The Conversation (0)
Kate Plummer
Jul 29, 2021
Jodie Whittaker attends a Doctor Who screening and Q&A at the Paley Center for Media on 5 January 2020 in New York City
Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images for BBCAmerica
Jodie Whittaker is standing down from her lead role in Doctor Who, she has confirmed.
The actor will leave the show in Autumn 2022, alongside showrunner Chris Chibnall, having starred as the first female Doctor since 2017.
In a statement she 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. 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.
“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.
Reacting to her departure announcement, fans celebrated her tenure, expressing how grateful they were to her for her representation of the character and how sad they were to see her leave:
Thank you, Jodie Whittaker for firmly becoming *my* Doctor. And there is still plenty more to see and do before you… https://t.co/esMbW5HHbv— Jeff's Beef and Beans (@Jeff's Beef and Beans) 1627568430
jodie whittaker i love you https://t.co/mQhukQRI5G— val (@val) 1627568688
thank you jodie whittaker, for being the doctor <3 https://t.co/xiUbLem4nR— serena ☽ jodie and mandip stan (@serena ☽ jodie and mandip stan) 1627568592
jodie whittaker is a gem and i’m so so glad we’ve had her as the doctor, she truly is wonderful https://t.co/NRQ52iQbZS— serena ☽ jodie and mandip stan (@serena ☽ jodie and mandip stan) 1627568275
i reckon we should all chip in and buy jodie whittaker a GIANT polo shirt, and we can all sign it like at the end o… https://t.co/wpw6gcKhzq— love & monsters stan account is dead (@love & monsters stan account is dead) 1627568750
Others wanted to know who the next Doctor will be:
I’ve been trying to decide who I’d like the new showrunner to be, and now all I can picture is a @TaikaWaititi seas… https://t.co/CCDANYXPev— Kristen Harris (@Kristen Harris) 1627569366
Now the horrific gulf of time between one going and WHO THE NEXT DOCTOR IS…like…this is crucial.— Jacob✨ (@Jacob✨) 1627568935
An end of an era.