‘Doctor Who’: When Will Next Doctor Be Announced After Jodie Whittaker’s Exit?
We’re officially entering the final Doctor Who episodes with Jodie Whittaker as lead, with the first of three specials airing on January 1, 2022. And while we have until fall 2022 before the Doctor regenerates, we’re, of course, wondering who will be taking over as the alien.
Whittaker has shared her pick on Radio 1’s Going Home with Vick and Jordan (via EW): It’s a Sin‘s Lydia West. But, as Russell T. Davies, returning and taking over as showrunner when Chris Chibnall leaves at the same time as Whittaker, told The Guardian recently, “we have genuinely not cast anyone yet. We’re just starting auditions.” He also shared that “the first [episode] will go out in November 2023 — that’s the 60th anniversary of the show,” meaning there’s quite a bit of time before we see the new Doctor full time.
But when could we possibly get an announcement? Let’s take a look at when we got the previous ones, starting with Christopher Eccleston, who came in as the Ninth Doctor in 2005. In 2005, we learned he was leaving on March 30, his last episode aired June 18, David Tennant was cast as the Tenth Doctor on April 16. Tennant’s exit was announced on October 29, 2008, his last episode aired on January 1, 2010, and Matt Smith was announced as Eleven on January 3, 2009.
In 2013, we learned Smith was leaving on June 1, his last episode aired on December 25, and Peter Capaldi was announced as the Twelfth Doctor on August 4. Then in 2017, Capaldi’s exit was announced on January 30, his last episode aired on December 25, and Whittaker’s casting came on July 16.
And now we have Whittaker, whose exit was confirmed on July 29, 2021. Given Davies’ aforementioned comments about casting, it’s unlikely we’ll hear anything at the beginning of 2022 (as happened with Smith). With the timing of her last episode, chances are we’re more likely to hear something more in line with Capaldi and Whittaker’s casting announcements, in summer 2022.
Doctor Who, “Eve of the Daleks” Premiere, January 1, 2022, 8/7c, BBC America
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I don't blame this on Whittaker, it was Chibnall who screwed up this Doctor.
I would have liked to have seen her with a different show runner.
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I have been waiting three years for a new writer and Doctor. I have tried to watch a full episode and have failed. Bad acting along with some very bad shoreliness. Let's get back to traditional. I watched for all of my life. Please bring back the doctor.
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I think Jodie Whittaker got a very raw deal. The current writer(s?) clearly never got the concept that the Doctor is supposed to be a pacifist and abhorred by the idea of life lost.
That's the point of the sonic screwdriver being a screwdriver: it's a tool. Not a magic wand, and CERTAINLY not a weapon. It's a screwdriver, dangit. Not a 'sonic'.
With the storyteller not knowing the characters they're supposed to be writing, it's no wonder this current run is so dreadful.
It's not Jodie's fault. I for one can't wait until Russel T. Davies comes back.
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The writing for Whittaker was horrible. The Doctor never seemed to be the main character, she wasn't the star of her own show. Chibnall is at fault for this.
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please a more retro story line, and yes a traditional he doctor.. jodie was made to play the fool with childish scripts, its as though the writers wanted her to be one of the lesser doctors, she is a much better actor than her scripts afforded her. AND BRING BACK CAPTAIN JACK, IN FACT SEND THE DOCTOR ON A HOLIDAY AND LEND JACK THE TARDIS
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Yes!!! Would love to see Captain Jack again!
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I like Jodie but the plot was hard to follow from the beginning. She has that quirkiness you'd expect from the Doctor. It was also necessary to shake things up, as the Doctor reached the 12th and "final" regeneration. But, the missing pieces became more of an annoyance than a mystery along the way to the end of her journey. Will the story pick up with the 14th Doctor or will Davies opt to reboot the franchise. Many questions. Diversity is fine but it needs to be right and feel right and not just diversity for the sake of diversity. Again, I liked Jodie. I just found the plot frustrating at times.
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exactly, it felt forced...like their focus was directed at shoving diversity down our throats, not natural at all...funny thing is, "Doctor Who" has alllllways been able to make us think diversely in a natural way as the story unfolds, it opens our minds and hearts, until now...and that is in no way Jodie's fault, she took on the role and became as much the doctor as her writing allowed..in this run the episodes were focused on diversity instead of the actual story lines, so the story felt like an after thought constantly..whereas Doctor Who is normally so amazing because the stories are so well written that they force u to see important messages and diversity without even necessarily realizing it, it happens organically because of the beautifully written storylines that do actually follow a bigger picture (half the time, as sometimes they throw in cute random episodes which are fun and also essential, but those are also lacking this run), but you don't usually notice there's a bigger picture until the end as it comes together in a beautiful way and you feel like you've gotten a gift, unlike Jodie's run where it's all about bigger pictures in every episode and diversity just piled on until it's no longer fun. Jodie brought her character to life as much as she possibly could, so good on her for that, but she was robbed by writers that so obviously didn't understand the mechanics of the Doctor and how to keep it at the core while freshening it up a bit, they failed her.
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Rumour is it they are bringing back Tennant for a few episodes(maybe 4) to remove the timeless child rubbish and course correct since Whitaker set a new record for fewest viewers! Remember "i don't want to go" and "you will revisit some old faces" they are going to use that cannon to remove this whole failed experiment
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I’ve been a big fan since Matt Smith. I have binged all the Dr. Who’s back to the mid 80’s. Honestly, I have been very disappointed in the complete turnaround on the last 3 seasons of the female Dr Who’s (Jodi, wonderful actress) lack of concentration on saving lives and instead seems to be confused more often for whatever reason the writers dictate. If the doctor is a time lord then why does time confuse her? The Dr. Who I came to love, although didn’t always have the answers, at least they weren’t confused about how to go forward. Terrible job on the writers part. I wonder if they ever really watched previous seasons. Doesn’t seem like they knew the doctor I came to know. So sad.
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Time for a male Doctor Who. This nonsense that Time Lords can regenerate into different sexes is utter tripe. Its not keeping with the true spirit of the original story
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I personally cannot wait for all those rubbish to be over, I have watched Dr Who all my life, then a Sadly we got Jodie. We stopped watching the show after until the eve of the daleks, to my great disappointment she didn’t regenerate!
Please for the love of monkey nuts! Bring back a Dr true to live up to the title. Thanks
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I've been watching Doctor Who a long time. David Tennant and Matt Smith were easily the best embodiments of what the Dr. is. The most recent Dr. and episodes were too forced and politically correct. We have enough of that everywhere else. This is a science fiction classic, I hope they get back to that concept soon. or the show may fade away as it did in the 1980's.
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I am an American and have recently binged on all the newest Dr. Who shows but did not grow up watching as many here have. David, Matt, Peter and Chris all brought what I guess may be described as the "Essence of the Doctor" to the viewing public. I believe this was attained by brilliant acting and an easier to follow storyline. To Jodie's credit, she has had to overcome the tradition that the Doctor has always been a male. I believe she is a wonderful actress in her own right but, because of less than stellar scripts and direction, she hasn't attained the "Essense" the previous Doctors have. I wish Jodie a smashing career when her tenure as the Doctor ends and hope the next Doctor, whether male or female, has the scripts, directing and ability to restore what being the Doctor has become previously.
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Jodie did a great job as the doctor. Would love to see her with a few more stand alone episodes rather than these confusing season long stories. Will be sad when she regenerates.
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I'm from the US (Texas). I've been watching Dr Who since Tom Baker in the 1980s. I think I would have liked the last 3 seasons better if I could better understand what Jodie was saying. She spoke very quickly, sometimes mumbled, and has a thick accent. I know, a Texan has a thick accent too but I'm not acting in a show with an international audience. The writers also seem to see just how many words of dialog they can cram into one episode. I'm ready for a new show runner who respects the backstory of the Doctor. Chibnall seemed determined from the start to turn the history of the doctor into something else. Oh, and remember when he said there would be all new monsters and no Daleks, Cybermen, etc?
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Chris Marshall would be a brilliant fit for the role
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I think Thomas Sangster could be good doctor he's at the right age to be known by younger and older generations and he's pretty decent actor
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I can't finish a single episode with Jodie. She's awful and the show is awful now. No more Jodie. From the moment she became the Doctor I was done with it all, even though I'm a massive fan of the show and have watched it all my life. Now I can't make it to the end of a single episode because of her and her terrible acting. Please, please, PLEASE bring back the traditional Doctor. We need another Matt Smith or David Tennant.
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Dr Who is a timelord. Well, do something you've never done and bring a past doctor back.
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they have had previous doctors back on the show three that i can think of tom baker, david tennant and paul mcgann might only been in one off episodes but their in there
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So from the beginning to now the only casting change that worked was the Master as Missy they nailed it. Victorian wardrobe her build and her over all look was awesome she looked the part of the original Master As for the doctors regeneration it was a fail from the first breath she just didn’t pull off the doctor look. Shame too better wardrobe and script. She was scripted Very Un Doctor who. You know it was deliberate. How could they Nail the master and Screw up the doctor. Laughing in a 60 + year old fan. Love the BBC shows. Doctor Who even when it was a little to no budget show it held your attention. Waiting to see what the hell he was gonna pull out of his hat to save the world and it his ass. Just my opinion Thanks. Ya
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I’ve read so many comments I don’t agree with. Apposed to popular belief I love the 13th doctor and her seasons. While I have to agree that it was slow to get into and started out a little rocky, some time through season 12 I believe the show really found itself. I have watched all the seasons from 2005 onwards. I have always hated the change of all the doctors. I fall in love and then they change and I’m left feeling almost hurt at the loss of a brilliant individual rendition of a character. In time though I absolutely fall in love all over again with each new representation of the doctor. This season was no different. I struggled at first but like the other times I have fallen in love. This time it took a little longer as the writing was a little slow and didn’t offer as much as early as the previous seasons. However it really found itself and I was sitting on the edge of my seat. Progression is good and change is good. The show started in 2005 and we are now in 2022. I think they evolved the show while still keeping true to its values. I can’t wait to see where it goes from here and I hope the show keeps going for many more years!! I know most people won’t agree with me but I had to be the voice for those who love the new seasons! I’m not here to argue, I’m just voicing my feelings and thoughts. I love Jodi and the 13th doctor. Is she my favourite no but I’ll always love David most. Thank goodness for doctor who and I can’t wait to see what happens next!
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robert carlye wood be a good doctor or even dougary scott
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A friend of mine thought the problem with Jody as the Doctor, was NOT Jody, but the lousy scripts she had to deal with.
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Look at Russell T Davies previous works. Not going to be hard to guess what will get.
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Christopher left due to 'conflict with producers and show runner'. Jodie Whittaker has suffered from terrible scripts from the start. Only good thing from her time was Bradley Walsh (excellent) and John Bishop (underused). Would try something totally different, have Jodie regenetate into John Bishop's body. Have him as being a former doctor who was stripped of his memories and timelord DNA, but the regeneration energy recognises him as THE DOCTOR
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Cannot complain about the accent, have had to deal with american accents for years. Obviously you are not aware that the daleks have to be in at least one episide per series. That is due to a rights issue, should BBC not uphold that agreement they lose rights to use the 'Dalek characters'
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THAT WOULD BE AMAZING!!! Tennant was my all time favorite, to have him back, even for a short period would be magical, and would finally bring the curator's future prediction to full fruition, a piece that has been missing for YEARS, it would be perfect!! Tho, I just recently read that it will probably be Fady Elsayed to replace the Doctor...hopefully tho they do have Tennant back first at least, even if it is only for a few episodes!!
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I don't understand why they made us wait so long and then offer us a 6-episode series. Peter C., Mike. S., and David. T., provided full seasons of the show. In addition, we got more of Peter C.'s Doctor when he appeared with Bill P. in a stand-alone 1-season series dealing with the supernatural. Now, we get a few episodes and a couple of specials....after a year+ - long wait.
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Hear me out, Harry Melling. He's certainly got the look, and his acting has taken leaps and bounds since Harry Potter (It was even good back then). Not to mention it's hard to ignore his relation to Troughton.
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I suspect the announcement will come when the actor is ready. Imagine if she has been busy and finished filming her other show only few months ago.
Give her some time to relax, people.
Also whoever that actress is 😉 not giving her a Christmas episode before the 60th special is quite unfair.
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Right. You're acting as if you know who she is. Didn't Davies say that he's still looking for The Doctor?
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Excuse me?
First of all, I said "whoever that actress is" which means I have no slightest idea who she might be. I don't even know where she's from. Perhaps she went to Gloucester or from Yorkshire or likes diving a lot 😪 Could be anybody.
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How oddly specific. The Yorkshire lady went to Gloucester in a shower of rain or was it someone else I don't remember. hahah
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The rhyme says: doctor Foster went to Gloucester in a shower of rain.
But what it has to do with Doccy Who I don't know!
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But what it has to do with Doccy Who I don't know!Neither do I! I have to admit, though, I like Owen's "The Yorkshire lady went to Gloucester" more than original 😂 Sounds kinda Sexy 😉
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I think David Ajala should be the next Doctor !! 🏥
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Kinda hope they don't announce it until the credits after the regeneration scene.
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Can we just leave the doctor alone since diversity and inclusion has destroyed the original continuity and has made the worst doctor to have ever failed at a doctor impression so far. Let him rest and wait a couple of years to start over so we can forget this rubbish. Finally if the next doctor is another diversity hire i wish you luck cuz you didn't need skill to get there lol
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I want David Tennant to come back or some actor like him he was brilliant as the doctor I hope it's a man playing the doctor as to be honest the woman who played the doctor wasn't good so I hope they have a new doctor like David Tennant or matt Smith both played the doctor brilliantly I stopped watching doctor who when the woman doctor took over as it wasn't the doctor anymore not the best actoring came over annoying so I stopped watching so take it back to a man doctor and I will be watching doctor who again
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It was the show runner who ruined the woman doctor, not the actress.
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I want a morbidly obese Doctor in wheelchair.
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They already diversified with Jo Martin and the Fugitive Doctor LOL. I know everyone's pushing for Lydia West to be the next Doctor. I'd like to see a white man back in the role.
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I had a hard time with Ms Whitaker. I have been watching the marathon lead up to her finale this past week, and 'she' finally made some sense. But her interpretation was missing that 'something' I had seen in Tennant, Smith and Christopher Eccleston (still don't understand why he was limited to one year, he was great). I can afford to wait until next year; after all, I have waited for Ms Whitaker's take to run its course for 3 years. It is interesting that the media said there was no backlash for a female Dr. but all my Dr Who friends have never accepted her or watched the show these past three years. So who does one believe?
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I think the Doctor should be a man again. He always was and should be a man.
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I offen thought the Dr should be a male, it just seen like a role for a mad. Like how only women can do Loose women, you can't have a man talking about wemon's problems, usually the man is the problem
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What are you know you're a woman
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It's a giiiiirl
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I thought she was brilliant. When she leaves, I will stop watching.
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Let's hope they continue to diversify the Doctor's regenerations. I've been rooting for Colin Salmon since the day Dr. Moon showed up in the Library.
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I like your choice and I love Colin Salmon.
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