed point in time. The Doctor spirals out of control, and becomes angry at the universe, claiming that "The laws of time are [his], and they will obey me!"

1 Last of the Time Lords

Doctor Who Season 3, Episode 13

"Last of the Time Lords" saw the final three-episode arc of Doctor Who season 3 come to a close, as Martha Jones (Freema Aygeman) finally overthrew John Simm's Master's rule of Earth. The Doctor had been trapped by his oldest frenemy for over a year, and despite spending the majority of the episode in a CGI form, Tennant still provided a tense and exciting performance. After reverting to his proper form, Tennant showed off his acting chops with a heartbroken moment in what was arguably his best performance in the show. The Doctor emotionally begged the Master to not allow himself to die, hoping he wouldn't have to remain as the last of their species.