Doctor through
Whittaker to leave hit show after three series as Time Lord
JODIE Whittaker is set to quit her role as Doctor Who at the end of the next series.
The 38-year-old has told show bosses she plans to leave after three stints in the Tardis, like most of her predecessors. A Doctor Who insider said: “It’s all very hush-hush but it’s known on set that Jodie is leaving and th e y are gearing up for a regeneration. 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.”
Insiders said Whittaker is keen to take on other roles from later this year.
The source said co- stars Bradley Walsh and Tosin Cole will follow her out of the door, but showrunner Chris Chibnall is to remain.
Filming on the current run of the BBC sci-fi show is due to finish this summer and it will air in the autumn. The series has been cut to eight episodes as Covid restrictions slowed down production.
Other Doctors to leave after three runs include William Hartnell, Patrick Troughton, Peter Davison, Sylvester McCoy, Matt Smith and Peter Capaldi.
David Tennant did the same, but extended his tenure with special shows.
Whittaker, the first female to be cast as the Doctor, once said: “If I even think about leaving, it makes me cry. When it happens, I can pre-empt it will be my most devastating moment. I absolutely adore it but at some point, these shoes are going to be handed on.”
Mum-of-one Whittaker made her debut in the closing scenes of the 2017 Christmas special when she regenerated from Capaldi , who was shot by Cybermen.
In the next series, Whittaker and Mandip Gill, who plays sidekick Yaz, will be joined by Scouse star John Bishop, who has already been spotted filming with returning warrior baddies the Sontarans.