5th Doctor - John Rhys-Davies
Rhys-Davies had attracted the attention of producers after his performance in the TV adaptation of
I, Claudius. The actor appeared to be set up as a back-to-basics approach for The Doctor, leaving behind O’Sullivan’s satire elements and arming the character with an intellect beyond our earthly minds. Rhys-Davis’ portrayal also harked back to the days of Blessed and Hurt, using the characters knowledge for barbed quips and brilliant deus-ex-machina problem solving.
While he may have possibly been an amalgamation of those before him, Rhys-Davies made the role his own. Writers had to work overtime as the actor demanded the character show of more and more alien knowledge. The 5th Doctor was certainly carved himself out as an intellectual powerhouse, however, one that didn't sit well with producers. After the previous Doctor’s antics, Rhys-Davis’ Doctor appeared to be slowly sliding back towards Hurt’s vindictive narcissism. It was this, coupled with Rhys-Davies’ nagging at writers, that strained the latter’s relationship with producers...
Nonetheless, #5 is remembered fondly as “The Professor” amongst Whovians, due to his tendency to school anyone in his path. He also was the first Doctor to engage in a game of cricket (during "Black Orchid"), of which he refereed to as "the greatest game in the universe".