Breaking the fourth wall inDoctor Whoisn’t a new thing, and several characters direct their attention to audiences on multiple occasions. In fact, some ofthe greatestDoctor Whoepisodes of all timefeature a meta moment like this. It’s worth noting, however, that some of these instances aren’t on purpose. In the classic era, many of these are production errors, and in the modern era, episodes like “Sleep No More” appear to break the fourth wall, but are actually creative directional choices.
From a knowing glance to a direct message, Doctors, companions, and villains alike break the fourth wall. Even though the most recent seasons feature many of these moments,Doctor Whohas been breaking the fourth wall since the show’s early installments.
17Tlotoxl
Classic Era - “The Aztecs”
In the serial “The Aztecs,” one ofthe First Doctor’s best stories inDoctor Who, the villainTlotoxl breaks the fourth wall for the first time inDoctor Who(at least on purpose). He does this after he claims Barbara is posing as the reincarnation of the high priest Yetaxa, and attempts to poison her to prove her mortality.
However, Barbara foils his plans, and Tlotoxl threatens to destroy her in response. He tells audiences that he vows to stop Barbara, who isn’t really a threat, but the way he glares into the camera is undoubtedly unnerving.
16The First Doctor
Classic Era - “The Daleks' Master Plan”
William Hartnell’s First Doctoris the first incarnation of the titular character to break the fourth wall. During the classic era serial “The Daleks' Master Plan,” the First Doctor speaks directly to the camera andwishes all of those watching at home a Happy Christmas. The episode within this serial in which this moment happens is aptly named “The Feast of Steven,” which, funnily enough, has nothing to do with the festive season until the last scenes.
15The Fourth Doctor
Classic Era - “The Face Of Evil,” “Image Of The Fendahl,” “Underworld,” “The Invasion Of Time,” “The Pirate Planet,” & “Shada”
Out of the incarnations of the Doctor inDoctor Who, the Fourth Doctor is the most meta.Tom Baker’s Fourth Doctorbreaks the fourth wall several times. In the 2017 version of “Shada,” he grins at audiences as the story is wrapping up, for example.
From comments about the sonic screwdriver in “The Invasion of Time” to getting confused about being at Hyde Park in “The Face of Evil,” the Fourth Doctor hilariously loves to break the fourth wall.
However,he also talks to the camera several times, too. From comments about the sonic screwdriver in “The Invasion of Time” to getting confused about being at Hyde Park in “The Face of Evil,” the Fourth Doctor hilariously loves to break the fourth wall.
14Davros' Assassin
Classic Era - “Genesis Of The Daleks”
The firstrecurringDoctor Whovillainto break the fourth wall is a Dalek in “Genesis of the Daleks.” At the end of the serial, the Daleks decide to turn against their leader, and one of the aliens assassinates Davros. That sameDalek then delivers a chilling speech to viewers, warning them they will bide their time and eventually escape, and on that day, the Daleks will take over the universe. Every Dalek is somewhat threatening, but this one is particularly concerning.
13Wrack
Classic Era - “Enlightenment”
In the Fifth Doctor serial, “Enlightenment,” the villainous Captain Wrack is introduced. The Eternal is determined to become independent from the Ephemerals, but when the Doctor gets involved, Wrack isn’t happy.Wrack laughs directly at the camera as she cackles over her plans to destroy the Doctor, which, ultimately, never come to fruition. Instead, Wrack is thrown overboard into space, where she remains for all eternity.
12Morgus
Classic Era - “The Caves Of Androzani”
Several of these moments in classic eraDoctor Whodon’t count as fourth wall breaks because they’re unintentional, but Morgus in “The Caves of Androzani” is a unique example. Hilariously,Morgus actor John Normington fails to understand the stage directions given to himwhile delivering a dramatic monologue about the upcoming execution, and he speaks directly to the camera. However, these shots are purposely left in the final edit as the production team at the time thought it made Normington’s performance more theatrical.
11The Sixth Doctor
Within moments of the shockingDoctor Whoregeneration sequencein “The Caves of Androzani,”the brand-new Sixth Doctor uses his first few seconds on-screen to break the fourth wall. After a snarky question and a quick jab at Peri’s intelligence, the Sixth Doctor looks straight at the camera and utters the iconic words “Change, my dear — and it seems not a moment too soon.”
10The Valeyard
Classic Era - “The Trial Of A Time Lord”
Doctor Who’s the Valeyardis an enigmatic figure many hope will return in the future, and considering the meta angle the show is currently taking, perhaps this will happen. In “The Ultimate Foe,” the last chapter of the serial “The Trial of a Time Lord,” the Valeyard disguises himself as the Keeper of the Matrix.He breaks the fourth wall by looking at the camera and laughing about his escape, which provides a brilliant cliffhanger to Colin Baker’s final appearance as the Sixth Doctor.
9The Seventh Doctor
Classic Era - “Remembrance Of The Daleks”
While taking cover at Coal Hill School in “Remembrance of the Daleks,” the Seventh Doctor is adamant that the Daleks won’t land their shuttle anywhere near the playground. However, this ultimately proves to be untrue, and as the Daleks’ ship lands outside the school,the Doctor admits he has “miscalculated” to viewers at home. This is a fantastic and comical moment, and I wish other Doctors would own up to their mistakes like this.
8River Song
ThroughoutRiver Song’s entire timeline inDoctor Who, she only breaks the fourth wall once, and it’s an easy moment to miss if you’re not looking carefully. At the end of “Forest of the Dead,” the recently saved River tucks Donna’s “children” and Charlotte Abigail Lux into bed. While standing in the doorway of the kids’ bedroom, at the very last moment,River shoots a wholesome glance directly at the cameraand into the hearts and souls of those watching, which creates a rather warming moment.
