For 50 years, "Doctor Who" has thrilled TV viewers with the science fiction exploits of one alien with two hearts and (thus far) a dozen different faces. Fans have been dressing up as -- cosplaying -- their favorite Doctors for decades. Here, Scott Sebring, left, portrays William Hartnell's First Doctor.
The First Doctor —
For 50 years, "Doctor Who" has thrilled TV viewers with the science fiction exploits of one alien with two hearts and (thus far) a dozen different faces. Fans have been dressing up as -- cosplaying -- their favorite Doctors for decades. Here, Scott Sebring, left, portrays William Hartnell's First Doctor.
courtesy scott sebring/bbc
<a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fireport.cnn.com%2Fdocs%2FDOC-1061333">Mikhail Lynn</a> cosplays as multiple doctors, including the recorder-playing Second Doctor, who was portrayed by Patrick Troughton. He holds a special place in the St. Louis resident's heart: "Confident in his abilities and downright cocky at times, he never took himself too seriously. When faced with danger, the mercurial Doctor would play up the image of a hapless bumbler to throw off his enemies only to reveal a darker, sometimes ruthless side that was both a cunning strategist and fiercely loyal to his companions."
The Second Doctor —
Mikhail Lynn cosplays as multiple doctors, including the recorder-playing Second Doctor, who was portrayed by Patrick Troughton. He holds a special place in the St. Louis resident's heart: "Confident in his abilities and downright cocky at times, he never took himself too seriously. When faced with danger, the mercurial Doctor would play up the image of a hapless bumbler to throw off his enemies only to reveal a darker, sometimes ruthless side that was both a cunning strategist and fiercely loyal to his companions."
courtesy mikhail lynn/bbc
<a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fireport.cnn.com%2Fdocs%2FDOC-1060747">Jared Claxon's</a> favorite Doctor is the third, played by Jon Pertwee. " I watched reruns of Three on PBS when I was a wee lad," said the market researcher from Lake Helen, Florida. He was cosplaying the Third Doctor when he met his now fiancee.
The Third Doctor —
Jared Claxon's favorite Doctor is the third, played by Jon Pertwee. " I watched reruns of Three on PBS when I was a wee lad," said the market researcher from Lake Helen, Florida. He was cosplaying the Third Doctor when he met his now fiancee.
courtesy jared claxon/bbc
<a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fireport.cnn.com%2Fdocs%2FDOC-1061592">Bob Mitsch</a> of Pasadena, California, can often be seen at fan conventions portraying the Fourth Doctor. Tom Baker is quite popular, having played the Doctor longer than anyone. "He'll always be the one, the only and the definitive to me despite discovering and appreciating other Doctors over the years."
The Fourth Doctor —
Bob Mitsch of Pasadena, California, can often be seen at fan conventions portraying the Fourth Doctor. Tom Baker is quite popular, having played the Doctor longer than anyone. "He'll always be the one, the only and the definitive to me despite discovering and appreciating other Doctors over the years."
courtesy bob mitsch/scott sebring/Victor Blackman/Hulton Archive/Getty
<a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fireport.cnn.com%2Fdocs%2FDOC-1061282">Matthew Brewer</a> of Fairburn, Georgia, portrays the Fourth Doctor.
The Fourth Doctor —
Matthew Brewer of Fairburn, Georgia, portrays the Fourth Doctor.
courtesy matthew brewer/evening standard/Hulton Archive/Getty Images
<a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fireport.cnn.com%2Fdocs%2FDOC-1061158">Nathaniel Strong</a>, here cosplaying Peter Davison's Fifth Doctor, said his life has not been the same since discovering "Doctor Who" a few years ago. The lesson he takes away from it is, "Even if you think little of yourself you can make a world of a difference."
The Fifth Doctor —
Nathaniel Strong, here cosplaying Peter Davison's Fifth Doctor, said his life has not been the same since discovering "Doctor Who" a few years ago. The lesson he takes away from it is, "Even if you think little of yourself you can make a world of a difference."
courtesy nathaniel strong/bbc
<a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fireport.cnn.com%2Fdocs%2FDOC-1061333">Mikhail Lynn</a> plays the Fifth Doctor.
The Fifth Doctor —
Mikhail Lynn plays the Fifth Doctor.
courtesy mikhail lynn/gary weaser/hulton archive/getty images
<a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fireport.cnn.com%2Fdocs%2FDOC-1060781">Trey Tackett</a> didn't just dress like the colorful Sixth Doctor, he got to meet the man himself, Colin Baker, back in May. "There was something about the Sixth Doctor that just appealed to me," said the Roanoke, Virginia, sales clerk. "He was brash, blunt and honest."
The Sixth Doctor —
Trey Tackett didn't just dress like the colorful Sixth Doctor, he got to meet the man himself, Colin Baker, back in May. "There was something about the Sixth Doctor that just appealed to me," said the Roanoke, Virginia, sales clerk. "He was brash, blunt and honest."
courtesy trey tackett/bbc
<a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fireport.cnn.com%2Fdocs%2FDOC-1059900">"Erdaniella"</a> got together with some female friends in Budapest, Hungary, last summer to do a photo shoot as all 11 Doctors. She chose Sylvester McCoy's Seventh Doctor. "He is one of my favorites for his gamesmaster way of dealing with things."
50 years of 'Doctor Who,' 50 years of fans —
"Erdaniella" got together with some female friends in Budapest, Hungary, last summer to do a photo shoot as all 11 Doctors. She chose Sylvester McCoy's Seventh Doctor. "He is one of my favorites for his gamesmaster way of dealing with things."
courtesy hiro capa cica/erdaniella/bbc
Paul McGann's time as the Eighth Doctor lasted only about 90 minutes -- with six minutes tacked on just recently in a webisode -- but it was long enough to make an impact on London resident <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fireport.cnn.com%2Fdocs%2FDOC-1061543">Owen Rickard</a>.
The Eighth Doctor —
Paul McGann's time as the Eighth Doctor lasted only about 90 minutes -- with six minutes tacked on just recently in a webisode -- but it was long enough to make an impact on London resident Owen Rickard.
courtesy caitlin beerer/owen rickard/bbc worldwide
"Doctor Who" made a triumphant return to TV in 2005 with Christopher Eccleston's Ninth Doctor. <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fireport.cnn.com%2Fdocs%2FDOC-1056719">Nolan Moon</a> of Orlando often cosplays as this Doctor, and Allison Farrell often dresses like his companion, Rose Tyler.
The Ninth Doctor —
"Doctor Who" made a triumphant return to TV in 2005 with Christopher Eccleston's Ninth Doctor. Nolan Moon of Orlando often cosplays as this Doctor, and Allison Farrell often dresses like his companion, Rose Tyler.
courtesy nolan moon/bbc
<a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fireport.cnn.com%2Fdocs%2FDOC-1059709">John Rabon</a> of Easley, South Carolina, cosplays the Ninth Doctor.
The Ninth Doctor —
John Rabon of Easley, South Carolina, cosplays the Ninth Doctor.
courtesy john rabon/bbc
David Tennant is a favorite of new "Doctor Who" fans, and <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fireport.cnn.com%2Fdocs%2FDOC-1056629">Katrina Lynn Panzer</a> has made something of a reputation playing him. He "reminded me of myself. I quickly realized it wasn't just his enthusiasm or his tendency to use furniture in unconventional ways. He also had the anxiety and mood swings I've experienced most of my life."
The Tenth Doctor —
David Tennant is a favorite of new "Doctor Who" fans, and Katrina Lynn Panzer has made something of a reputation playing him. He "reminded me of myself. I quickly realized it wasn't just his enthusiasm or his tendency to use furniture in unconventional ways. He also had the anxiety and mood swings I've experienced most of my life."
courtesy katrina lynn panzer/adrian rogers/bbc worldwide
<a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fireport.cnn.com%2Fdocs%2FDOC-1057536">Ric Mauger</a> of Hawthorn, Australia, as the Tenth Doctor.
The Tenth Doctor —
Ric Mauger of Hawthorn, Australia, as the Tenth Doctor.
courtesy ric mauger/ozcospics/bbc
The current Doctor, the Eleventh portrayed by Matt Smith, is a favorite of <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fireport.cnn.com%2Fdocs%2FDOC-1061282">Matthew Brewer</a>. "The one from the new series is the one I actually followed from his beginning: the raggedy, bow-tied, tweedy, floppy-haired, childlike, fish finger and custard loving, fez wearing, very curious ... Eleventh Doctor. Since his start in 2010, I really followed his run down to the letter, I even have three Eleventh sonic screwdrivers."
The Eleventh Doctor —
The current Doctor, the Eleventh portrayed by Matt Smith, is a favorite of Matthew Brewer. "The one from the new series is the one I actually followed from his beginning: the raggedy, bow-tied, tweedy, floppy-haired, childlike, fish finger and custard loving, fez wearing, very curious ... Eleventh Doctor. Since his start in 2010, I really followed his run down to the letter, I even have three Eleventh sonic screwdrivers."
courtesy matthew brewer/bbc
<a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fireport.cnn.com%2Fdocs%2FDOC-1061245">Mark Tuttle</a> of Escondido, California, as the Eleventh Doctor.
The Eleventh Doctor —
Mark Tuttle of Escondido, California, as the Eleventh Doctor.
courtesy mark tuttle/bbc