Yesterday, the BBC finally announced who will be taking on the role of The Doctor once Peter Capaldi departs “Doctor Who” during this year’s Christmas special. The honor goes to Jodie Whittaker, marking the first time that a woman has had the role during the property’s 54 year history. Whittaker will make her first appearance in the 2017 Christmas special, ahead of her first full season debut in 2018. As she takes on the part, she joins a long and esteemed line of actors that includes William Hartnell, Jon Pertwee, Tom Baker, David Tennant, Matt Smith, and John Hurt.
Whittaker is likely best known for her work on “Broadchurch” during its first season, as well as a leading role in Joe Cornish’s sci-fi action thriller Attack the Block. She has also appeared in “Black Mirror“, “Tess of the D’Urbervilles”, “Return to Cranford”, Black Sea, One Day, Get Santa, and the St. Trinian’s films. Her look in the role has not yet been set, but they certainly have plenty of time to figure it out.
Also exiting the series this year is showrunner Steven Moffat (“Sherlock“). Moffat has been a part of the writing staff since the revival series began in 2005 and he’s been its showrunner since 2009. He is currently developing a series with frequent collaborator Mark Gatiss based on the novel Dracula by Bram Stoker.
Speaking of the aforementioned “Broadchurch“, its creator Chris Chibnail is the one replacing Moffat as showrunner on “Doctor Who“. Chibnail also created the short-lived series “Camelot” and he wrote various episodes of “Doctor Who“, as well as its spin-off series, “Torchwood“. The first Chibnail/Whittaker season is currently expected to arrive in the latter half of 2018.
