Doctor Who is the longest-running science fiction show in history. It has been around for almost 60 years. With so many different actors, episodes, and story-lines, it can be tough to navigate where to begin watching if you are a new fan. We have generated a list of episodes to watch for people who have never watched Doctor Who.

History of Doctor Who

Doctor Who is a science-fiction television show that began in 1963 on the BBC. It started out as a children’s historical-fiction show and has turned into a world-wide science-fiction classic with fans of all ages. It ran from 1963 until 1996 with seven different actors portraying the main character, The Doctor. The Doctor is an alien from the planet Gallifrey who, although not immortal, has the ability to cheat death by regenerating into a new form. The Doctor travels throughout time and space in a spaceship called the TARDIS.  In 1996 there was even a Doctor Who movie that starred the eighth Doctor played by Paul McGann. Then, there was a hiatus. (The show was canceled). The BBC brought it back in 2005 with the return of the ninth incarnation played by Christopher Eccleston and it has been running since. 

Here are the actors who have played the Doctor since the show began:

• First – William Hartnell, 1963-1966
• Second – Patrick Troughton, 1966-1969
• Third – Jon Pertwee, 1970-1974
• Fourth – Tom Baker, 1974-1981
• Fifth – Peter Davison, 1981-1984
• Sixth – Colin Baker, 1984-1986
• Seventh – Sylvester McCoy, 1987-1989
• Eighth – Paul McGann, 1996 (movie)
• Ninth – Christopher Eccleston, 2005 (one season)
• Tenth – David Tennant, 2005-2010
• Eleventh – Matt Smith, 2010-2013
• Twelfth – Peter Capaldi, 2013-2017
• Thirteenth – Jodie Whittaker, 2017-present

Knowing where to start

Being a self-proclaimed superfan, I understand that Doctor Who can be overwhelming and that finding a starting point can be difficult. I find that it is best to introduce new fans or prospective fans (whether they are willing or not, let’s be honest) to episodes that don’t require a whole lot of backstory. If you start anywhere, it can get a little timey-wimey…

I have generated a list of episodes that, in my opinion, would be a good starting point. Each episode is one from every “new-Who” (2005-present) Doctor Who actor. The ninth Doctor, tenth Doctor (played by David Tennant), eleventh Doctor (played by Matt Smith), the twelfth Doctor (played by Peter Capaldi), and the thirteenth Doctor (currently being played by Jodie Whittaker).

Also, I put my feelers out into the Twitter world and got an overwhelming amount of responses.

My Doctor Who episode watch-list

Starting from the ninth Doctor (Eccleston) series, I recommend “The Empty Child/The Doctor Dances.” (Season 1, Episodes 9 and 10) Yes, that is actually a two-part episode. It showcases the time travel since the Doctor and his companion, Rose (played by Billie Piper) travel to World War II London in 1941. Also, it has the touch of alien/something weird is going on. “The Empty Child” shows the army protecting an out-of-place cylinder, while homeless children are being terrorized by what they call “an unearthly child.” A little boy with a WWII gas mask on is wandering the streets calling out, “Are you my mummy?” When he touches anyone, they too end up with a gas mask coming out of their heads and crying out for their “mummy.” I don’t want to give away too much in case someone who has never seen it is reading, so I will stop right there. I will say this: the end of the second part, “The Doctor Dances,” is a happy one!

“Partners in Crime” (Season 4, Episode 1) is a tenth Doctor (David Tennant) episode that aired in 2008. This is my personal favorite episode of the Tenth Doctor’s episodes. It’s funny, exciting, and it shows the heart of the Doctor in a whimsical way. The villain in the episode is basically a nanny from outer space who wants to take care of her “children,” which happen to be adorable blobs of fat. Yes. Fat. There is not a whole lot of need for context in this episode which helps guide people into watching. This is probably one of the most lighthearted episodes of the run with the tenth Doctor.

Moving into the eleventh Doctor’s series, “The Eleventh Hour” (Season 5, Episode 1) is by far a fan favorite to use to introduce the show. Most people on Twitter agreed here. This is the very first episode of the newly regenerated Doctor (Matt Smith). It has the right amount of humor, and it introduces the new incarnation as well as giving background on the new companions, Amy Pond (played by Karen Gillan) and Rory Williams (played by Arthur Darvill). It showcases time travel, aliens, and who the Doctor truly is (even though he has changed). Honestly, it feels like the overture for the entire season to come. It beautifully sets the stage for everything that comes next.

Next, “Into the Dalek” (Season 8, Episode 2) is a wonderful twelfth Doctor (Peter Capaldi) episode. The Doctor confronts his scary, long-time nemesis: the Daleks. It brings in elements of fear and anger and shows the struggle between good and evil. The Dalek questions who and what it is, which is a great way to look back at the history of the villain. After all, the Daleks have been around since the 1960’s when the show first started. This is a great stand-alone episode that gives a brief history of his battle with this evil race.

Finally, a great episode to show new fans or prospective fans would be “Rosa” (Season 11, Episode 3) from the thirteenth Doctor (Jodie Whittaker) season. One of my favorite things about the New Who era is when writers go back to the show’s roots: history. “Rosa” is a beautifully done, historical episode with an alien twist. You get to feel the heart of the Doctor as she makes sure history still happens, even with an alien villain trying to ruin things. It is still tragic, like history, but the acting and story-line are incredible by everyone in the episode.

Twitter’s Choice

Like I said at the beginning of this article, I got so many responses on Twitter about this topic. The best part was that a lot of people said pretty much the same episodes, so I was able to make a list without leaving too many out. Here are 15 episodes/stories that Whovians (Doctor Who fans) agreed were the best for new show watchers to start with.

1. “Blink” (Season 3, Episode 10) –  Most people on Twitter suggested this one after “The Eleventh Hour.” This episode has a scary movie vibe to it for sure and will make you nervous around stone angel statues for the rest of your life. It is clever and very well written.
2. “Vincent and the Doctor” (Season 5, Episode 10) – One of my all-time favorites, this is a period piece where the Doctor (Matt Smith) takes Amy (Karen Gillan) back in time to see her favorite artist, Vincent Van Gogh. It is another historical piece with an alien twist. There’s humor, excitement, and an outstanding speech about Van Gogh’s work and his impact on the world.
3. “Midnight” (Season 4, Episode 10) – Another wonderful, stand-alone episode, “Midnight” showcases some really incredible acting done by David Tennant.
4. “Silence in the Library/Forest of the dead” (Season 4, Episodes 8 &9) – This is a two-part episode that showcases the mess that time travel can be in this show. Also, it is another one that is just scary enough to feel like a thriller. It does have elements of heartbreak as well. I believe this will make anyone emotionally invested in the characters.
5. “Girl in the Fireplace” (Season 2, Episode 4) – Another historical-type episode that has all of the elements of the show wrapped up in a romantic-esque bow. Time travel, robot aliens, and Madame de Pompadour!
6. “Rose” (Season 1, Episode 1) – The episode that restarted the series! Without “Rose” is a success, we wouldn’t have the show we know and love today. Sure, it is a bit cheesy, but it sets the stage for the entire new Who series to come and gives us all of the backgrounds we need to understand who the Doctor is after all of these years.
7. “Smith and Jones” (Season 3, Episode 1) – In this episode, we meet Martha Jones (played by Freema Agyeman). It is always a fun adventure when you, the viewer, meets the Doctor for the first time like the characters in the show!
8. “Dalek” (Season 1, Episode 6) – Talk about an episode with fire and passion. “Dalek” brings back the long-time enemy of the Doctor. In this episode, we see the anger inside of the Doctor, and we get the wonderful balance that his friends and companions bring to the table.
9. “Rings of Akhaten” (Season 7, Episode 7) – If you are looking for a heart-wrenching, powerful monologue, then this is the episode for you. Matt Smith’s acting is incredible, the villain is terrifying, and the resolution is even more beautiful.
10. “The Woman Who Fell to Earth” (Season 11, Episode 1) – This is Jodie Whittaker’s first episode as the Doctor. The Doctor is in the process of learning who she is and what this next regeneration will be like. We meet new companions as well. It is always a good idea to start with the first episode of a season.
11. “Remembrance of the Daleks” (Classic Series 25, 4 parts) – When Doctor Who was around in the 1960s through the 1990s, the episodes were longer stories broken into multiple parts. This series is the Seventh Doctor (played by Sylvester McCoy) and brings excitement alongside his friend and companion Ace (played by Sophie Aldred).
12. “The Three Doctors” (Classic Series 10, 4 parts) – The first, second, and third Doctor (William Hartnell, Patrick Troughton, and John Pertwee respectively) are all in this together, which is exciting to see the same person being played by different people. Some of the most creative writing happens when you get the Doctor together with himself!
13. “Pyramids of Mars” (Classic Series 13, 4 parts) – Here is another historical-fiction story with the fourth Doctor (played by Tom Baker). Tom Baker was the longest-running actor for the part in the show’s history. Baker’s run is known for having the perfect amount of humor alongside some fantastic quotable lines.
14. “City of Death” (Classic Series 17, 4 parts) – Forgive me, as I am not completely familiar with the Fourth Doctor’s stories. This one is set in Paris, and an alien is attempting to steal the Mona Lisa to finance time travel experiments. As a Classic Who novice, this one absolutely sounds like a must-watch!
15. “An Unearthly Child” (Classic Series 1, 4 parts) – This is the story that started it all. In 1963, this was the very first episode of the show to ever air. It is in black and white, which might sound obvious. To see the technology used back in those days to bring this show to life is incredible. I would recommend this to anyone who loves classic television.

What are your go-to episodes/stories to show new fans? Were any of them on these lists? Let us know!

https://twitter.com/sagen7/status/1232421549300338688

I think Heaven Sent is great to show people who the doctor is, with no companion around the focus is really on him and how his brain works

— Jasmine (@jazhands8) February 25, 2020

https://twitter.com/BryterMoon/status/1232349208570626048

I’ve introduced 7 people to Doctor Who who’d say they’d never watch it (and now love it). If they enjoy surprises “Silence in the Library”/“Forrest of the dead” does the trick. For the romantically inclined “The Girl in the Fireplace”. And for science-fiction readers: “Midnight”.

— (Morgann’s version) in the blue sky (@Morgann_Gicquel) February 25, 2020

https://twitter.com/BorchidJoseph/status/1232369414269554691

Keeping with episodes that best showcase the show themes

Classic Who:
ROBOT
PYRAMIDS OF MARS
ROBOTS OF DEATH
or CITY OF DEATH

NU-Who:
SILENCE IN THE LIBRARY / FOREST OF DEAD
TIME HEIST
MUMMY ON THE ORIENT EXPRESS

There are others in both categories, but I kept it introductory.

— Dr.PTOR's ‎SanctumSanctorum 🤟 (@SanctumBlog) February 26, 2020

The Doctor's Wife. It has all the básico elements of the Show. And it's the one I started with 😊😊😊

— DW Fun Facts España (@DWFactsSpain) February 26, 2020

If you are a new fan or even a long-time fan and want to see clips of episodes or behind the scenes, then go to the official Doctor Who YouTube!

For more Doctor Who coverage:

Doctor Who Season 12, Episode 8 “The Haunting of Villa Diodati”

Doctor Who “Can You Hear Me?” was a thrilling and insightful episode

Doctor Who’s Jodie Whittaker is charming American audiences