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Jodie Whittaker to leave Doctor Who

Jodie Whittaker will bow out of Doctor Who after a new six-episode series later this year.

Jodie Whittaker will bow out of Doctor Who after a new six-episode series later this year. Photo: AAP

Jodie Whittaker, the first woman to take on the lead role in the sci-fi series Doctor Who, will be leaving the television show in 2022, the BBC says.

The British actress has portrayed The Doctor – a shape-shifting alien Time Lord played by men since the show first appeared on British television screens in 1963 – since 2017.

The 39-year-old, who described the role as “the best job I have ever had,” will feature in a six-part Event Serial in the northern hemisphere autumn as well as in three specials planned for 2022.

Showrunner Chris Chibnall will also leave the production in 2022.

“In 2017 I opened my glorious gift box of size 13 shoes. I could not have guessed the brilliant adventures, worlds and wonders I was to see in them,” Whittaker said in a statement.

“My heart is so full of love for this show, for the team who make it, for the fans who watch it and for what it has brought to my life… I don’t think I’ll ever be able to express what this role has given me. I will carry the Doctor and the lessons I’ve learnt forever.”

Whittaker played the show’s 13th Doctor, a casting that sparked online debate when first announced.

In 2022, she was voted the show’s second most popular Doctor in a poll for listings magazine Radio Times.

Actor David Tennant came first.

Who will take over the role from Whittaker has yet to be announced.

-AAP

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