Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Doctor Who series 11 with Jodie Whittaker 'won't launch until late 2018'

Peter Capaldi will have his last outing as the Doctor in this year's Christmas special, 'Twice Upon a Time'

Clarisse Loughrey
Tuesday 01 August 2017 09:56 BST
Comments
Jodie Whittaker announced as new Doctor Who

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

There may have been excitement aplenty (and some of the usual misogynistic whining) about Jodie Whittaker's announcement as the next Doctor, but don't get too hyped.

You'll have to wait a fair while until her iteration of the classic character actually hits screens; though she'll make her initial debut in the closing moments of this year's Christmas special, series 11 isn't set to debut until late 2018.

The new series will see some other major changes, too. Broadchurch writer/creator Chris Chibnall will replace Steven Moffat, who hinted at a possible series 11 premiere date in Doctor Who Magazine (via Digital Spy).

Explaining that he stayed with the Doctor Who team until the Christmas 2017 special to ensure Chibnall's availability, he added: "The alternative might have been to have had no Doctor Who at all between Christmas 2015 and the autumn of 2018."

Of course, it won't be 100% official until it comes straight from the BBC itself, but it's not the first time this air date, in particular, has been floated around.

Doctor Who Christmas Special Trailer

Series 11 will also see the introduction of a new companion, since Pearl Mackie has confirmed she won't return as Bill Potts for the new series.

The Christmas special, 'Twice Upon a Time', will see Capaldi's last outing as the Doctor.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in