The three-season rule has struck again at Doctor Who. The BBC announced in a press release that Jodie Whittaker will leave the show next year after making her debut as the Thirteenth Doctor. Whittaker became the first woman to play the role when she debuted as the Time Lord in 2017’s Christmas Special. The actress then reprised the character in the subsequent seasons 11 and 12. She will have the last dance as the Doctor in the upcoming thirteenth season.
“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,” Whittaker said in a statement. “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.”
Whittaker will play the Doctor for six more episodes in the series. Additionally, she will also appear in three more specials planned for 2022. After the third one, the Doctor will regenerate once more, and someone else will take on the role since the Time Lord has recently restarted his regeneration cycle.
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Besides Whittaker’s exit from the series, showrunner Chris Chibnall will leave the floor to someone else too. He is the mind behind the choice to cast Whittaker as the Doctor, and he also brought some crucial characters on the show, including Ryan, Yaz, Graham, Jo Martin, and many more.
“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. “So now our shift is done, and we’re handing back the TARDIS keys. Jodie’s magnificent, iconic Doctor has exceeded all our high expectations. 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!”
The BBC has yet to announce an official release date for Doctor Who Season 13.
What do you think about Jodie Whittaker’s work as the Thirteenth Doctor? Let us know in the comment section below!
Recommended Reading: Doctor Who: The Thirteenth Doctor – Old Friends
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