Doctor Who fans were left on the edge of their seats as a baffling trailer teased that new enemies are coming for Jodie Whittaker’s final series as Doctor Who.
The BBC released a 16-second teaser clip, which aired before Strictly Come Dancing on Saturday night, warning that ‘enemies from across the universe’ were on their way for the upcoming 13th series.
The title for the new series was revealed to be Doctor Who: Flux, while the trailer saw Jodie Whittaker warning viewers to prepare for ‘the fight of our lives’.
It’s here: The BBC released a tense 16 second teaser clip warning that ‘enemies from across the universe’ were on their way for the upcoming 13th series
The 39-year-old actress, and the show’s first female doctor, spoke to the camera as the Doctor, warning that the mysterious ‘Flux’ was coming – and was bringing enemies including the Sontarans and the Weeping Angels with it.
In the clip, she said: ‘Can you hear me? Listen carefully, we don’t have much time. The Flux is coming, it’s bringing with it the Sontarans, Weeping Angels, creatures known as the Ravagers and enemies from across the universe. This is the fight of our lives!’
Meanwhile, Yaz – played by Mandeep Gill – and new companion Dan – played by comedian John Bishop – panicked in the background as they manned the T.A.R.D.I.S.
Yaz shouted: ‘Doctor we need you!’
Mystery: The title for the new series was revealed to be Doctor Who: Flux, while the trailer saw Jodie Whittaker warning viewers to prepare for ‘the fight of our lives’
Spooky surprise: The tense trailer has left eager fans on the edge of their seats for the upcoming series, which will arrive on screens in time for Halloween on October 31
While Dan said: ‘I can’t hold it much longer Doctor!’
The dramatic clip ended with the Doctor warning: ‘It’s coming, be ready.’
The tense trailer has left eager fans on the edge of their seats for the upcoming series, which will arrive on screens in time for Halloween on October 31.
Fans of the sci-fi franchise were left wanting to know more about the illusive Flux after watching the short teaser, taking to Twitter to share their frustration that a full trailer was not been released.
One user wrote: ‘I so can’t wait to see The mysterious Flux.’
Fans of the sci-fi franchise were left wanting to know more about the illusive Flux after watching the short teaser trailer
Another fumed: ‘RELEASE THE FULL TRAILER NOW PLEASE!! Unless the little teaser is all we’re getting… #DoctorWho’
A third said: ‘Can we have a full trailer already?’ while a fourth added: ‘Sontarans, Weeping Angels! Yay!’
And a fifth penned: ‘Two of my favourite villains returning. I hope the Sontarans are actually villains this time around. As much as I loved Drax, I want them to be an actual threat again.’
The series will be made up of eight jam-packed episodes, which will all be connected together as part of a larger storyline.
The new series will see The Doctor and Yaz joined by two new companions, Dan and futuristic ally Vinder, played by Game of Thrones’ actor Jacob Anderson.
The much-anticipated series will be Jodie’s last as the Doctor, as she confirmed in July that she was leaving the sci-fi programme after four years.
Goodbye: Chris and Jodie (pictured) announced they will leave Doctor Who in a trio of Specials, culminating in an epic blockbuster Special to air in Autumn 2022 as part of the BBC’s Centenary celebrations
Her departure will play out at the end of this series across a three-part special, with the first instalment airing in autumn 2022.
The three-part special will also be the last for current showrunner Chris Chibnall, who will be replaced by the Russell T Davies, who is returning 12 years after he stepped away from the series.
The screenwriter was responsible for bringing the sci-fi series back to screens in 2005 and he will return to helm the programme following the departure of Chris and Jodie.
Russell will be responsible for overseeing Doctor Who when it celebrates its 60th Anniversary in 2023 and beyond.
Speaking about his sensational return, Russell said: ‘I’m beyond excited to be back on my favourite show.
‘But we’re time-travelling too fast, there’s a whole series of Jodie Whittaker’s brilliant Doctor for me to enjoy, with my friend and hero Chris Chibnall at the helm – I’m still a viewer for now.’
He’s back: The three-part special will also be the last for current showrunner Chris Chibnall, who will be replaced by the Russell T Davies
Commenting on Russell’s appointment, Chibnall said: ‘It’s monumentally exciting and fitting that Doctor Who’s 60th anniversary will see one of Britain’s screenwriting diamonds return home.
‘Russell built the baton that is about to be handed back to him – ‘Doctor Who’, the BBC, the screen industry in Wales, and let’s be honest everyone in the whole world, have so many reasons to be very excited indeed about what lies ahead.’
After bringing Doctor Who back to the BBC – 16 years after it was cancelled in 1989 – with Christopher Eccleston as the Ninth Doctor, Russell is credited with propelling the show into a global phenomenon and making it one of TV’s biggest hits.
He replaced Eccleston with Tenth Doctor David Tennant and also created two successful spin off series, Torchwood and The Sarah Jane Adventures – which saw Elisabeth Sladen reprise her role as the beloved titular companion who travelled with Third Doctor Jon Pertwee and Fourth Doctor Tom Baker in the 1970s.
It was reported that Jodie and Chris had attracted just half the audience during their paring compared to what the Russell T Davies-led, David Tennant-fronted version of the show did.
The Telegraph reported at the beginning of the year that episodes were drawing in fewer than five million viewers. The paper added that such numbers are ‘not dissimilar to when the show was axed in 1989’.
The season finale of series 12 had a total TV audience of 4.6million, making it the lowest Doctor Who has ever had. The previous all-time low was 4.7million in 2017.
In January, Alex Apati of Ladbrokes predicted of Jodie’s replacement: ‘Jodie Whittaker’s time in the TARDIS will be coming to an end and as things stand it’s Michaela Coel who looks most likely to replace her.’
The casting would be yet another string in I Will Destroy You star Michaela’s bow, as she is also a screenwriter, director, producer and singer.
And IT Crowd star RIchard Ayoade, 43, is not far behind Michaela in the odds as he looks to add to his impressive CV, which not only comprises acting but also hosting.
In a poll by Metro, 38% revealed they would like to see Richard as the Doctor earlier this year and he has speculation rising among superfans.
Iconic: The 58-year-old screenwriter was responsible for bringing the sci-fi series back to screens in 2005 and he will return to helm the programme following the departure of current showrunner Chris Chibnall and Thirteenth Doctor Jodie Whittaker (pictured)
The news that Jodie was bowing out of the series left Doctor Who fans devastated, with many rushing to Twitter to share their sadness.
One explained: ‘JODIE WHITTAKER IS LEAVING DOCTOR WHO I WANT TO CRY,’ while another added: ‘Jodie Whittaker is leaving Doctor Who and I am going to be sad about this all year.’
Jodie will first appear in the thirteenth season of Doctor Who – set to air later this year – and then in the first special, tipped to hit screens on New Year’s Day 2022.
A second special will air in spring 2022, with Jodie’s final, feature-length appearance as the Doctor – in which she will regenerate – arriving in autumn 2022 as part of the BBC’s centenary celebrations.
Of her time on the show, Jodie said: ‘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.’
She added: ‘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.’
Jodie concluded: ‘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.’
The BBC have said that plans for the new generation of Doctor Who will be announced ‘in due course’.
As the first woman to play the iconic role, Jodie has thrilled audiences with her portrayal of the Time Lord, winning the hearts of Doctor Who fans across the globe.
In 2020, Jodie was voted 2nd Most Popular Doctor of all time, coming within a whisker of her friend David Tennant, in a poll of more than 50,000 fans for Radio Times.
Big news: The BBC have said that plans for the new generation of Doctor Who will be announced ‘in due course’