Dave's Second Doctor Page
Played by PATRICK TROUGHTON 1966-1969, reprised 1973, 1983, 1985.
The Second Doctor was a complete contrast to the first. Whereas the first had had an air of dignity, the second seemed much more absent-minded, and unashamedly enthusiastic. He had a tendency to clown around, but inherited his predecessor's brilliance and wit.
This Doctor was my favourite because he battled the Daleks, Cybermen, Yeti, Sontarans, and Ice Warriors and saw each of them off. Whilst he was a good friend to companions Jamie, Zoe & Victoria, he would be cunning and ingenious in his plans, sometimes playing his enemies like an old fiddle. (Note how he gets Omega cross in The Three Doctors to test his temperament.)
Actor Patrick Troughton had the unenviable task of taking over the lead role in an established and popular television series. Whilst this had been done before (notably in The Avengers), it had not been done with a different actor playing a different interpretation of the same character. So Troughton's task was doubly difficult. He had to play the Doctor differently and yet the same. Troughton had already played the lead in television series Robin Hood and The Splendid Spur and had trained as an actor in the States. He was heavily disguised by facial hair in both programmes and had once it was decided that he would look different from Hartnell, Patrick fancied he would be blacked up for the part. Fortunately for the viewers, this idea was not pursued. Troughton had a face that was meant to be seen. Troughton could rival Tony Hancock in the range of expressions that could cross his face in one twenty-five minute episode.
Troughton consolidated the success of Hartnell's first three seasons, and in some respects built on it. The ratings were not so high in volume as the best of the Hartnell era, but were an improvement on those for Hartnell's later episodes.. Troughton managed to keep the show going for another three years, when he left having decided to work for a maximum of three years at the start of his tenure.
Troughton died wearing his Doctor Who costume at a convention in American on 28th March 1987. You could say therefore that like Hartnell, the last role he played was The Doctor.
There is as yet no biography of Patrick Troughton, but I can recommend DOCTOR WHO: THE HANDBOOK: THE SECOND DOCTOR by Stephen Walker, Mark Stammers, and David Howe . This looks in detail at the Second Doctor's era, both behind the scenes and on the screen.
You could also look at:
Doctor Who Indulged My Passion For Clowning - some autobiographical words from Troughton himself
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Mail me: dfarmbrough@cix.co.uk.