Happy Birthday, Peter Davison

Peter Davison was born on 13 April 1951, and today he celebrates his 74th birthday.

Best known to Doctor Who fans as the Fifth Doctor, Davison stepped into some very large shoes when he succeeded Tom Baker in 1981. At the time, he was the youngest actor to play the role, bringing a fresh energy and vulnerability to the character that contrasted sharply with Baker’s famously eccentric Fourth Doctor.

He remained in the role until 1984, starring in some of the show’s most memorable stories, including Earthshock, The Caves of Androzani, and The Five Doctors. His thoughtful, earnest portrayal won him a lasting place in the hearts of fans.

Davison returned to the role more than two decades later in the 2007 mini-episode Time Crash, alongside David Tennant’s Tenth Doctor. He reprised the part once more in 2022’s The Power of the Doctor, a special that celebrated the show’s rich legacy.

Happy birthday, Peter!