Jon Pertwee (1970-74)

Season Seven (1970)

Spearhead from Space
Doctor Who and the Silurians
The Ambassadors of Death
Inferno

Season Eight (1971)

Terror of the Autons
The Mind of Evil
The Claws of Axos
Colony In Space
The Daemons

Season Nine (1972)

Day of the Daleks
The Curse of Peladon
The Sea Devils
The Mutants
The Time Monster

Season Ten (1972-73)

The Three Doctors
Carnival of Monsters
Frontier In Space
Planet of the Daleks
The Green Death

Season Eleven (1973-74)

The Time Warrior
Invasion of the Dinosaurs
Death to the Daleks
The Monster of Peladon
Planet of the Spiders

The Jon Pertwee era of Doctor Who (1970–1974) was a game-changer for the series. As the Third Doctor, Pertwee brought a suave, action-packed energy to the role, making him one of the most distinctive incarnations of the character. Stranded on Earth by the Time Lords, this Doctor became UNIT’s scientific advisor, working alongside Brigadier Lethbridge-Stewart and his team to protect the planet from extraterrestrial threats. This shift in setting gave the show a fresh, almost spy-thriller feel, blending sci-fi with action and adventure.

One of the biggest changes during this era was the increased emphasis on action. The Third Doctor wasn’t just a thinker—he could throw a punch (or more accurately, use Venusian Aikido). Pertwee’s version of the Doctor embraced hand-to-hand combat, car chases, and gadgetry, from his beloved yellow roadster, Bessie, to the futuristic Whomobile. His performance brought a sense of charm and physicality that set him apart from his predecessors.

The supporting cast also became a bigger part of the show’s identity. The Doctor’s partnership with UNIT gave the series a sense of continuity, with familiar faces like the no-nonsense Brigadier and the eager but capable Jo Grant, played by Katy Manning. Jo’s dynamic with the Doctor was warm and playful, making her one of the most beloved companions of the classic era.

No era of Doctor Who is complete without its villains, and the Pertwee years delivered in spades. Alongside returning threats like the Daleks, this period introduced one of the Doctor’s greatest enemies: the Master. Played with effortless charm and menace by Roger Delgado, the Master became the Doctor’s intellectual equal and ultimate rival, their battles adding an extra layer of tension and fun to the show.

With the Doctor stuck on Earth for much of Pertwee’s run, the stories took on a more grounded, contemporary feel, often touching on themes of politics, environmentalism, and science gone wrong. This mix of real-world issues with sci-fi spectacle made for a compelling and unique take on the show’s formula.

In the end, the Pertwee era redefined Doctor Who by blending action, adventure, and a more structured supporting cast, all anchored by Pertwee’s charismatic performance. His time as the Doctor left a lasting mark, and many of the elements introduced during his run—UNIT, the Master, and the show’s more action-driven storytelling—are still key parts of the series today.