While the latter seasons of the show left little to be desired, the Nu-Who era ofDoctor Whohas become a staple of modern-day television. Following theshow’s revivalin 2005, audiences have been treated to 13 thrilling seasons, five outstanding portrayals of the Doctor, and countlessterrifying bad guysin the show’s many captivating sci-fi horror stories. For the last 18 or so years, we’ve seen some of the most poignant, terrifying, emotional, and whimsical seasons ofDoctor Who, which we are set to say an emotional goodbye to at the end of this year.
With Jodie Whitaker’s departure from the role, Ncuti Gatwa’s debut as the 14th Doctor, and returning showrunner Russell T. Davies are set to usher in a new era ofDoctor Whowith this year’s Christmas special, following the much-anticipated 60th-anniversary specials starring David Tennant and Catherine Tate. So, with 2023 waving goodbye to nearly 20 years worth ofDoctor Who,what better time is there to look back and praise the past era’s best seasons? Here are the best Nu-Who era seasons ofDoctor Who.
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10Season 13 - The Flux
Unlike previous seasons ofDoctor Who,season 13 opted to tell an overarching story over the season’s short, six-episode run, which was then followed by three specials, concluding Jodie Whitaker’s run as the 13th Doctor. Season 13’s story follows the Doctor and her companions as they navigate through a universe-ending anomaly, while dealing with terrifying enemies and secrets from the Doctor’s past. The formula is the same, but it offers an overarching story that presents an interesting premise.
Why Season 13 Makes the List
Season 13 is far from being the best season. It’s once again plagued by convoluted writing, rushed storytelling, and an overabundance of characters. However, it is without a doubt the13th Doctor’s best season. That is, if we include the three specials. Jodie Whitaker truly came into her own as the 13th Doctor, and the relationship between the Doctor and Yaz presented some interesting dynamics. Season 13 is a fine series, but it’s single-handedly the special, “The Power of the Doctor”, that cements this series on the list. “The Power of the Doctor” is an unforgettable special full of numerous Doctors and old companions, offering a phenomenal and emotional goodbye to Jodie Whitaker’s 13th Doctor.
Regenerating into an older Scotsman, the 12th Doctor battles Daleks, Cybermen, Robin Hood, giant dinosaurs, and an old friend in Peter Capaldi’s debut season. Originally, Peter Capaldi was faced with a lot of criticism when taking on the role; however, he quickly proved those naysayers wrong with his far darker take on the otherwise bubbly Time Lord.
Why Season 8 Makes the List
Season eight certainly isn’t the best season of the 12th Doctor’s run. It doesn’t really sport many memorable episodes, other than a fantastic Christmas special, nor does it offer up any stakes. Until the final two episodes, that is. It does present the Doctor with some of his biggest challenges and sacrifices yet, complimenting Capaldi’s uniquely darker take. Sadly, however, season eight has since been forgotten by fans. But that’s not to say that it didn’t have its highs.
Offering a new direction forDoctor Whogoing forward, season six took audiences on a walk down the scary side. Shrouded in an unnerving atmosphere, season six introduced fans to some terrifying monsters in some of the show’s scariest episodes yet.
Why Season 6 Makes the List
Episodes like “Night Terrors” and “The God Complex” are utterly terrifying, proving thatDoctor Whoisn’t for kids. But other than its haunting atmosphere, and truly horrifying monsters, season six falls into many of the similar criticisms that have plagued previous seasons on this list. Much of the writing gets a little convoluted, particularly towards the end of the season, and there are plenty of substantial and forgettable episodes scattered throughout Matt Smith’s second season as the Doctor.
Related:Doctor Who: The 11th Doctor’s Best Episodes, Ranked
7Season 10
The season primarily focused on the Doctor and Nardole protecting a vault, with one of the Doctor’s greatest enemies inside. The Doctor, joined by Bill Potts, an intelligent, confident, and charismatic lunch lady, both fly across the universe fighting monsters and saving the world.
Why Season 10 Makes the List
While season 10 was predominantly another forgettable season, it did have some tremendous highs. Bill Potts was an underrated companion, who constantly questioned the Doctor’s sacrifices and choices, enhancing his humanity, and the overarching story of the Doctor and Missy was fascinating. Top that with an outstanding two-part finale, which saw the return of John Simm as The Master,and delivered one of the most emotional and shocking moments inDoctor Whohistory, and you have a fantastic season. Let’s not forget another excellent Christmas special, which offered an emotional and epic goodbye to Peter Capaldi’s 12th Doctor. However, between all the highs were forgettable monsters and uninspired stories.
In the first season of the Nu-Who era ofDoctor Who, showrunner Russell T Davies brought the showinto the 21st century, delivering darker and much more impactful stories that delved deep into the Doctor’s complexity.
Why Season 1 Makes the List
Christopher Eccleston’s only season as the Ninth Doctor was way ahead of its time, and is now a season that unfortunately gets greatly overlooked by fans. But why? While season one certainly isn’t the best season by far, it’s still one that deserves much more credit. Eccleston was a fantastic Doctor, seamlessly slipping between goofy and raging with the snap of his fingers. Episodes like “The Empty Child”, “Rose”, and “Father’s Day” are all exceptional episodes with iconic villains, but it’s episodes like “The Long Game” and “Bad Wolf”, that drag this otherwise brilliant season down.
Continuing on from the events of season eight, the series' main focus is on the mystery behind The Hybrid, a deadly combination of two great warrior races. The Doctor’s investigation into The Hybrid, ultimately leads him back to his home planet of Gallifrey.
Why Season 9 Makes the List
Season nine is a spectacular season, with consistently great episodes. Capaldi truly comes into his own as the 12th Doctor, delivering many thought-provoking lines and exceptional speeches, as well as effortlessly delving into his comic side, an aspect underutilized in seasons eight and 10. By focusing on the Doctor’s past, season nine offers an emotional, epic, and engaging look at the Doctor as a character, something the show rarely delivers. While not all the episodes are flawless, season nine did treat us to greats, like “Hell Bent”, “Heaven Sent”, and “The Zygon Inversion”, three of the12th Doctor’s best storylines.
After the emotional loss of his beloved companion, Rose Tyler, the 10th Doctor unites with Martha Jones to fight witches, Daleks, Weeping Angels, and… gridlock? David Tennant’s second season was another thrilling adventure, full of terrifying monsters and unforgettable storylines.
Why Season 3 Makes the List
Season three does start a little slow, with the first few episodes being a little underwhelming, especially after the brilliance of season two. However, it wasn’t long before the season started to pick up, delivering two of the best episodes inDoctor Whohistory, with “Blink”, and “Family of Blood”. Martha Jones wasa great companion. She showed determination and resourcefulness, allowing for many great character moments.
David Tennant’s final turn as the legendary Time Lord was both emotional and incredibly entertaining. The 10th Doctor’s arc comes full circle in season four, pitting him against some of his deadliest foes yet, and reuniting him with some of his most cherished companions.
Why Season 4 Makes the List
What’s not to love about season four? David Tennant and Catherine Tate share some of the most infectious chemistry seen inDoctor Who, and season four boasts some of the best episodes in David Tennant’s run as the Doctor, with the likes of “Midnight”, “Silence in the Library”, and “The Waters of Mars” being among the best. The season offers an emotional retrospective on Tennant’s time as the Doctor, as well as introducing many important characters that will help shape the future of the show going forward.
Related:Doctor Who: The 10th Doctor’s Best Episodes, Ranked
After the departure of both David Tennant and Russell T Davies as the lead showrunner, fans were skeptical about the future ofDoctor Who. However, Steven Moffat, the new showrunner, and the 11th Doctor himself, Matt Smith, proved everyone wrong with a season that forces the Doctor to battle Weeping Angels, Daleks, Cybermen, vampires, and a dream lord.
Why Season 5 Makes the List?
Few expected Matt Smith’s first season to be as good as it was. But with exceptional performances, captivating stories, and engaging writing, season five is one of the best seasons ofDoctor Who. Amy Pond is a fascinating new companion, and Matt Smith proved himself as a worthy Doctor with his goofy, but lovable performance. The overarching story of the numerous cracks across the universe had a great and unexpected payoff, and episodes like “The Big Bang” “The Eleventh Hour”, and “Vincent and the Doctor” are some of the 11th Doctor’s best episodes.
As David Tennant’s first full season as the 10th Doctor, season two follows the Doctor and his companion, Rose, as they uncover a new timeline titled Parallel Earth. However, the longer they stay could inevitably cause the destruction of both timelines as we know them.
Why Season 2 is the Best Season
Season two is an outstanding gender-blending season ofDoctor Who.Russell T Davies masterfully delivers episodes that tackle gothic horror, the multiverse, romance, and cosmic horror, in this collection of exceptionalepisodes. It’s a season full of thrills and emotion, which will have audiences tearing up no matter how many times they watch the final scene of the series. Tennant instantly proves he was born to play the role, with his giddy, fast-talking, and engaging performance, which is still to this day, one of the best takes on the Doctor. While episodes like “Love and Monsters” sadly plagued this series as one of the worst episodes ofDoctor Whoever, it’s still not enough for us to not consider season two as the best.
