The original British TV program ran from 1963 to 1989 or a period of 26 years before it finally signed off the air. There was an attempt to revive the show in 1996 but it was unsuccessful then.
It was finally re-launched in 2005 with Russell Davies as the showrunner and head writer for the series’ first five years.
The first series in the 21st century starring Christopher Eccleston in the lead role was produced by BBC. The Canadian Broadcasting Corporation also helped out by contributing to the development money for Series two and three of “Doctor Who.”
Since its first-time airing in 1963, there have been 12 different actors who assumed the title role of the Doctor in the TV series.
The transition from one actor to another and the varied approach to the role that they bring is written into the plot of the show as regeneration into a new incarnation. It is a life process of the Time Lords through which the character of the Doctor takes on a new body and also a new personality, which normally happens after sustaining injury which is often fatal to most other species.
Although each actor’s portrayal of the Doctor differs, they are all intended to be aspects of the same character and form part of the “Doctor Who” storyline.