The halfway point of Doctor Who season 10 is fast approaching, and fans are loving Peter Capaldi's latest season alongside his new companion Bill (Pearl Mackie). It's a bittersweet enjoyment, however, as Capaldi will be stepping down as the Doctor at the end of this season -- and he's not the only major player who will be leaving the show this year.

Longtime showrunner Steven Moffat is also going to be departing at the end of season 10, to be replaced by Chris Chibnall. Big changes are sure to follow, with a new Doctor, a new showrunner, and a 'whole new show' promised. That's a lot of changes to consider and there is now confirmation that one more recurring character will be waving goodbye to the sci-fi series: Michelle Gomez.

Gomez, who has played Missy on the show since 2014, confirmed that she will also be departing at the end of season 10 in an interview with the Radio Times:

"My pals are going so I’m going. Everybody’s leaving, so I’m going too. I mean, what would I do without Peter and Steven? Who would I be? Nah, it’s done now. It’s over. It’s the end of a chapter.

But I’ll miss the amazing, wonderful, incredible Peter Capaldi, who I think is one of the best Doctors we’ve ever had. I’ll miss somebody like Steven Moffat writing me the best lines I’ve ever had in my career."

Peter Capaldi and Michelle Gomez in "Dark Water"
Picture shows: PETER CAPALDI as The Doctor, MICHELLE GOMEZ as Missy, Cybermen

Missy first appeared as the big bad of Doctor Who season 8, where it was finally revealed that she was a new regeneration of the Master -- a previous foe of the Doctor's, and another surviving Time Lord. It has also been confirmed that John Simmons, who played an earlier version of the Master, will be reappearing in the show this season.

While this is sad news for fans of Missy, it does seem to confirm that the series will be wiping the slate clean for season 11. This could be fantastic news for the show -- or it could alienate long-time viewers.

This news is also bound to play into speculation over how the Master will be joining the show this season, and what will happen to this phenomenally dark character in the season finale. With both Master and Missy working together, could this really be the end for the character... or will it mean another regeneration for the show's second Time Lord, wiping out the previous two actors in the process?

Doctor Who continues next Saturday with ‘Extremis’ @9pm on BBC America.

Next: Doctor Who: Oxygen Review & Discussion

Source: Radio Times