Doctor Who star Jodie Whittaker is expected to leave the BBC program after season 13, which is currently in production.
Update: The BBC refuses to comment in response to this story.
Jodie Whittaker is leaving Doctor who after season 13, which is being filmed in the UK. In 2017, the BBC announced one of the biggest jolts in the history of Doctor who: Jodie Whittaker would be taking over as the Thirteenth Doctor, the first woman to play the role. The idea of a doctor came up during the Tom Baker era, with Baker making jokes about the possibility when he announced he was leaving the program in 1980. It seemed like nothing more than a joke until Steven Moffat’s time as a showrunner, when established Time Lords could changing sex causing the Master to regenerate in a woman.
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Whittaker’s time as a Doctor has been controversial, initially because of the decision to change the Doctor’s gender, but increasingly because of the unexpected decisions made by showrunner Chris Chibnall. Doctor who the 12th season culminated in the retcon Timeless Child, revealing that the Doctor is not a Time Lord, but rather a being that potentially predates the entire universe. This revelation is a dramatic change in the continuity of the show, and has divided the fan base. It is reasonable to assume that retcon Timeless Child will dominate the Jodie Whittaker race in the minds of fans.
According to the British tabloid The Daily Mirror, Whittaker’s time as a Doctor is supposedly coming to an end. Sources close to the program told the newspaper that Whittaker plans to leave Doctor who after season 13, which is currently in production. “It’s all very secret,“an insider said The Daily Mirror, “but it is known on the set that Jodie is leaving and they are preparing for a regeneration. His departure is top secret, but at some point in the coming months the arrival of the 14th Doctor will need to be filmed. It is very exciting.“According to the tabloid, other sources say Whittaker is eager to take on other roles. Showrunner Chris Chibnall must remain.
O Daily mirror is a British tabloid, so it’s not the most reliable source, but it has a history of Doctor who spoons; moreover, when contacted by Digital Spy, the BBC declined to comment, suggesting that this report may be accurate. Whittaker’s departure after Doctor who season 13 would be strangely appropriate, because it would be coming out after three seasons on paper – and that is quite traditional. Second Doctor Patrick Troughton left after three seasons and advised Fifth Doctor Peter Davison to do the same; the so-called “three season rule” was also followed by Matt Smith and Peter Capaldi. Even David Tennant has only had three seasons, although technically his management has been extended by a series of specials.
It would be a shame to see Whittaker go. Although she is a talented actress, recent scripts have left a lot to be desired, and she hasn’t had many opportunities to demonstrate her skills. The recent Doctor who The Vacation Special was a welcome change, because there she was able to portray the Doctor as emotionally wounded due to the shock of knowing that his entire identity is a lie. Without a doubt, showrunner Chris Chibnall intends Doctor who season 13 to build on the retcon Timeless Child, even though it has been reduced to just eight episodes in length due to the disruption caused by the coronavirus pandemic. If the Daily mirrorthe account is correct, so the next few months will keep Doctor who fans busy speculating on who will be Whittaker’s successor as the Fourteenth Doctor.
Source: Daily Mirror
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