It’s been a long, strange trip for the Doctor. Since his first appearance in 1963, he’s traveled through time and space, encountering everything from Daleks to Cybermen to the Weeping Angels. He’s even regenerated into a new form 14 times! So, if you’re a new Whovian or a longtime fan looking to revisit the classic series, you might be asking yourself, “Where do I even begin?” The answer? We’ve got you covered.
Navigating the Time Vortex of Doctor Who Streaming
The challenge with watching Doctor Who is that it’s not a simple linear story. It’s a show that’s been running for decades, with various Doctors, companions, and stories. It’s like a gigantic, multi-dimensional TARDIS – full of wonderful adventures, but easily disorienting if you don’t have a map! But fear not, we're going to be your guide on this journey through time and space, helping you understand the complexities of watching Doctor Who in the streaming age.
Classic Doctor Who (1963-1989)
The first era of Doctor Who is widely considered the golden age of the show, with iconic Doctors like William Hartnell, Jon Pertwee, and Tom Baker, but it also includes the era where many episodes were lost to time.
- Availability: You can find classic Doctor Who on BritBox, the streaming platform dedicated to British television. They have a huge selection of classic episodes and a wide array of extras.
- What to Watch First: Start with the First Doctor, played by William Hartnell. This era is the foundation of the Doctor Who mythos.
- Beware the Missing Episodes: Sadly, many classic episodes are missing. BritBox does a good job of indicating what episodes exist and what ones you'll have to find alternative ways to watch.
The Modern Era (1996 - Present)
The show returned in 1996 with a TV movie starring Paul McGann as the Eighth Doctor. This ushered in the modern era, with a focus on visual effects and more serialized storylines.
- Availability: Modern Doctor Who can be found on HBO Max and BBC America. The show's popularity means there's a wealth of content available, including the latest seasons, specials, and spin-offs.
- The Revival: After the TV movie, Doctor Who returned to television in 2005 with Christopher Eccleston as the Ninth Doctor. This reboot is a great place to start for modern viewers, offering a more modern visual style and exciting storylines.
How to Watch Doctor Who in Order
This is the big question! You can watch the show chronologically, but for many fans, this can be challenging, as the show's continuity is not always linear.
Chronological Viewing:
- Season 1 (1963-1964) – First Doctor: The first season introduces the Doctor, his companion Susan, and the Daleks.
- Season 2 (1964-1965) – First Doctor: The Doctor faces new challenges like the Cybermen.
- Season 3 (1965-1966) – First Doctor: The Doctor's granddaughter, Susan, leaves the TARDIS.
- Season 4 (1966-1967) – First Doctor: This season sees the arrival of the iconic companion, Dodo Chaplet.
- Season 5 (1967-1968) – First Doctor: The Doctor's companion, Dodo Chaplet, leaves, replaced by Ben and Polly.
- Season 6 (1968-1969) – Second Doctor: The Doctor regenerates, becoming the more flamboyant Second Doctor, played by Patrick Troughton.
- Season 7 (1969-1970) – Second Doctor: The Second Doctor continues his adventures with Ben and Polly.
- Season 8 (1970-1971) – Second Doctor: The Second Doctor's companions change, with the arrival of Jamie McCrimmon and Victoria Waterfield.
- Season 9 (1971-1972) – Third Doctor: The Doctor is forced to regenerate again, becoming the more adventurous Third Doctor, played by Jon Pertwee.
- Season 10 (1972-1973) – Third Doctor: The Third Doctor encounters his archenemy, the Master, and his companion, Jo Grant, joins the TARDIS.
- Season 11 (1973-1974) – Third Doctor: The Third Doctor continues his adventures with Jo Grant.
- Season 12 (1974-1975) – Third Doctor: The Third Doctor's companion, Jo Grant, leaves, replaced by Sarah Jane Smith.
- Season 13 (1975-1976) – Fourth Doctor: The Doctor regenerates, becoming the eccentric Fourth Doctor, played by Tom Baker.
- Season 14 (1976-1977) – Fourth Doctor: The Fourth Doctor continues his adventures with Sarah Jane Smith.
- Season 15 (1977-1978) – Fourth Doctor: The Fourth Doctor faces new challenges, with the arrival of a new companion, Leela.
- Season 16 (1978-1979) – Fourth Doctor: The Fourth Doctor's companion, Leela, leaves, replaced by Romana.
- Season 17 (1979-1980) – Fourth Doctor: The Fourth Doctor's companion, Romana, leaves, replaced by K-9.
- Season 18 (1980-1981) – Fourth Doctor: The Fourth Doctor continues his adventures with K-9.
- Season 19 (1981-1982) – Fifth Doctor: The Doctor regenerates again, becoming the more scientific Fifth Doctor, played by Peter Davison.
- Season 20 (1982-1983) – Fifth Doctor: The Fifth Doctor's companion, Tegan Jovanka, joins the TARDIS.
- Season 21 (1983-1984) – Fifth Doctor: The Fifth Doctor encounters new challenges, with the arrival of a new companion, Nyssa.
- Season 22 (1984-1985) – Fifth Doctor: The Fifth Doctor's companion, Nyssa, leaves, replaced by Peri Brown.
- Season 23 (1985-1986) – Sixth Doctor: The Doctor regenerates, becoming the more enigmatic Sixth Doctor, played by Colin Baker.
- Season 24 (1986-1987) – Sixth Doctor: The Sixth Doctor continues his adventures with Peri Brown.
- Season 25 (1987-1988) – Sixth Doctor: The Sixth Doctor's companion, Peri Brown, leaves.
- Season 26 (1988-1989) – Seventh Doctor: The Doctor regenerates, becoming the more cunning Seventh Doctor, played by Sylvester McCoy.
Watch the Doctors in Order:
An alternative approach is to watch the Doctors in order of their appearance. This can be a fun way to see how the Doctor has evolved over time, but it might mean missing some overarching storylines.
- First Doctor (1963-1966): William Hartnell's era is the foundation of the show.
- Second Doctor (1966-1969): Patrick Troughton's era is more experimental and adventurous.
- Third Doctor (1970-1974): Jon Pertwee's era is more action-oriented and features a strong sense of continuity.
- Fourth Doctor (1974-1981): Tom Baker's era is the most iconic, with a long-running Doctor who has become synonymous with the show.
- Fifth Doctor (1981-1984): Peter Davison's era is more science-fiction-oriented and features a strong sense of hope.
- Sixth Doctor (1984-1986): Colin Baker's era is more dramatic and features darker storylines.
- Seventh Doctor (1987-1989): Sylvester McCoy's era is more whimsical and features a strong sense of humor.
- Eighth Doctor (1996): Paul McGann's era is a standalone TV movie that bridges the gap between the classic and modern series.
- Ninth Doctor (2005): Christopher Eccleston's era is a reboot of the show, with a more modern visual style and tone.
- Tenth Doctor (2005-2010): David Tennant's era is the most popular, with a strong sense of adventure and humor.
- Eleventh Doctor (2010-2013): Matt Smith's era is more eccentric and features a more fantastical tone.
- Twelfth Doctor (2013-2017): Peter Capaldi's era is more introspective and features a more complex Doctor.
- Thirteenth Doctor (2018-2022): Jodie Whittaker's era is the first with a female Doctor and features a strong sense of social consciousness.
- Fourteenth Doctor (2022-Present): Ncuti Gatwa's era is the latest, and it's too early to say what tone it will take, but it's sure to be exciting.
Exploring the Spin-Offs and Specials
Doctor Who has a rich history of spin-offs and specials, offering even more opportunities to explore the world of the Doctor.
- Torchwood (2006-2011): This spin-off focuses on a team of alien hunters in Cardiff, Wales, and explores themes of conspiracy and government secrets.
- The Sarah Jane Adventures (2007-2011): This spin-off follows the adventures of Sarah Jane Smith, a former companion of the Doctor, as she protects Earth from alien threats.
- Class (2016): This spin-off is set in a secondary school in Coal Hill (the school from the original series) and features a team of students facing alien threats.
- Doctor Who: The Next Doctor (2008): This special is a standalone adventure set between the Ninth and Tenth Doctors, offering a glimpse into the Doctor's regeneration process.
- Doctor Who: The Day of the Doctor (2013): This special celebrates the 50th anniversary of the show and features multiple Doctors and companions from different eras.
- Doctor Who: The Power of the Doctor (2022): This special marked Jodie Whittaker's final episode as the Doctor.
FAQ: Doctor Who Streaming
Here are some common questions about streaming Doctor Who:
1. What's the best way to watch Doctor Who for the first time?
Start with the 2005 reboot starring Christopher Eccleston. It's a great entry point for new viewers, and it's available on HBO Max and BBC America.
2. Where can I watch the classic series of Doctor Who?
The classic series is available on BritBox. They have a huge selection of episodes and a wide array of extras.
3. What Doctor is the best to start with?
This is a matter of personal preference, but many fans recommend starting with the Ninth Doctor (Christopher Eccleston) or the Tenth Doctor (David Tennant).
4. Do I have to watch the show in order?
You can watch the show chronologically, but many fans prefer to watch the Doctors in order of their appearance.
5. What are some good resources for finding out more about Doctor Who?
There are many great resources available, such as the Doctor Who Wiki, the TARDIS Forum, and the Doctor Who Magazine.
Conclusion
Stepping into the TARDIS and embarking on a journey through the world of Doctor Who can be a thrilling experience. With its iconic characters, imaginative stories, and endless adventures, Doctor Who continues to captivate audiences around the world. Whether you're a new Whovian or a longtime fan, we hope this guide has helped you navigate the time vortex of Doctor Who streaming and find the perfect place to start your own adventures with the Doctor.