Jodie Whittaker is due to leave Doctor Who in a series of specials later this year, and the show's executive producer promises that she will have a worthy exit.
As well as Whittaker, showrunner Chris Chibnall and executive producer Matt Strevens will also be leaving the show. Strevens spoke to Doctor Who Magazine about the Thirteenth Doctor's last journey, saying, "The final story is a massive, feature-length epic – it was huge to shoot – with lots of surprises for fans of all ages. Jodie gets a really good send-off. I think it will push everybody's buttons."
The idea of Whittaker's departure being told over three specials came from the BBC and was suggested as part of the broadcaster's centenary celebrations. "When they approached Chris [Chibnall], saying: 'We'd love you to do one more – we know the production schedule's really tight, but what do you think about doing a special for the centenary of the BBC?', it was a no-brainer," Strevens explained.
With a Doctor due to depart soon, all eyes naturally turn to who will be the next person to step into the TARDIS as the Fourteenth Doctor. The identity of the next Time Lord has yet to be revealed and according to Strevens, Whittaker is just as eager to see her successor as the fans of the show. "Jodie's also very excited about who the next incumbent of the TARDIS is," he said. "There's that great thing, I think, of being able to hand the baton on. That's lovely for each actor who plays the part – you're a custodian and, like all of us who make the show, you want to make sure you've left it in a good enough place to continue. It meant a lot to Jodie to know that she would regenerate – it's lovely to pass that on."
Although the next Doctor is unknown, it's been confirmed that Russell T. Davies will be returning as showrunner. Davies was in charge of the show when it returned in 2005 and stayed for four full seasons and a series of specials, before exiting alongside Tenth Doctor David Tennant.
Russell says he returned to the show because of its ability to constantly feel new. "I wouldn't go back if it wasn't feeling new. But that's the thing about Doctor Who – every episode is new," he said. "It's a self-renewing show."
The Doctor Who special "Legend of the Sea Devils" airs this spring on BBC One (UK) and BBC America.
Source: Doctor Who Magazine, via Digital Spy