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Doctor Who says goodbye to Jodie Whittaker as the Timelord: maybe hello to Regé-Jean Page? (news).

It seems like 2021 will be a time of change for science fiction TV series Doctor Who. Not only is the Doctor getting a new assistant in the form of comedian-actor John Bishop, but she is also getting a new face, as actress Jodie Whittaker has said it is time for her to stand down from the TARDIS and pursue other acting roles – so series 13 will now sadly be her last one.

And Who is in the frame as the new Doc?

Step forward British-Zimbabwean actor Regé-Jean Page, who has recently been setting hearts a-flutter in the Netflix Regency-period drama hit Bridgerton. The BBC is now quietly keen for Regé-Jean to step into the TARDIS and make it his own, but the two main stumbling blocks to moving forward are (a) the folding green stuff – since Bridgerton, the actor’s star purchasing power has risen to Hollywood levels and (b) Regé-Jean’s contractual commitments to future series of Bridgerton.

The Bridgerton scheduling issue might not be too bad, as the format of Julia Quinn’s novels was POV on a different character’s love affair in each book, and Simon and Daphne’s passion has been fully acquitted in series one (bonktastic), so the marriage market will next shift to The Viscount Who Loved Me, where Anthony Bridgerton has chosen a wife with his main obstacle to true love being his intended’s older sister, Kate Sheffield — said to be the most meddlesome woman ever to grace a London ballroom.

Basically, Regé-Jean will be wallpaper in series two of Bridgerton, leaving him lots of time to battle Daleks, unplug Cybermen, and beach Seadevils. But how much dosh will it take? Loosen your wallets, Beeb, he’s a great actor and well worth it. Other names the BEEB are seriously considering for the role are Michaela Coel (I May Destroy You) and Richard Ayoade (The IT Crowd).

The 13th series of Doctor Who began filming in November 2020 and might be out in 2021, or 2022 if things slide due to the pandemic.

The BBC is not officially commenting on Jodie’s departure, but John Bishop was happy to say, “If I could tell my younger self that one day I would be asked to step onboard the TARDIS, I would never have believed it. It’s an absolute dream come true to be joining Doctor Who and I couldn’t wish for better company than Jodie and Mandip.”

Not sure if John Barrowman will feature again in the next series as the Cap’n, but he noted, “Captain Jack is a little older. He’s still fun. He still very much has a joie de vivre, a lust for life and a passion for saving people and humanity, as does the Doctor. You can expect cheeky lines. You can expect a couple of… shall we say a few sparks between he and somebody. He plays along with to wind that person up. Jack always seems to find somebody who has a heart and Jack then has a lovely chat with…”

Doctor Who says goodbye to Jodie Whittaker as the Timelord: maybe hello to Regé-Jean Page? (news).
Doctor Who says goodbye to Jodie Whittaker as the Timelord: maybe hello to Regé-Jean Page? (news).

ColonelFrog

Colonel Frog is a long time science fiction and fantasy fan. He loves reading novels in the field, and he also enjoys watching movies (as well as reading lots of other genre books).

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