Summary
Jodie Whittaker learns the Doctor’s real name on stage during aDoctor Whoevent at Fan Expo Dallas, reacting to the reveal in front of a crowd of fans. The Doctor’s real name has remained a mystery for decades, with some possible options being mentioned, but no one, singular name getting revealed. While some Doctors have revealed their real name to companions and other characters within the series, as ofDoctor Whoseason 14, the audience themselves have never been let in on the secret.
Now, a video from@whatawaytofallshows Whittaker, who portrayed the Thirteenth Doctor onDoctor Who, learning the name of the character on stage while we were there in attendance.
During the event which Screen Rant was the media partner for,Alex Kingston, who portrayed River Song, whispers the name into Whittaker’s ear.She has a big reaction to it, putting her face in her hands before sitting down.
What Could The Doctor’s Real Name Be?
Doctor Who Must Be Keeping It Secret For A Reason
Hints about the Doctor’s real name have been given throughout the series, with some members of theDoctor Whocastknowing what it is.The name could be anything from his often-used alias John Smith, to Theta Sigma,a nickname he was given at the Time Lord Academy. It’s also possible the name is something that hasn’t been shared onscreen before, perhaps because of just how secretive it is, or because it’s incomprehensible to people. However, it’s clearly an important part of the character, and possibly a secret the stars of the show are aware of.
It’s unclear what greater purpose the Doctor’s name holds for the franchise, but it appears to be kept secretive for a reason. One possible explanation for why the audience doesn’t know the name yet is becausethe show’s title,Doctor Who, is in reference to nobody watching the series knowing the answer.If the protagonist’s name were to be revealed, then it would defeat the purpose of the title, making the long-running secret feel more disappointing because it was unveiled. The fact it’s a secret is one of many classic elements of the show that can’t be infringed upon.
However, it’s still possibleone of the Doctorswill reveal their real name at some point in the future, perhaps during the climax of the entire series. Since season 15 has already been confirmed, though,Doctor Whowill probably be continuing for quite some time. This meansit will be a long time until the lead character’s name gets revealed, possibly in an important context that sets the stage for a major event in the series.
New episodes ofDoctor Whoarrive Saturdays on the BBC, BBC iPlayer, and Disney+.
Doctor Who
Cast
Doctor Who: Released on August 12, 2025, this series follows the Doctor and their companion as they journey across time and space, encountering a range of extraordinary friends and adversaries, expanding the universe of the long-running British science fiction series.
