Exploring the Oldest Characters in Doctor Who

Doctor Who, with its rich and complex history, features countless characters that are part of a vast and intricate narrative. Among these is a group of characters that defy the limits of time and age. This article delves into the Oldest Doctor Who Characters, presenting an extensive list that includes immortal beings, ancient entities, and timeless entities residing in the series.

Timeless Creatures and Characters

Dr. Who's universe is home to characters that have lived beyond the constraints of time, making them the oldest and most enduring inhabitants of the series. These characters often play pivotal roles in the overarching narrative, serving as bridges to other epochs and dimensions.

The Doctor

At the heart of the series is the titular character, the Doctor. As a Time Lord, he has the ability to regenerate, allowing him to continue his adventures for centuries. Different incarnations of the Doctor have been shown to be hundreds or even over a thousand years old. This enduring legacy is a defining aspect of the character, making him one of the most significant and longest-lived beings in the series.

The Master

Another key Time Lord character is the Master, who is the Doctor's arch-nemesis and shares a similar lifespan. The Master also possesses the ability to regenerate, and his lengths of existence can span multiple centuries, making him a formidable and enduring adversary throughout the series.

The Time Lords

Time Lords, such as Rassilon and Omega, form the core society of Gallifrey. Members of this society can live for thousands of years, making them some of the oldest characters in the series. These beings are not just participants in the events of Doctor Who but also its creators, holding immense power and wisdom.

The Eternals

In the classic series, the Eternals are introduced as beings who exist outside the normal flow of time and can live indefinitely. This immortality grants them a unique perspective on the universe, and their presence in Doctor Who adds a layer of mystery to the series, often overshadowing their roles as minor characters.

The Great Intelligence

The Great Intelligence is a character that has existed in various forms, including a disembodied entity that can manipulate events across time. This ancient evil is not only long-lived but also malevolent, and its presence adds to the complexity and danger in the series.

The Fendahl

The Fendahl is an ancient creature that existed long before humanity. This entity is a representation of an ancient evil, and it often plays a destructive role in the series, representing the timeless struggle between good and evil.

The Daleks and Cybermen

While the Daleks and Cybermen are formidable and long-lived enemies, they are not always defined by their age. Nevertheless, their long presence in the series ensures that they are significant characters, known for their constant pursuit of domination.

The Weeping Angels

The Weeping Angels can exist outside of time, making them effectively ancient beings as they can send their victims back in time and feed off the time energy. These characters are unique in their ability to manipulate the fabric of time, making them significant in their own right.

Ancient Beings and Individuals

Various other entities are also deathless or very long-lived. While not always explicitly related to the main narrative, these beings add to the grand history of the series.

The Silurians and Sea Devils: These ancient beings are kept suspended from the time they ruled to the present day. The Silurians and Sea Devils have been part of the Earth's history for millions of years and resurface in various episodes, contributing to the longevity of the series.

Other Entities: Elemental beings, Elder Gods, Guardians of Time, Eternals, Toymakers, Chronovores, and The Beast (Satan) are deathless or very long-lived entities. While not always characters in the strictest sense, their immortality adds a layer of intrigue and mystery to the series.

Immortal Individuals: The immortal Ashildr, who being made immortal by the Doctor, and Captain Jack Harkness, known as the Face of Boe, who lived until the year 500,000,023, contribute to the rich tapestry of characters in Doctor Who. Additionally, individuals like Eldrad, who lived in the form of a fossilized hand for 150 million years, and "Eustace," a 12 million-year-old alien from the Fendahl race, add further depth to the series' lore.

These characters, whether as main characters or supporting roles, serve to enrich the time-spirited narrative of Doctor Who, setting it apart as a series that explores not just space but also time and the beings that traverse it.

Credit: All references and characters mentioned are sourced from various episodes and storylines of the Doctor Who series, produced by the BBC and other key networks.