Doctor Who star Jodie Whittaker's replacement may be revealed sooner than expected.
Whittaker's time as the Doctor is coming to an end and, according to the BBC, the 14th Doctor will be revealed in "the coming weeks," though a specific date was not provided. It was also revealed that two former Doctor Who companions, Tegan and Ace, will return for Whittaker's final episodes as the 13th Doctor.
Janet Fielding portrayed companion Tegan Jovanka from 1981 to 1984 for the fourth and fifth Doctors, played by Tom Baker and Peter Davison. "In some ways, it was a very different experience to what it was like when I finished recording in 1983, but in many ways, it was very similar," Fielding said about her return. "It was so lovely to be a working member of the Doctor Who family again."
Sophie Aldred, who played Ace from 1987 to 1989 with Sylvester McCoy as the seventh Doctor, will return as well. "It's been quite a challenge to have such a big secret to keep, even from my family, and I couldn't be more thrilled and excited to have been asked back," she said. "I hope everyone enjoys it as much as I adored being part of the TARDIS team again."
Whittaker premiered as the 13th Doctor, and the first woman to play the role, in 2018. She and showrunner Chris Chibnall, who also joined the series in 2018, announced in July 2021 that they would both hand over the keys to the TARDIS with a trio of specials airing in fall 2022. Chibnall said in a statement that he and Whittaker "made a 'three series and out' pact with each other at the start of this once-in-a-lifetime blast."
"In 2017 I opened my glorious gift box of size 13 shoes," Whittaker said upon the announcement of her departure. "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."
Following the exit of the 13th Doctor, Russel T. Davies will return to Doctor Who in 2023, taking over as showrunner for the show's 60th anniversary. Davies, who is credited with reviving BBC's cult, sci-fi drama in 2005, served as showrunner for four years before handing the reins over to Steven Moffat in 2009.
The first of the three Doctor Who specials, "Legend of the Sea Devils," aired on April 17. A release date for the remaining two has not been announced.
Source: BBC
