New Who Companions Ranked

All the characters ranked have travelled in the Tardis (apart from one execption) and appeared in at least two episodes of New Who therefore characters like Jenny will not count. Now, on with the list. Also this is a warning for spoilers.

19. Jackie Tyler—Eccleston/Tennant Era

Just so damn annoying.

Highlighted Episode: 'Army Of Ghosts'

18. Danny Pink—Capaldi Era

Danny Pink was introduced as Clara's boyfriend and whilst he was a likable enough character he just wasn't fleshed out enough to be any higher on this list. He clashed initially with the Doctor and Clara because of his military background but proved himself trustworthy. I wasn't really prepared for his death and his storylined was wrapped up rather nicely however I just didn't find him that interesting.

Episode Highlight: "Dark Water"

17. Nardole—Capaldi Era

The thing about Nardole is that he was just fine. There's no better word to describe him as a companion. He wasn't particularly memorable, except a few sassy lines here and there, and often paled in comparisson to Bill Potts and that's why he's so high up on this list.

Highlighted Episode: "The Husbands of River Song"

16. Mickey Smith—Eccleston/Tennant Era

When we were first introduced to Mickey Smith he was just Rose's sad, cowardly boyfriend. However, Mickey went on quite the character development journey and turned into one of the Doctor's most trusted friends at the time. He recognised that Rose wasn't his to keep and worked on becoming a braver person which made for a really good watch. The only reason he's not lower on this list is because Mickey at the very start was really annoying.

Highlighted Episode: "The Age of Steel"

15. Wilfred Mott—Tennant Era

Wilfred was Donna's grandad and his first appearance was a small role in a Christmas special. He was often the voice of reason for the Doctor during some rather dark times and could have been seen as a father figure at certain points. Wilfred was a pure soul who really wanted to help people, but sometimes he hindered the Doctor more than helped.

Highlighted Episode: "The End of Time"

14. Craig Owens—Smith Era

The only person on this list never to step foot in the actual Tardis, Craig was a really nice guy who didn't like to rock the boat, he was comfortable in his life until the Doctor showed up. Whilst helpful and funny at times I found his character to be a little annoying which is why he's higher up on the list. Corden's chemistry with Matt Smith however was on point.

Highlighted Episode: "Closing Time"

13. Sarah Jane Smith—Tennant Era

The only reason that Sarah Jane Smith is so high up on this list is because she deserved more screen time. Her storyline of coming to terms with being older and feeling abandoned by the Doctor was incredible. Her competitive nature and developing friendship with Rose was fun too but i wanted more.

Highlighted Episode: "School Reunion"

12. Ryan Sinclair—Whittaker Era

I like Ryan, he's one of the most relatable characters of this Doctor Who era with his dyspraxia and tendency to make jokes. He's brave and kind and doesn't have time for gender norms, all of which I can appreciate. His relationship with Graham is a really nice development over the series but I feel that with three companions Ryan often gets lost in the background. Nothing that a little more screen time and focus on his character can't fix.

Highlighted Episode: "Resolution"

11. Clara Oswald—Smith/Capaldi Era

Clara was such a big part of a couple of seasons that it might surprise people that she's so high up on the list. The thing about Clara, as brilliant and sassy as she was, she took a while to come into her own. For some reason I just took a long time to really enjoy Clara's character. I stopped watching through her era, maybe becuase I had been so attached to Amy and Rory but when I rewatched I found myself really liking her character.

Highlighted Episode: "Face the Raven"

10. Captain Jack Harkness—Eccelston/Tennant Era

Who doesn't love a flirty American? Our introduction to Jack is like no other, I mean 'excellent bottom' is a great opening line. Captain Jack might be a captain but he knows how to take a backseat to the Doctor, he constantly protecting the Doctor and Rose even sacraficing himself to save them at one point. Also he's the face of Boa. An icon.

Highlighted Episode: "End of Days"

9. Graham O'Brian—Whittaker Era

Graham brings sandwiches on adventures. That's enough said.

Highlighted Episode: "It Takes You Away"

8. Rory Williams—Smith Era

Rory Williams was the perfect guy. He was protective but knew when to step back. He was kind but could definitely be deadly when he wanted to. He waited thousands of years for Amy, making sure she was safe, that is the perfect guy. Whilst his storyline got a little convoluted at times, Arthur Darvill's natural geeky charm meant you couldn't help but love and root for Rory.

Highlighted Episode: "The Angels Take Manhattan"

7. Bill Potts—Capaldi Era

In this post, we stan Bill Potts for so many reasons. One of the few openly LGBTQ+ companions that we've gotten out of Doctor Who but my main reason for loving Bill was because she asked really good questions. Bill only lasted one season, which is a shame, but she really made an impact and that gives her a pretty good spot on this list.

Highlighted Episode: "Extremis"

6. Yasmin Khan—Whittaker Era

Oh how I've missed space buns. Yaz is a bisexual queen, try to convince me otherwise, who is the only one in the Tardis at the moment that's on the Doctor's level. Yaz is a young police officer who just wants to make the world a better place and have some crazy adventures. Her family are hilarious, her loyalty to the Doctor is commendable and she's easily one of the smartest companions the Doctor's ever had in the Tardis. I'm really looking forward to seeing more of Yaz, and I want them to bring back Yaz's mum!

Highlighted Episode: "Demons of the Punjab"

5. Amy Pond—Smith Era

Amy Pond gets extra points just for being Scottish, and whilst she's built on a lot of stereotypes her character is one of the highlights of the Smith Era. Amy, much like Rory, is a character that we really get to see grow. We first meet her as a little girl before the Doctor returns for her when she's older. Over the course of the show she really proves her bravery and loyalty and shines in her role as a mother. Seeing Karen Gillan come back to see Matt Smith off was a really great send off especially since they had great on screen chemistry and this character allowed Gillan to move on to amazing roles.

Highlighted Episode: "The Time of the Angels"

4. River Song—Tennant/Smith/Capaldi Era

A personal favourite of mine even just for Alex Kingston, River Song has recieved some criticism over the years mostly surrounding her timeline. It's super complicated, it get that, but River Song is a brilliant character and Kingston and Smith have chemistry off the charts that really helps sell this pairing. River is flirty, fun, highly intelligent and a really interesting character even if her storyline is a bit all over the place. Absolutely perfectly cast, I will never not love Alex Kingston as River Song.

Highlighted Episode: "Let's Kill Hitler"

3. Martha Jones—Tennant Era

I will fight anyone who claims Martha Jones was anything less than exceptional. The woman was a doctor and she saved the damn world. Yes, maybe she did pine over the doctor but she knew her worth and she knew when she needed to walk away because she wasn't being appreciated. Martha Jones was treated like crap several times either because she was a woman or because she was black and she took it all in her stride. I love Martha Jones and ask that everyone else back the hell off.

Highlighted Episode: "The Last of the Time Lords"

2. Rose Tyler—Eccleston/Tennant Era

Rose Tyler was our introduction to New Who and I didn't appreciate her enough when the show first returned. Now I know that Rose is a badass who crossed universes just to be with the Doctor. Rose was always strong, always ready to offer help and overall just a really incredible role model for young women. Like Martha she knew her worth and went after exactly what she wanted. Her relationship with the Doctor was unique and well thought out but didn't detract from her own character which I appreciate. Rose Tyler will always be the OG, respect her.

Highlighted Episode: "Doomsday"

1. Donna Noble—Tennant Era

'I'm nothing special' and 'I'm just a temp from Chiswick' were often the lines that Donna told the Doctor over and over again, and herself. Donna, at the beginning, is all confident brovado covering for the fact that she's insecure about her place in the world. That doesn't mean that she isn't brave as she goes looking for the Doctor or caring as she mourns the lives she can't save. Over her time with the Doctor Donna begins to realise her own self worth and demands respect. Donna is also one of the few older companions we get to see. Out of all the companions I feel that Donna's ending is the saddest because she did all this growth and really found herself only to have it erased. But for a moment, she was the most important person in the universe.

Highlighted Episode: "The Fires of Pompeii"