Jodie Whittaker and Chris Chibnall Will Depart 'Doctor Who' in 2022

It's the end of an era (again!) on Doctor Who. The BBC has confirmed that Thirteenth Doctor Jodie Whittaker will be departing the TARDIS in 2022 after a three-season run as the Time Lord. Showrunner Chris Chibnall, who joined the show alongside Whittaker in 2017, will also be leaving with her, setting the stage for a full turnover behind-the-scenes at the iconic sci-fi series.

On the plus side, we have quite a bit of Whittaker's run still ahead of us, with the promised Season 13 set to debut later in 2021 and a trio of specials planned for next year, which will culminate in a "blockbuster" episode planned to coincide with the BBC's centenary celebrations in Fall 2022.

“Jodie and I made a ‘three series and out’ pact with each other at the start of this once-in-a-lifetime blast. So now our shift is done, and we’re handing back the TARDIS keys," Chibnall said in a statement “Jodie’s magnificent, iconic Doctor has exceeded all our high expectations. She’s been the gold standard leading actor, shouldering the responsibility of being the first female Doctor with style, strength, warmth, generosity and humour. She captured the public imagination and continues to inspire adoration around the world, as well as from everyone on the production.   I can’t imagine working with a more inspiring Doctor – so I’m not going to!

“For me, leading this exceptional team has been unrivaled creative fun, and one of the great joys of my career. I’m so proud of the people we’ve worked with and the stories we’ve told. To finish our time on the show with an additional Special, after the pandemic changed and challenged our production plans, is a lovely bonus. It’s great that the climax of the Thirteenth Doctor’s story will be at the heart(s) of the BBC’s centenary celebrations. I wish our successors - whoever the BBC and BBC Studios choose - as much fun as we’ve had. They’re in for a treat!”