With all of time and space at its disposal, Doctor Who has run into more than one famous face. Whether they’re fictional heroes of the future or icons of the past, The Doctor has made more famous friends than one could imagine.
The current era, led by Chris Chibnall, has arguably found its stride in historical episodes in particular. “Demons of the Punjab”, “Rosa,” and “The Haunting of Villa Diodati” have all been some of the best episodes of Jodie Whittaker’s run. Keeping with the trend, here are some more famous faces that she, or future Doctors, should meet.
Leonardo da Vinci
Every version of The Doctor, but Jodie Whittaker especially, have all been known for their deep love of science and discovery. The Thirteenth Doctor nerds out beyond belief every time she runs into an iconic inventor of the past.
Imagine meeting the granddaddy of them all in Leonardo da Vinci. Da Vinci was known for his amazing ideas and art, as well as revolutionary designs for technology that wouldn’t be seen for hundreds of years. Perhaps he received a bit of help and inspiration from The Doctor?
Amelia Earhart
The Thirteenth Doctor has joined the ranks of amazing female heroes for young viewers. One of the benefits of this character and her stories has been the highlighting of female innovators throughout history.
Who could be a better fit than Amelia Earhart? This groundbreaking pilot broke through far beyond the glass ceiling to claim the skies. A story that revolves around her mysterious disappearance could lead the famous pilot and Time Lord on a mission together.
Archduke Franz Ferdinand
The Doctor often goes on about fixed points in time, moments that cannot be altered, that change the course of history itself; episodes that center around these moments offer a ton of excitement and tension for viewers at home.
What if The Doctor and her companions were confronted with the assassination of Archduke Ferdinand, the moment that essentially kicked off World War I? It could offer a tone of moral quandaries for The Doctor as well as a great historical background.
Isaac Newton
Like Leonardo da Vinci, Isaac Newton is one of the most influential figures in the history of scientific discovery. His work in the scientific world resulted in one of the most foundational texts, with his publication, Mathematical Principles of Natural Philosophy, where he laid down his theories of laws of motion.
The Doctor has mentioned both Newton and da Vinci multiple times in passing before, so it would only make sense for them to meet at some point. Newton left perhaps the biggest impact on British scientific history, so he should naturally be paired with another British icon.
J. R. R. Tolkien
The impact that Tolkien had on fantasy fiction can’t be understated. The man was one of the greatest minds of British literature, and his impact can still be felt today. A Tolkien-themed Doctor Who episode seems like a no-brainer.
Perhaps this could finally be Peter Jackson’s chance to direct an episode. Throw Tolkien and The Doctor in an adventure, and it would be beyond magical. Perhaps a dragon is attacking Oxford; who better to get help for that than a Time Lord and a dragon expert?
Charlie Chaplin
Doctor Who has yet to explore the glory days of Old Hollywood, and who better to pair them with than an icon like Charlie Chaplin? The comedian could give The Doctor and companions a real run for their money.
This choice could also center around a popular urban legend surrounding one of the actor’s films. In the background of The Circus, a person walks by using what appears to be a cell phone to make a call. That’s is a story right there for The Doctor to solve.
Harriet Chalmers Adams
The past couple of seasons of Doctor Who have done a great job at highlighting lesser-known historical moments and figures. To keep with that new tradition, a story featuring Harriet Chalmers Adams would fit right in.
Adams was an American explorer and photographer who explored the world over. Her coverage of WWI was also a powerful moment, standing as the only woman allowed in the trenches during the time. A multifaceted female figure like this deserves more recognition.
George Orwell
George Orwell is one of the most revered British writers of all time. His output of dystopian fiction is the definitive example of the genre, serving as a template for a many other works. A story focused on him as well as the genre would be perfect for this era of Doctor Who.
Chibnall and team have shown that they are not afraid to tackle current events and political topics. Fascism is obviously a major discussion point in today’s world. Some sort of themed episode around either 1984 or Animal Farm could be a perfect way to discuss the issue and honor this great British writer.
Boudica
You might not recognize the name, but her statue stands proud in the middle of Westminster in London. Boudica was a queen of the Celtic Iceni tribe of Britain during AD 60-61. This British hero of Roman times fought against Roman occupation.
While The Doctor could appreciate a proud female leader, she might have a problem with Boudica’s violent tendencies. This difference in philosophy could be turned into a fascinating story point. Plus, more Roman-based episodes would be fun after the “Pandorica” arch and “The Eaters of Light.”
Jane Austen
This season fans saw The Doctor meet the author of Frankenstein herself, Mary Shelley. This isn’t the first time she has run into famous female authors, meeting Agatha Christie in Series 4. But it only feels right to pair The Doctor with arguably the most iconic female British writer of all time: Jane Austen.
Austen has written some of the most beloved novels in the English language, from Pride and Prejudice to Emma. It is honestly shocking that out of everyone on this list, The Doctor hasn’t meet Jane Austen. Certainly, she will probably be the first to appear next.
