The final episode of Season 11 of “Doctor Who” came to a close Sunday night. But fans still have a little something to look forward to as a New Year’s Day special will land in three weeks. But following the special, The Hollywood Reporter confirmed that Season 12 wouldn’t be hitting screens until 2020, giving the BBC hit show an unusual yearlong break.
“We’re off again! Well we never actually stopped,” showrunner Chris Chibnall said in a statement. “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 13th Doctor.”
When it was first announced that Jodie Whittaker would be stepping into the lead role, she made headlines for being the first female Time Lord.
In the U.K., the first episode of Season 11 drew the program’s biggest launch viewing figures, garnering10.9 million. Meanwhile, in the U.S., Whittaker’s first season garnered more viewers than those of former Doctors Matt Smith, David Tennant, and Christopher Eccleston. It even saw a 20 percent jump on the final season featuring Peter Capaldi.
Chibnall also confirmed that three of Whittaker’s companions (played by Bradley Walsh, Mandip Gil and Tosin Cole) would also be returning, saying: “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!”
By: Maytinee Kramer