Title sequence A title sequence is that part of a programme which typically gives the series title , theme music , and serial or episode name . It may also provide the names of the principal actors involved , as well as that of the writer . " Doctor Who " . Historically , the title sequence has been of great interest to " Doctor Who " fans , especially when it has been overhauled , as at the beginning of a new actor ' s tenure as the Doctor , or simply when a producer decided to do so . Changes to the title sequence can be rigorously scrutinised by fans , who may be interested in such minutiae as the font used in the title cards or even relatively minor variations in the theme music . The 1963 - 1967 version of the programme titles did not feature an image of The Doctor , but from 1967 - 1989 the title sequence included a shot of the current Doctor ' s head floating either through space or the time vortex . However , the presence of the head — or in the case of Season 11 , the " body " — of the Doctor during the Troughton , Pertwee and Tom Baker eras rendered the title sequences more abstract . John Nathan - Turner ' s radical redesign of the title sequence completely eliminated the time vortex , and replaced it with a representation of space that was never seen in that way within the body of episodes — mainly because the visual effect of space was far more expensive than the production team could afford on a weekly basis . By contrast , the title sequences used during the Hartnell era , the McGann telemovie , and the whole of the BBC Wales era , were not abstractions , but showed the time vortex in a way that was used within the body of stories themselves . ( TV : " An Unearthly Child " , " Doctor Who " , " Utopia " , " The Pandorica Opens " , " Hide " ) . The 1996 TV movie eliminated the use of the Doctor ' s face in the title sequence ( although it did use an extreme close - up of the Master ' s eyes instead ) , instead introducing the practice of crediting the lead actors over the opening theme - - something that was never done in the 1963 - 89 series . This same general format was retained when " Doctor Who " returned to television in 2005 , although some fans bemoaned the loss of the Doctor ' s face from the sequence and created their own for video sharing services such as YouTube . However , the 2012 Christmas Special , " The Snowmen " , introduced a new title sequence which the Doctor ' s face was integrated into . The current title sequence which was introduced in " Deep Breath " also includes the Doctor ' s face , although it mainly focuses on the eyes . 1963 - 67 . The first title sequence consisted of a simple " howlround " effect over the stark original arrangement of the " Doctor Who " theme . The logo was mixed into the image in such a way that the title momentarily looks like DOCTOR OWO or DOCTOR QHO . The logo then moves into the distance as the sequence cross - fades into the first scene of the episode . The title and writer of the episode is superimposed over this scene , except " The War Machines " and " The Tenth Planet " experimented with specialised title cards for the episodes . The original title sequence was filmed by Bernard Lodge , Hugh Sheppard and Norman Taylor . 46 years after its last use in " The Moonbase " , this title sequence was used to open the 50th anniversary special , " The Day of the Doctor " . The title sequence was modified to fit a 16 : 9 aspect ratio , and the BBC logo was added under " WHO " . Also , the first scene begins immediately after the words form ; after a few moments , they break apart ; this effect is not seen in the 1963 - 67 version . 1967 - 69 . A more active howlround effect is employed in the second title sequence . This is the first to truly illustrate the time vortex effect . The Doctor ' s face is now incorporated into the sequence : a closeup of a smiling Patrick Troughton which breaks apart to reveal a redesigned logo . Like its predecessor , it moves towards the back of the image . For the most part , the howlround effect continued as the episode title , episode number and writer appeared superimposed over the image , though some stories such as " The War Games " placed the titles over specialised footage . A modified arrangement of the Doctor Who Theme accompanied this version from episode 2 of " The Faceless Ones " onwards , except on episodes 4 and 5 of " Fury from the Deep " where , due to an error , the 1963 arrangement of the theme was used . 1970 - 73 . A shift to colour production and a change to a new Doctor resulted in a new title sequence being commissioned . Although similar to the 1967 - 69 version , only now given a red hue , a more tunnel - like howlround is employed . Now , instead of moving away from the camera , the logo is stationary , but it changes colour . The episode title and the name of writer are stationary as well , except for during the title sequences of " The Ambassadors of Death " and " Spearhead from Space " , in which the title goes towards the screen . A new image of Jon Pertwee replaced that of Troughton . Some variants were attempted during the 1970 season : " The Ambassadors of Death " experimented with interrupting the title sequence with a scene from the episode , while " Inferno " employed a one - off use of volcano footage as the backdrop to the episode title and writer credit . Otherwise , from here on in , the episode title and writer and episode number would be consistently featured as part of the opening titles . In 1972 a revision was made , incorporating animation of the Doctor moving his hands over his head and a revised version of the theme music . This version was never officially employed , but did accidentally go out on an international print of " Carnival of Monsters " . One modification to the theme that became permanent was the use of a melodic sting ( a repeating musical phrase ) that gave the opening sequence a definite conclusion ; before it simply cross faded into the first scene of the episode ; the " middle eight " section of the theme , occasionally heard during the 1963 - 69 openings , was no longer included due to the sting . 1973 - 1974 . Bernard Lodge created a new version of the title sequence for Pertwee ' s final season . A slit - screen effect was used to render stars shooting through space and the sequence begins with a close - up of Pertwee ' s face which pulls back to reveal a full - length image of the actor . He then becomes an outline , which shows the time vortex , heading towards the camera and completely vanishing . The show ' s iconic diamond logo was introduced with this version . 1974 - 1980 . The sequence was similar to its predecessor , it opens with an image of the TARDIS going through the vortex ; the TARDIS becomes an outline as it draws closer to the screen , showing the Time Vortex . A close up of Tom Baker ' s face appears , fading away to show the time vortex . Used for six seasons , this version of the opening was used longer than any title sequence to date . It is also the first opening sequence to have the TARDIS in it . This would not happen again until the Seventh Doctor Era . For the first part of Tom Baker ' s second serial ( " The Ark in Space " ) , the sequence colour was changed from blue to orange , pink , and brown tones . However , all later episodes reverted to Tom Baker ' s first sequence . 1980 - 1984 . John Nathan - Turner commissioned a radical reimagining of the title sequence in 1980 . Delia Derbyshire ' s arrangement of the Doctor Who theme was retire d and a new Peter Howell rendition was introduced . The diamond logo was retired for a neon - tube - styled branding . To go with these new elements , Lodge ' s howlround and slit screen were also retired and a new starfield influenced by " Star Wars " was introduced . A new image of Tom Baker forms out of the stars in this version , the face moving towards the camera . The same title sequence was used in the Peter Davison era , except with Davison ' s face used now instead of Baker ' s and extra stars filled the right side of shape . In addition a " venetian blinds " effect is added to introduce Davison ' s image . The reason behind the new " venetian blind " effect was because , unlike Baker , Davison had a more normal hair style , thus the shape the stars would form is less interesting . 1984 - 1986 . On the foundation of the starfield from the 1980 - 84 sequence , a new one was constructed . Prism effects added colour to the image , and the logo was modified slightly to have a curved appearance as well as the added colour . For the first time , animation was added to the Doctor ' s image in an official title sequence ; he now went from a sombre expression to a smile . According to commentary on the DVD release of " The Twin Dilemma " , this sequence was produced so it had subtle differences from episode to episode . The Howell version of the Doctor Who theme was replaced by a new version by Dominic Glynn for the 1986 season , but the title sequence remained unchanged . This title sequence is currently the last to not include the TARDIS . 1987 - 89 . For new Doctor Sylvester McCoy , a completely new title sequence was commissioned . Now computer animated , it begins with an explosion , which turns into stars that surround a galaxy . Three rocks then fall into the galaxy , in rhythm with the theme . The TARDIS , inside a sphere of blue energy , rotates into the galaxy , vanishing just as a spiral of blue energy swirls inside the galaxy . The Doctor ' s face then appears . For reasons unknown , McCoy was covered with gold / silver makeup for the photo session , which now has three expressions for the Doctor ( sombre , then a wink , then a smile ) . The series title ( the logo once again redesigned ) now appears at the very end of the sequence . It forms with the letters " W " , " H " and " O " floating in space until they form the word " WHO " , with the word " DOCTOR " appearing in cursive afterwards . The episode title and writer now appear on screen at the same time as the logo . The episode number , in a return to the old style , is now superimposed over the first scene of the episode . The 1993 special mini - episode " Dimensions in Time " used a shorter version of this sequence with a new rendition of the theme ; the Doctor ' s face is not featured in this version and the part with the galaxy was horizontally reversed . 1996 . An extended opening sequence opened the TV movie , commencing with a view of Skaro and a sequence showing the Master being executed by the Dalek s ( with Paul McGann , as the Eighth Doctor , narrating ) . A close - up of the Master ' s eyes follows . At this point a new , slower rendition of the theme kicks in . Beginning with the " middle eight " this time , the sequence shows the Doctor Who logo ( based upon the one used from 1970 to 1973 ) flying through space . The camera follows it from behind for a while before it disappears and , in a time vortex - like sequence , the names of the lead actors appear on screen ( a first for the TV franchise , with both McGann and McCoy receiving screen credit , although McCoy is billed fourth ) , after which the TARDIS is shown heading towards Earth . Of all the title sequences , this one was the shortest lived , lasting only 1 episode . 2005 - 2010 . The revival of " Doctor Who " in 2005 saw the introduction of many new elements , including a new horizontal logo ( the better to capitalise on widescreen production ) and a new theme arrangement by Murray Gold . A fully CG - realised time vortex is featured in this much faster - paced opening . It begins with the viewer hurtling down the tunnel , only to find the TARDIS coming up it towards the screen . It briefly pauses and rotates in the foreground , before hurtling down another part of the vortex as the lead actors ' names appear , followed by the series logo . The episode title and writer credits follow as the sequence leads into the first scene of the episode . In the revival , additional production credits ( producer , director , and occasionally guest stars ) play out over the opening scenes as well , US - style . Several modifications were made to the sequence , including minor colour changes in late 2005 which were removed a year later , minor cosmetic alterations to the logo in 2006 , a new Gold arrangement of the theme introduced in 2007 , and a more detailed TARDIS model in 2009 . The actor credits changed as needed , with the credits for " The Stolen Earth " and " Journey ' s End " featuring a large number of actor names . An animated variant , featuring the same time vortex image but with a cartoon TARDIS , was created for the animated storylines produced during the Tennant era . Of the revived series title sequences , this one was the longest lived , lasting 60 episodes . 2010 - 2012 . A new logo , a new theme arrangement ( again by Gold ) , a new production regime and a new Doctor resulted in a reinvention of the opening credits . Although still a time vortex , now the design resembles a storm cloud , with lightning effects accompanying the names that appear on screen after the initial appearance of the TARDIS . After the names appear , the TARDIS appears from the background , becomes the " DW " element of the series logo . It reforms as the TARDIS and flies around the vortex as the episode title and writer credit appear on screen . A slight modification to the logo is evident in the version broadcast beginning in 2011 . It now incorporates the BBC logo . Occasionally a longer version of the opening , showing the vortex from a distance as the camera moves towards it , has been seen , as in the 2011 mini - episode " Space " . The version aired with " A Good Man Goes to War " includes a unique variant in the sound mix as the TARDIS sound is heard . For Series 7 , the title sequence was changed . The font for the lead actors has been changed and unlike previously where the names zoomed in past the camera , the text now evaporates . The Doctor Who logo has also changed , where it receives a texture that changes to reflect an element of the following episode ( e . g . : in the first episode , it had a look similar to that of the side of a Dalek ) . The TARDIS logo also appears after the " Doctor Who " logo disappears , where it eventually turns into the real TARDIS travelling through the time vortex . The font used to introduce the title of the episode has also been changed , and rather than just covering the bottom of the screen , it is now centralised ; the lettering is also now smaller and simple , making it harder to read the episode title if written in black . The time vortex itself in its blue state has also been given a yellow tint while the TARDIS windows emanate brighter light and the sharpness of the picture has been lessened , giving it a dream - like appearance . The red vortex has gotten darker and darker with each episode , turning from crimson to purple in " The Power of Three " . It was grey with pink flashes in its last appearance , " The Angels Take Manhattan " ; it also took a green tone as well . 2012 - 2013 . For " The Snowmen " , debuting on Christmas Day 2012 , a brand new title sequence was created , more illustrious compared to any other version since the show ' s 2005 revival . It is reminiscent of several of the Classic Series ' titles , most notably the Sylvester McCoy opening of the late 1980s . It was used for the remainder of the Eleventh Doctor era . The sequence begins with TARDIS filling the entire screen ; it spins away , gas parting to reveal a background of galaxies and nebulae . A shower of explosions from below knock the TARDIS off course , sending it spinning abruptly away to the left . The camera trails after , spinning past several planets and supernovae , before emerging into a dark and clear sector of empty space , allowing the cast names to pass by ( in the same style , typeface and animation as was featured in Series 7 Part 1 ; however , instead of " evaporating " , the text disperses into particles ) . A swirling gassy nebula resembling the Eleventh Doctor ' s face flickers into view - in a similar fashion , or at least a heavy nod , to many of the title sequences between 1966 and 1989 - before dissolving into darkness and then evaporating completely . The Doctor Who logo then forms ( the ' DW ' section now removed from the logo entirely ) , before dispersing into some form of crackling red energy . At last , the new Time Vortex is revealed - this time depicted as colourful streams of flowing energy , pouring out of a sparkling white light which remains at the centre of the screen until the end of the sequence . The title of the episode appears , along with the name of the author , as the TARDIS spins back towards the screen , the doors opening and enticing the audience into the episode itself . The closing credits use the the vortex that appears toward the end of this intro sequence as a background , as the end credits scroll upward in the same white font as the intro , similar to the previous version . According to " The Official Guide to the 2013 Series ( Doctor Who Magazine Special Edition ) " , the revised title sequence was a late addition to " The Snowmen " , which was originally intended to be the first full - length " Doctor Who " episode to not have an opening titles sequence . In " Journey to the Centre of the TARDIS " , the screen shakes a little at the beginning , similar to how the TARDIS is shaking in the preceding scene . When used in shorts , the title sequence took on a darker theme ( " The Night of the Doctor " , " Clara and the TARDIS " , et al ) The titles essentially display the reverse atmosphere of the energetic and inviting bright red vortex - sombre and foreboding . It begins with the Smith - era version of the TARDIS spinning through space into a midnight blue Time Vortex with purple accents , with streams of energy flowing out of a dark indigo centre . When used in " Night " , A credit zooms in reading Paul McGann ' s name , with a white glow around the letters . It flies off screen and the title for the episode flies into view . A writer credit , " by Steven Moffat " , fades in below the episode title . The text then shoots forward out of view and the mini - episode begins . This serves as the Eighth Doctor ' s second title sequence . Chronologically , it is also his final title sequence . Of the revived series title sequences , this one was the shortest lived , lasting only 10 episodes . 2014 - 2017 . " Deep Breath " saw the debut of a new title sequence originally designed by Billy Hanshaw , after executive producer Steven Moffat discovered a popular video of the graphic artist ' s conceptual " Doctor Who " title sequence on YouTube . Moffat , delighted with how new and innovative Hanshaw ' s ideas were , got in touch with him to create a professional version of his sequence for the series . The title sequence fades in and out if there is a time gap between the cold opening and the rest of the episode . When it fades in , the camera starts a small distance away from the tunnel of gears , passing a few by themselves before entering the tunnel . The new titles open with a vast expanse of golden - bronze clock gears whizzing by in an empty space , bronze and gaseous in appearance . Exiting the tunnel of clock gears , a spark of light reveals a tunnel of Roman numeral clock face numbers spiralling into a rather literal depiction of a time vortex with glowing engravings of circular Gallifreyan . The TARDIS passes through this vortex - about halfway through the sequence - and pans across the screen in a way very similar to the 2005 - 2010 title sequence , and then launches into the vortex on the right . The actors names then appear as the tunnel gradually unwinds , and fades away as it passes a group of planets circling around the screen . Peter Capaldi ' s piercing eyes are shown , rather than a full insert of the actor ' s face , hearkening back to the iconic shot of his eyes from " The Day of the Doctor " . The " Doctor Who " logo then forms , and zooms into the screen . From the middle right , the TARDIS spins back towards the screen , where it stops momentarily . It then resumes spinning , exiting to the left side of the screen , revealing the episode title and writer . The end credits use this vortex as a background . Starting with " The Magician ' s Apprentice " , the clock gears , the gas and the first unwinding clock face have a purple hue . From " The Pilot " onwards , the clock gears , the gas and the first unwinding clock face have a blue hue , rather than the purple hue seen in Series 9 . As well as this , the shot of Peter Capaldi ' s eyes is shown after the " Doctor Who " logo rather than before , and the episode title and writer appear in a larger typeface . This sequence received many one - off modifications during its usage . In " Death in Heaven " , the Doctor ' s appearance was replaced with that of Clara Oswald ( Jenna Coleman ) and her credit placed before his to reflect her ruse to the Cybermen that she was the Doctor . In " Heaven Sent " , Capaldi ' s name is held on the screen longer - as he is the only actor credited in the title sequence . When this title sequence was used in Christmas episodes , a wintry feel was given to the title sequence . In " Last Christmas " , the first unwinding clock face is icy / frosty and the TARDIS is covered in snow . Snowflakes appear in the second Time Vortex and the special guest credit for Nick Frost as Santa Claus is delayed until the sequence is nearly complete . " The Husbands of River Song " carried a similar title sequence to the previous year ; however , it was more elaborate in the Christmas theme . The title sequence began and ended with a flurry of snow racing from the side of the screen . Snow flowed through the tunnel of gears , which were icy blue while retaining the yellow flashing lights . When the unwinding clock appeared , a snow - covered TARDIS emerged and flew down the second . The frostiness of the tunnel slowly faded . The planets flying past were now ornaments , which were reflective and flew slower . The names of the actors and the show ' s title appeared from a mass of snow flakes . The TARDIS , still covered in snow , appeared at the end as usual . In " The Return of Doctor Mysterio " " " and " Twice Upon a Time " , they never used Christmas themed titles . 2015 ( one - off ) . The title sequence introduced in " Deep Breath " was temporarily ditched for a silent title card , which was used to fit with the " found footage " theme of the episode . This title card features the names of the characters and locations from " Sleep No More " alongside randomly picked numbers . The words ' Doctor Who ' can be seen spelled vertically through the names of other characters . The title of the episode is not seen in this title card , and instead appears during the closing credits , including the writer , Mark Gatiss and director , Justin Molotnikov . " K9 and Company " . This title sequence start with green blueprints of K9 and consisted of repeated footage of K9 and Sarah Jane Smith . Elisabeth Sladen receives her screen credit over footage of her character , rather than over a photo as was the case with the Doctors . The title sequence is also unique for incorporating K9 ' s voice into the theme music , making it the first franchise theme to have " lyrics " , and until " Class " in 2016 , the only one . " P . R . O . B . E . " . " to be added " " Torchwood " . This short intro started with the word Torchwood on the wall of the Torchwood hub and consisted of red lines and the red - coloured word Torchwood in various shapes , sizes , fonts and order on a black background and ended with simply the word Torchwood in the middle . Meanwhile , the actor credits appeared quickly and subtly in the background . The episode and writer credits appear superimposed over the opening scenes of the episode . For the 2009 miniseries " Children of Earth " no title sequence was used other than a very brief reference to the theme music , and the " Torchwood : Children of Earth " logo appearing black letters on white background . The actor and writer credits play out over the opening scenes of the episode . 2011 ' s " Torchwood : Miracle Day " , the fourth series of " Torchwood " , had its title sequence completely reinvented for this series . It consists of a plain white background with a thin red electrocardiogram line travelling from the left of the screen to the right of the screen . The actor names ( John Barrowman , Eve Myles , Mekhi Phifer , Alexa Havins , Kai Owen & Bill Pullman ) then appear onscreen in bold black letters as each new red lines moves across the screen . Once the names finish displaying , the red heart rate lines become faster as they change angle and move into the background , whilst this happens the word ' Torchwood ' moves onto the screen from the right and centres itself as the red lines slow down . Another small red line then travels across the bottom of the screen and the words ' Miracle Day ' appear below the " Torchwood " logo in bold red letters . The theme music for this title sequence is a slowed down , quiet arrangement of the original " Torchwood " opening theme music , and has extra beeping noises along with hospital sound effects in the background . " The Sarah Jane Adventures " . This title bore some resemblance to the 2005 - 2010 Doctor Who titles , but with letters instead of the Time Vortex effect . Elisabeth Sladen is the only cast member to be credited in the opening and the only actor in the franchise to receive a " Starring . . . " credit . The sequence remained unchanged during the five series that aired on CBBC . " K9 " . This title had a science theme , starting with graphics of a DNA double helix and the structure of an atom . It then has graphics of K9 Mark 2 being rebuilt from the parts of K9 Mark I . " Class " . This title had an almost high - school theme , with all the bright colours and images flying through space , such as the Coal Hill Academy , April , a Heart , Ram , Leaf Dragons , the Shadow Kin , and other aliens and characters in the show .