The BBC responds to report that Dr. Who star Jodie Whittaker is leaving the show after series 13
- ‘We won’t be commenting on any speculation around Jodie’s future on the show,’ the network responded to Digital Spy
- Whittaker, 38, reportedly told BBC bosses that she won’t be returning to the popular series following the conclusion of the upcoming series 13
- That will mark a three-year run for the actress, which is about average for recent actors playing the time-traveling alien
- Matt Smith, David Tennant and Peter Capaldi also appeared on Doctor Who for three series each, while Christopher Eccleston only appeared on one series after the show was revived in 2005
- According to a source for The Mirror, the show is already at work on figuring out how Whittaker will be replaced by the Fourteenth Doctor
It was reported earlier on Sunday by The Mirror that Dr. Who star Jodie Whittaker had turned in her notice for the long-running sci-fi/adventure series.
Later in the day, the BBC issued a terse statement in regards to her potential departure.
‘We won’t be commenting on any speculation around Jodie’s future on the show,’ the network responded to Digital Spy.
Tight-lipped: The BBC said that it ‘commenting on any speculation around Jodie’s future on the show’ in a statement following reports in The Mirror that she’s departing Doctor who after the upcoming series 13; seen in 2018
Whittaker, 38, reportedly told BBC bosses that she won’t be returning to the popular series following the conclusion of the upcoming series 13.
That will mark a three-year run for the actress, which is about average for recent actors playing the time-traveling alien.
Matt Smith, David Tennant and Peter Capaldi also appeared on Doctor Who for three series each, while Christopher Eccleston only appeared on one series after the show was revived in 2005.
Average: Whittaker will have had a three-series run at the end of her time, putting her in line with past Doctors David Tennant, Matt Smith and Peter Capaldi; still from Doctor Who
Down to business: According to a source for The Mirror, the show is already at work on figuring out how Whittaker will be replaced by the Fourteenth Doctor; still from Doctor Who
According to a source for The Mirror, the show is already at work on figuring out how Whittaker will be replaced by the Fourteenth Doctor.
‘It’s all very hush-hush but it is known on set that Jodie is leaving and they are gearing up for a regeneration,’ a source said.
‘Her departure is top secret but at some point over the coming months the arrival of the 14th Doctor will need to be filmed. It’s very exciting.’
New work: The Black Mirror actress is reportedly interested in taking on new roles after being tied to the show the last few years; seen in January in New York City
As with previous Doctors, at the end of Whittaker’s tenure her character will ‘regenerate’ into a new form, at which point the next actor will take over the role.
The Black Mirror actress is reportedly interested in taking on new roles after being tied to the show the last few years.
In January 2020, she told Entertainment Weekly: ‘I absolutely adore [the role]. At some point, these shoes are going to be handed on, but it’s not yet. I’m clinging on tight!’
Milestone: Whittaker made history in July 2017 when she was announced as the first-ever female doctor after Peter Capaldi ended his run; still from Doctor Who
Whittaker made history in July 2017 when she was announced as the first-ever female doctor after Peter Capaldi ended his run.
The role paired her up with showrunner Chris Chibnall, who had previously worked with her on the ITV crime series Broadchurch.
Whittaker’s departure comes after her costars Bradley Walsh and Tosin Cole ended their runs on Doctor Who with its New Year’s special.