Doctor Who to Skip Most of 2019
After a tumultuous reaction, it’s safe to say Jodie Whittaker is a star in Doctor Who. The actress, the 13th Doctor and the first woman to play the part, has been a ratings and critical success. The current season has been a gamble by the BBC, and it has paid off in spades. While Doctor Who tends to have a Christmas special, the show will be skipping that this year. Instead, the venerable BBC sci-fi show will have a special on New Year’s Day.
However, that will be the only Doctor Who for 2019. The series will be going on sabbatical, with plans to roar back in 2020.
Showrunner Statement: Will it Alleviate Fears?
Current showrunner Chris Chibnall, who took over from longtime runner Steven Moffat, issued a statement:
“We’re off again! Well we never actually stopped – as Jodie Whittaker’s Doctor and friends have been winning the hearts of families across the nation this autumn, we’ve been busy with a whole new set of action packed adventures for the Thirteenth Doctor. We adore making this show and have been blown away by the response from audiences, so we can’t wait to bring more scares, more monsters and more Bradley Walsh, Mandip Gill and Tosin Cole to BBC One. Brilliant!”
However, fans are a bit more concerned. For the show to go off the air for a year plus can cause interest to fade. Plus given the initial toxic reaction to Whittaker, it will give her more negative critics ammo to use against her and Chibnall.
However, filming is set to begin early next year, with Whittaker stating to THR:
“I really can’t wait to step back in and get to work again. It’s such an incredible role. It’s been an extraordinary journey so far and I’m not quite ready to hand it over yet.”
Until then, fans can likely deal with 50 plus years of past episodes and specials to scratch their Who itch.
