It’s being reported that Jodie Whittaker will be leaving Doctor Who after the show’s upcoming season (or series for our UK friends). Whittaker, who became the long-running show’s first female Doctor when she took over for Peter Capaldi, has been playing the role for two seasons. The departure will follow the often-followed tradition of bowing out of the role after three seasons. An insider on the series reportedly told the Daily Mirror the following:
“Whittaker intends to leave Doctor Who after season 13, which is currently in production. “It’s all very hush-hush,” one insider told The Daily Mirror, “but it is known on set that Jodie is leaving and they 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.”
Whittaker’s casting was controversial with “traditionalists” upset that the role was going to a female, despite the fact that it was well established on the series that a Time Lord can regenerate as either male or female. Companions Graham and Ryan (Bradley Walsh and Tosin Cole respectively) left the series after the recent Christmas special. There is no word as to when the next season will air, as COVID affecting production. The BBC recently stated it will likely be in the later part of 2021.