The Whovians are running the rumor mill, as some updates from the long-running time travel series, ‘Doctor Who,’ have been shared by sci-fi magazine, Starburst. The rumors are centered around the second series of Jodie Whittaker’s time as the Doctor, which is in pre-production.
The first rumor comes from a BBC source saying that the 12th season will not be delayed until 2020, as was earlier reported. They state the series will air in 2019. The magazine writes:
“The BBC was happy to go on the record about the programme’s short-term future. There had been a lot of chatter about Jodie Whittaker’s second run in Series 12 being planned for a broadcast in the spring of 2020, rather than in the autumn of 2019 as everyone had originally assumed. This is not true. We were told that Series 12 went into production this week, and that it will definitely be broadcast next year, as part of the autumn 2019 TV schedule.”
The second, and most upsetting rumor, deals with the future plans for Whittaker and showrunner Chris Chibnall. The magazine addresses the issue, saying:
“… new showrunner Chris Chibnall hasn’t been happy behind the scenes, and is set to quit after Series 12. We can only speculate as to his possible reasons – if indeed the story is true – but Chibnall told us quite firmly in January 2013 that he didn’t want the showrunner job, and it’s possible after the success of ‘Broadchurch’ that the BBC pursued him for it against his better wishes. Or simply that he changed his mind.”
They continued, saying:
“Either way, if there is any truth to this rumour then it’s also been said that Jodie Whittaker would not want to continue on as the Doctor without Chibnall at the helm, and would leave at the same time as he did.”
To further fuel the rumor fire, a fansite called Outpost Skaro has alleged that there will only be five or six episodes in Season 12, ending in a Christmas special. This is apparently the result of the BBC demands for one series per year. Chibnall allegedly compromised with a shorter run, saying a “full series-a-year is unsustainable”.
The site supported the claims made by Starburst Magazine, saying Whittaker would exit with Chibnall saying:
“A series-a-year will be too much for the young mum so is likely to hand over the keys to the TARDIS, as is tradition, next Christmas.”
Don’t panic yet, ‘Who’ fans! Nothing has been confirmed by the BBC, Whittaker, or Chibnall. So take these rumors for what they are, just hearsay!
‘Doctor Who’ airs Sunday on BBC America.
