David Tennant (2005-2010)
The Tenth Doctor, David Tennant
David Tennant (Born David John McDonald) portrays The Tenth Doctor and served on the show for 47 episodes. His first real appearance was in 'The Christmas Invasion' in 2005, though he did have a brief appearance in The Parting of the Ways, and his last was in 'The End of Time' in 2010. Since this incarnation aired, he has been voted the best Doctor twice.
After The Doctor regenerates after swallowing the time vortex, Rose doesnt believe that it is him over the sudden change of appearnce and personality, like previous companions. After a sudden burst of hyperactivity brought on by the regeneration process, the TARDIS accelerates an crash lands at the Powell Estate, London. After this, The Doctor falls in and out of comas while his regeneration finishes, made worse by the time vortex.
To date, The Tenth Doctor has had the most companions with 11,
- Rose Tyler
- Mickey Smith
- Donna Noble
- Martha Jones
- Jack Harkness
- Astrid Peth
- Sarah Jane Smith
- Jackson Lake
- Christina de Souza
- Adelaide Brooke
- Wilfred Mott
Regular companions which showcased as regulars in the series were Rose, Matrha and Donna, each being the main companion for a series with The Tenth Doctor, though Rose had been with The Doctor beforehand. Astrid, Jackson, Christina and Adelaide were companions only for specials while Mickey, Jack, Sarah Jane and Wilfred where recurring characters, usually spanning more than one series.
The Tenth Doctor regenerates after recieving a fatal dose of radiation. Throughout the 2009 specials, a recurring theme was a prophecy told,"Your song is ending sir (Regeneration), It is returning (Gallifrey), It is returning it is returning through the dark (The Last Great Time War), oh but then... He will knock four times". Although initially believed to be the Master who will kill him, due to his association with the drumbeat consisting of the rhythm of four, it was Wilfred who knocked four times for the Doctor to get him out of the radiation control booth and as before, and as he will again, he will sacrafice his own life to save another. After recieving the fatal dose of radiation, The Doctor returns to each of his companions to deliver, what he calls, their "reward." After delivering the final reward to Rose, he returns to the TARDIS in pain, he regenerates with violent force, causing damage to the TARDIS.
Appearance
While the basis of the costume stay the same, overcoat, suit, Chuck Taylors, The Doctor has two different suits, a brown pinstripe and a blue one. He also had a tuxedo for some occasions and various Chuck Taylors. He is also, the first Doctor to change his hairstyle depending on the situation (i.e. 1950's style quiff.) In an interview on Parkinson, Tennant announced that he and Russell T. Davis came up with the costume after seeing Jamie Oliver wearing something similar when he was on Parkinson.