Jodie Whittaker on her final Doctor Who show: “It’s one for the Whovians”
Although there has been a lot of talk of the incoming Doctor Ncuti Gatwa in recent months, and continuous excitement around the 60th-anniversary specials that will see the likes of David Tennant and Catherine Tate return to the series in 2023 – it’s sometimes easy to forget that there is one more episode of the Jodie Whittaker era left to play out … and it’s not far off now!
But what can we expect from the The Power of the Doctor, a special episode the BBC has commissioned to celebrate its 100th birthday, and the last to be overseen by outgoing showrunner for the science fiction series, Chris Chibnall?
“It’s one for the Whovians,” Jodie Whittaker told Empire magazine, when asked about the upcoming 90-minute special.
She added: “It’s a huge treat if you’re a proper fan. It’s got all the iconic things that you associate with Doctor Who. It’s massive.”
We already know that the episode will see the return of a number of old companions and foes of the Doctor, including Janet Fielding and Sophie Aldred as Tegan and Ace respectively, as well as Sacha Dhawan as The Master, and both the Daleks and a revamped looking set of Cybermen. Yep, it looks like it’s going to be quite the battle!
- Check out Screen OD on YouTube
- 13 Doctor Who quotes to inspire you
What is more, this is an episode that is going to build up to the end of an era, and the beginning of another one – and that can only mean one thing in Doctor Who terms, a regeneration.
“I love the dialogue Chris wrote for my regeneration,” said Whittaker.
Added Whittaker: “It captures my Doctor beautifully. It’s simple, epic and beautiful.”
Apparently, Jodie Whittaker performed the entire regeneration scene in one take, and it was a very emotional affair – especially once it was finished and in the can.
“When I could see the crew was happy with that last shot, that’s when my bottom lip started going,” she said. “I was like, ‘Well, they can’t say they need another take now because I’ve fucking lost it!’”
The BBC Centenary special will be broadcast in October on BBC1 in the UK and will likely be available globally.
It will be followed by the 60th anniversary special of Doctor Who in 2023, which is looking likely to be made up of three episodes, which will in turn lead into the first full series of Doctor Who with Ncuti Gatwa at the helm of the TARDIS. There are few details so far about season 14 of Doctor Who but it is expected the show may begin filming in November.
- Looking for some entertainment? Have you tried our general knowledge quiz questions and answers yet?
- Want to supercharge your streaming? Take a look at our guide to Netflix secret codes for TV and movie fans
- Love TV and movies? Try Screen OD on YouTube...
