Doctor Who is still going strong. The iconic sci-fi series was revived in 2005 after a 16-year hiatus, with numerous actors chancing their arms as the timelord in the time since. Christopher Eccleston was the first to step into the Tardis, before being replaced by David Tennant. Matt Smith came next, Peter Capaldi came after him and, ever since, Jodie Whittaker has given it her best shot.
There are no signs of things slowing down, either, with series 13 scheduled to hit later in 2021. So, ahead of the latest season, take a look back at all that has gone before and how each season ranks based on their Metacritic user scores.
Season 11: 2.4
After Capaldi left, the BBC decided to take a plunge by going with Whittaker - who had previously starred in shows such as Black Mirror and Broadchurch - as well as the comedy movie, Attack the Block. What's more, is it was the first season to be headed by Chris Chibnall as head writer and executive producer, alongside executive producers, Matt Stevens and Sam Hoyle, following the departures of Steven Moffat and Brian Minchin. While it was enjoyable enough, it appears that Metacritic users don't consider it up to scratch.
Despite pitting the Doctor up against formidable foes, such as the Pting, the Morax and Kerblam Man, things fell rather flat. Audiences, overall, didn't take to the franchise's new direction, something that's also evident in the rating handed out to season 12.
Season 12: 2.8
With Whittaker having a whole series under her belt, hopes were high that season 12 would be able to live up to expectations. The BBC decided to bring popular old villains back into the fray, with Daleks, The Master, the Judoon and Nanogenes all returning in a bid to boost ratings. Yet while it was hopeful in its nostalgia, its lowly rating suggests that fans weren't impressed.
There are now rumors Whittaker could quit her role as the Doctor and that would be a shame. The series has lasted so long because it's popular, so she deserves one final series to try and win people over. Whether that happens, however, is something on which only time will tell.
Season 10: 7
Season 10 was the final one starring Capaldi as the Doctor, with the Scot deciding to pursue other projects in the aftermath. Matt Lucas reprised his role as Nardole, having been introduced the previous year, while Pearl Mackie was introduced as the new character, Bill. The series received positive reviews from critics and, while a score of 7 out of 10 is nothing to be sniffed at, it's still one of the worst-rated seasons, overall.
Capaldi gives it his all, commendably so, while Lucas and Mackie both impress in their respective roles. It won the Ally Award for its LGBTQ+ inclusiveness, while Capaldi won Best Television Actor at the Sunday Herald Culture Awards. The finale, "Twice Upon A Time," was watched by 5.66 million people at the time of its release.
Season 8: 7.1
Season 8 was the first to have Capaldi step into the Tardis, joined by Jenna Coleman - who had been introduced the previous year. Things got off to a brilliant start, with the series premiere being watched by 9.17 million viewers - more than any episode since Matt Smith's first-ever. It actually became the highest-rated series ever in the U.S., with an impressive average audience of 2.04 million viewers.
Missy was the big villain of that year, presenting the Time Lords with all sorts of problems. Thankfully, our hero reigns supreme in the finale, but it's a rather sad affair, with characters Danny, Zygon Osgood and Seb all perishing in "Dark Water/Death in Heaven." It's also the first time we get to see Santa Claus in the series. Naturally, Capaldi's character knows him - as one would expect.
Season 9: 7.9
Season 9 sees Capaldi return for his second stint as the Time Lord, with the actor appearing in all 12 episodes. Coleman comes back as Clara Oswald, but this is the last we see of her, with the character sadly dying. It's a darker affair than usual but was well-received among critics. With users, however, it still appears as though they weren't overly impressed.
This is a shame because, with the strong writing of Moffat, the season arguably scales new heights from a narrative perspective. The Christmas special for this year, entitled "The Husbands of River Song," was watched by an impressive 5.8 million people live at the time of its release. This was more than British soaps, Eastenders and Coronation Street, two series that normally dominate the ratings over the festive period.
Season 7: 8
Starting to get into the higher ratings, and coming in at seventh on the list, is the seventh series itself. Things get off to a thrilling start, with the Doctor, Amy Pond and Rory Williams all having to face off against the Daleks. It sets things in motion for Amy and Rory's eventual goodbye, with the pair sadly being sent back in time by the Weeping Angels in the episode "The Angels Take Manhattan."
Clara makes her bow afterward and the whole series is enjoyable from start to finish, despite the emotional moments that take place. Smith is on form in his final season before passing things over to Capaldi, with the actor oozing his usual charm and charisma.
Season 6: 8.2
Season 6 was shown in two parts, something that divided opinions. Some were happy the story would be dragged out, while others would have preferred for the BBC to get things over and done with in one go. The first seven episodes released between April and June 2011, beginning with "The Impossible Astronaut," before the rest were aired between August and October.
There were many highlights, from the pilot to the finale "The Wedding of River Song," with Moffat's ambitious style of writing really shining through. It's no surprise this ranks relatively high on the list, given the variation in episodes, while Amy, Rory and River Song herself all impress. It won Best Family Drama at the TV Choice Awards that year, fending off competition from Glee, Merlin and Waterloo Road.
Season 2: 8.3
Eccleston lasted just one year as the Doctor before choosing to walk away, giving Tennant the chance to step in. The Harry Potter actor does a stellar job, too, with his charisma, cool dress sense and clear levels of enjoyment all making the second season one of the best of the entire lot.
The whole series sets up Rose's emotional exit, with the youngster forced to say goodbye to her beloved Doctor, while it's brilliant seeing Daleks, Cybermen and other dastardly villains appear. It's truly gut-wrenching seeing Piper and Tennant say their farewells with the finale, entitled "Doomsday," living up to its name. Pass the tissues ...
Season 5: 8.4
It was always going to be tough for Smith to successfully fill the void left behind by Tennant's departure. But the 38-year-old fared well in his debut season, with the series scoring an impressive 8.6 out of 10 from users on Metacritic's website.
Amy Pond is arguably the best companion for the Doctor since Rose Tyler and, together, both Smith and Karen Gillan ensured the show went on. It was Moffat's first crack at writing an entire series, replacing Russell T. Davies as the brains behind the operation, and it's 13 episodes were all well-received.
Season 1: 8.5
Onto the podium positions now, and taking third spot, is season one. It was a gamble for the BBC to revive the series, having seen an attempt to reboot things back in 1996 fall flat. But with Eccleston and Piper signing on as the Doctor and Rose, and Noel Clarke and Camille Coduri being introduced as Mickey Smith and Jackie Tyler, things got off to an extremely positive start.
An average of 10.81 million viewers tuned in to watch it live - and the finale, entitled "Rose," was particularly memorable with Billie Piper's character playing a vital role in the downfall of the Daleks, who are up to their usual tricks. Fans' only complaint was that Eccleston walked away afterward, with the MCU actor giving the Doctor a unique take never seen before.
Season 3: 8.6
Taking the silver medal is the third season of the sci-fi show. With Rose out of the picture, the Doctor doesn't waste much time in getting a new companion in the form of Martha Jones. She helps our hero bounce back to sensational effect, while it's also enjoyable seeing John Barrowman return as Captain Jack Harkness, who had previously been introduced back in season one.
The final two episodes are the crowning moments, however, with John Simm sensational as The Master. He's presumed dead at the end of the series after being shot by his girlfriend, Lucy, but more on that next ...
Season 4: 9
Scooping the gold medal is season four, Tennant's final bow as the Doctor. What's particularly impressive about this series is its foreshadowing of the twist that Donna Noble is the key to saving the entire universe. The decision to cast Catherine Tate on a permanent basis, having appeared in the 2006 Christmas Special, raised eyebrows. But any concerns about the comedian's involvement disappeared nearly straight away.
One has to mention the finale, of course. Rose, Mickey, Sarah Jane, Martha, Captain Jack and other figures of the Doctor's past all return to help stop the Daleks in "Journey's End," before Tennant's character has to use every piece of skill in his arsenal to stop the newly-alive Master. It's a crowning moment for the series - and Metacritic users agree.