Summary
While the titular Time Lord is undoubtedly the show’s biggest draw,Doctor Whojust wouldn’t be the same without its excellent cast of companions. These unsung heroes aren’t just there to keep the Doctor company, but also to help keep the eponymous Gallifreyan grounded as theytravel together through time and space.
There have been more than fifty companions over the years, although some have stuck around a lot longer than others. A few of them have even served aslove interests, but most have shared a strictly platonic relationship with the Doctor. Though they all must leave the show eventually, some have left a lasting impression on viewers in their wake.
Updated July 14, 2025, by Tom Bowen:With more than 50 to choose from, trying to decide who is the best Doctor Who companion of all time is an incredibly difficult task. For one thing, they each have their own strengths and weaknesses, but their effectiveness as a companion can, and perhaps should also be assessed by how well they complement their respective Doctors. With this in mind, singling out the best Doctor Who companions becomes even more of a challenge. The 60th-anniversary specials saw several former companions return to the spotlight, but it was Catherine Tate as Donna Noble who ended up shining the brightest. Donna’s always been popular with fans of the series, but seems to have matured significantly during her time away from the show, much to the delight of many viewers.
18Nardole
Portrayed by Matt Lucas
Given how stern and serious Peter Capaldi’s Doctor could be at times, it’s no wonder the show’s writers felt the need to bring in a bit of comic relief. This came in the form of Nardole, who served as the only non-human companion of the newWhoera and the first in more than three decades. Given his background and fantastic sense of humor, Matt Lucas was arguably the perfect man for the job.
However, theLittle Britaincreator brought more to the role than just cheap laughs, with Nardole also responsible for his fair share of serious moments. The fact that he spent most of his time on Earth rather than traveling with the Doctor actually worked in his favor, as although it would’ve been nice to have seen a bit more of Nardole here and there, his limited screen time prevented his shtick from ever becoming stale.
17Yasmin Khan
Portrayed by Mandip Gill
Yaz was perhaps a little overshadowed by Ryan and Graham during her first few seasons on the show. However, as time passed, she gradually grew into her role and eventually became one of the thirteenth doctor’s closest and most likable companions. Of course, just about anyone could appear likable if placed alongside Dan, so that may not be saying all that much.
Though it took a little while for the show to formally acknowledge Yaz’s feelings for the Doctor, the “will they won’t they” style relationship between the pair was one of the very few things that the show’s writers got right during Jodie Whittaker’s tenure as the Doctor. The fantastic on-screen chemistry between Whittaker and Mandip Gill really sold the relationship and helped to cement Yaz’s status as one of the bestDoctor Whocompanions of all time.
16Jo Grant
Portrayed by Katy Manning
Starring alongside the third Doctor, Jo Grant appeared in 77 episodes of the show over a three-year period, with her departure inThe Green Deathstill one of the most emotive episodes in the entire history of the sci-fi series.
Given that she was introduced at a time when the feminist movement was at its peak, some bemoaned the character’s lack of progressiveness. Looking back now though, her determination, intelligence, and loyalty arguably made her an excellent role model, albeit a somewhat unconventional one.
15Romana
Portrayed by Mary Tamm
The idea of the Doctor being accompanied by another Time Lord is certainly an interesting one, and Romana definitely lived up to expectations. Mary Tamm did a wonderful job of bringing the character to life, and though she ended up leaving the show after just a single season, her lasting impact on the Whoniverse can still be felt today.
14Leela
Portrayed by Louise Jameson
Leela (or The Lady, as she’s sometimes referred) joined forces with the fourth Doctor during his visit to the Face of Evil and helped him to put a stop to the corrupted supercomputer, Xoanon. She starts out as fairly primitive, though spending more time with the Doctor allows audiences to see another side of the character.
That said, Leela’s use of force to get things done is something that sticks with her right to the very end; much to the dismay of the Doctor. This does make her an excellent bodyguard though, as evidenced by her time traveling with the second version of Romana a little later on.
13Bill Potts
Portrayed by Pearl Mackie
For a series that’s renowned for celebrating campiness and diversity, it’s perhaps a little surprising that Bill was the first openly gay companion to travel with the Doctor. There’s far more to the character than just her sexuality though, with her strong personality arguably being her defining feature.
Bill didn’t spend as much time with the Doctor as some of the series' other companions, but she was still able to squeeze in a few excellent adventures. The climax of the tenth series is particularly memorable, with her and Heather ultimately getting their “happily ever after” moment following several episodes of chaos and uncertainty.
12Martha Jones
Portrayed by Freema Agyeman
Martha Jones joined the show just before Rose’s departure and is with the Doctor for some of his lowest points. Her unrequited feelings for him were a bit of a distraction at times, but they did at least lead to some real personal growth. She really blossoms into her role as a companion over time, demonstrating plenty of heroic qualities along the way.
After all memory of the Doctor is erased bythe Master’s paradox machine, it is Martha, together with Jack and the rest of the resistance, who de-ages the Gallifreyan and helps to free the planet from the Master’s rule. With the earth once again safe, Martha bids farewell to her time-traveling life and settles down with Rose’s ex-boyfriend, Mickey.
11Barbara Wright & Ian Chesterton
Portrayed by Jacqueline Hill & William Russell
Barbara and Ian were the first of several companioncouplesas well as the first companions to travel with the Doctor against their will. The former teachers accidentally find themselves inside the TARDIS after following Susan home one day and soon find themselves in the year 100,000 BCE. They’re present for the introduction of the Daleks and also visit the French Revolution and the Ancient Aztecs before their eventual escape.
Due to the pair effectively being the Doctor’s prisoners, the relationship that they have with him is entirely unique when compared to other companions. They eventually come to a mutual understanding of sorts with the Doctor, although this doesn’t stop them from attempting to return to their old lives whenever an opportunity to do so presents itself.
10Wilfred Mott
Portrayed by Bernard Cribbins
Wilf was already an incredibly likable character even before his brief time traveling with the Doctor. That he then helped to save the planet and was willing to sacrifice his life in the process only helped to make him more popular with fans of the long-running sci-fi show.
Though his time beneath the main spotlight was short, his role as Donna’s grandfather and, to some extent, the Doctor’s friend, makes Wilf fairly unique. Unlike other companions, who, for the most part, come and go pretty quickly these days, he lasted three whole years, albeit in a slightly more reserved role.
9River Song
Portrayed by Alex Kingston
Whether or not River Song actually counts as aDoctor Whocompanion is perhaps a matter for debate. Assuming she does though, she has to be up there with some of the very best, having had a huge impact on both the series as a whole and its titular character. In fact, she touched the hearts of three different iterations of the Doctor before eventually giving her life to save them.
When fans think of River Song, most tend to remember a wonderfully intricate storyline that was carefully woven throughout both time and space. Her appearances were somewhat rare when compared to some of the otherDoctor Whocompanions, but when she did show up, viewers knew that they could expect a good episode.
