and reminisce about their respective times on the show and what it’s meant to them over the years.
“When you realize it’s your turn [to play The Doctor], you do know what that means in terms of a loss of anonymity and the fact that the first line of your obituary has almost certainly been written,” says Tennant, who played the Tenth Doctor for three seasons. “But it’s a huge privilege — and also feels very precious, because people love it so much and carry it with them throughout their lives. To be the custodian of that, you just don’t want to break it.
All three Doctors bonded over the role following them throughout their own lives, too. Smith, the youngest actor to play the Doctor, admitted to being followed by his onetime catchphrase of, “Geronimo!” Whittaker, whose historic casting as the show’s current Thirteenth Doctor gained both fervent praise and controversy, is constantly moved by those who tell her they’re inspired by seeing a woman Doctor.