At the beginning of the week we brought you the first trailer for the upcoming thirteenth season of Doctor Who. Now the BBC has confirmed the upcoming series will herald the exit of showrunner Chris Chibnall and star Jodie Whittaker.
“Jodie and I made a ‘three series and out’ pact with each other at the start of this once-in-a-lifetime blast,” Chibnall said in a statement to the press. “So now our shift is done, and we’re handing back the TARDIS keys.”
Following the thirteenth season, Doctor Who will return in 2022 with a series of feature-length specials which will culminate in the next regeneration.
“Jodie’s magnificent, iconic Doctor has exceeded all our high expectations,” Chibnall continued. “She’s been the gold standard leading actor, shouldering the responsibility of being the first female Doctor with style, strength, warmth, generosity and humour. She captured the public imagination and continues to inspire adoration around the world, as well as from everyone on the production. I can’t imagine working with a more inspiring Doctor – so I’m not going to! I wish our successors – whoever the BBC and BBC Studios choose – as much fun as we’ve had. They’re in for a treat!”
“In 2017 I opened my glorious gift box of size 13 shoes,” Whittaker added. “I could not have guessed the brilliant adventures, worlds and wonders I was to see in them. My heart is so full of love for this show, for the team who make it, for the fans who watch it and for what it has brought to my life. And I cannot thank Chris enough for entrusting me with his incredible stories. We knew that we wanted to ride this wave side by side, and pass on the baton together. So here we are, weeks away from wrapping on the best job I have ever had. I don’t think I’ll ever be able to express what this role has given me. I will carry the Doctor and the lessons I’ve learnt forever.”
Casting for the next Doctor has yet to be confirmed. Doctor Who returns later this year to both the BBC and BBC America.
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