The BBC announced that Jodie Whittaker, Doctor Who's star, and Chris Chibnall, showrunner, will be leaving the show next season. Whittakers' departure was expected since most of the Doctor actors have been with the BBC for only three seasons. However, Chibnall's departure is unexpected. Russell T. Davies, Steven Moffat and Steven Moffat were the previous showrunners. They both wrote for two distinct Doctors. The arrival of a new showrunner usually means stylistic changes to Doctor Who. It seems that the Doctors will see more change than they expected.AdvertisementWhittakers' regeneration is still far off. Chibnall teased that a new season will air later in the year. It will be big and exciting, but it will also ditch the monster of the week format. This will allow for more serialized storytelling. There will be three full-length Doctor Who specials, one at the beginning and another in the middle of 2022. The third, where Whittakers Thirteenth Doctor bids goodbye, will air closer to the end (which, according to a press release, will coincide with the BBCs centenary). We are still more than a year away from knowing who will replace Whittaker and Chibnall. However, Chibnall implied in his statement that he wouldn't have any input into who the new Doctor would be.Whittaker has always been genuinely excited to be zipping about in the TARDIS. In a statement, she also thanked those who work on the show as well as the fans for their support. In a very Doctor Who-like message about the future, she also said: I know that change can be frightening and no one knows what's out there. We keep searching. You can travel. You will be surprised by the universe. You will be surprised.
