BAFTA nominee Jodie Whittaker announces she will be ending her run as Doctor Who in 2022 with a feature-length special set to premiere next fall. First debuting in 1963, the long-running British sci-fi series centers on the titular extraterrestrial being as they journey through time using a ship called the TARDIS designed after a British police box. The Doctor would be accompanied by a variety of companions while also facing off against various foes to save civilizations.
Doctor Who has seen a number of actors come and go from the role beginning with William Hartnell, with most fans pointing towards David Tennant's Tenth Doctor, Matt Smith's Eleventh Doctor and Christopher Eccleston's Ninth Doctor as their favorites. Whittaker's casting for the role in 2017 proved divisive amongst fans but was groundbreaking for the franchise at the time as she would become the first female actor to portray The Doctor. However, after two well-received seasons for the actress, it appears her time is coming to a close.
With no premiere date still set for season 13, the official Doctor Who site has revealed that Whittaker will be departing the role in 2022 alongside showrunner Chris Chibnall. The duo will remain for a six-part event serial coming this fall and a trio of specials to be released next year, the third of which will be a feature-length final outing for Whittaker as the Thirteenth Doctor. Whittaker wrote about her departure in a statement:
“In 2017 I opened my glorious gift box of size 13 shoes. 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. I know change can be scary and none of us know what’s out there. That’s why we keep looking. Travel Hopefully. The Universe will surprise you. Constantly.”
Though fans have remained divided on Whittaker's run as the Thirteenth Doctor and some even calling for Doctor Who to come to a close in the near future, there are many who have remained very positive on the past few years of the sci-fi series. The news of her departure is sure to sadden those who have fallen in love with the latest Doctor, but at the same time comes with a few bright angles. Not only will a new season arrive later this year with Whittaker still portraying the Doctor, but she will also get the opportunity to close out the role properly with a trio of new specials next year.
Given some prior actors who have portrayed The Doctor never got the opportunity to deliver a farewell for their iteration of the character, the confirmation of a few final chapters for Whittaker should soothe some Doctor Who fans who have become attached to the character. Additionally, with the next season set to premiere this year, the wait is almost over for the long-running sci-fi series to return. Only time will tell who the BBC eyes next to bring The Doctor back to fans.
Source: Doctor Who