Ahead of the Season 11 finale of the longrunning British sci-fi series Doctor Who, new star Jodie Whittaker has confirmed she will return to reprise her titular role for next year's twelfth season.
While Whittaker was certainly not expected to be replaced after her first season, there have been notably brief stints by actors as the eponymous Time Lord. Paul McGann had appeared as The Doctor in a one-off television special before the franchise went on a lengthy hiatus, reprising the role over a decade later for an online short film. Christopher Eccleston, whose Doctor began the modern era of the series in 2005, only appeared for one season while William Hurt only ever portrayed the War Doctor in guest star appearances and the 50th anniversary special.
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"I really can’t wait to step back in and get to work again," declared Whittaker in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter. "It’s such an incredible role. It's been an extraordinary journey so far and I'm not quite ready to hand it over yet."
Whittaker is the first female incarnation of the iconic British character with her full debut in the Season 11 premiere being the most watched episode of the modern era of the series. Principal photography on Season 12 is expected to begin sometime in early 2019.
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The current season of Doctor Who airs Sundays at 8 pm EST on BBC America in the United States and stars Jodie Whittaker as the latest iteration of the titular Time Lord. Whittaker is joined by co-stars Bradley Walsh, Tosin Cole, Mandip Gill in a season spearheaded by new series showrunner, Chris Chibnall.