Doctor Who: Jodie Whittaker’s Regeneration Episode is Epic, Says Producer

Doctor Who‘s producer has said Jodie Whittaker’s regeneration episode will be “epic”. With the most recent season, Doctor Who: Flux, ending in December 2021, the 2022 specials kicked off on New Year’s Day with “Eve of the Daleks”. The second special, which sees the return of classic series monsters in “Legend of the Sea Devils”, was recently confirmed to be broadcast this Easter. The third and final special has not yet received an air date, but is expected to be broadcast as part of the BBC’s centenary celebrations: commemorating 100 years since the broadcaster’s inception.

The final special, which has also not yet received a title, will be Jodie Whittaker’s last outing as the Doctor. Whittaker, who plays the 13th incarnation of the Time Lord, revealed last year that she was handing back the TARDIS keys and leaving the role. The first woman to play the part, Whittaker’s performance has been met with acclaim from fans and critics, while some of the storylines during her tenure on Doctor Who have received criticism. Whittaker will depart after having held the role for three seasons and a set of specials, the same as the 10th Doctor, David Tennant. Due to the reduced number of episodes per series since season 11, however, Whittaker will be the shortest-serving Doctor since the 2005 revival.

Reported by Digital Spy, Doctor Who‘s executive producer Matt Strevens teased an “epic” farewell for Whittaker’s 13th Doctor. Speaking to Doctor Who Magazine, Strevens, who is also departing the show at the end of the 2022 specials, said that the specials’ final story was a “massive, feature-length epic“. Big on scale, but big on emotion too, with Strevens confident that Whittaker receives a “really good send-off“, guaranteed to “push everyone’s buttons“. Read the full quote below:

“The final story is a massive, feature-length epic – it was huge to shoot – with lots of surprises for fans of all ages. Jodie gets a really good send-off. I think it will push everybody’s buttons.”

Regeneration, where the Doctor changes their appearance and personality when mortally wounded, is a built-in reboot switch that helps to keep Doctor Who fresh. Typically an emotional episode as the current Doctor ‘dies’, making sure Whittaker receives an “epic” exit – not least as the first woman to play the role – seems more than a fitting send-off. While viewers will have to wait until the end of the year to see whether the promised scale and surprises are satisfying, Whittaker has revealed how she felt shooting her regeneration scene, claiming it was the most emotional day she had on the show. The director of the final episode, Jamie Magnus Stone, confirmed that the final day was full of bittersweet emotions for all the cast and crew.

While regeneration episodes are emotional for those making and viewing the show, what comes next can be equally as thrilling. Departing alongside Whittaker after the last 2022 special is showrunner Chris Chibnall and the production team, including executive producer Strevens. Having revived the show in 2005, Russell T. Davies is returning as showrunner for 2023 and beyond, recently explaining why he decided to return for Doctor Who season 14. Though the casting of the new Doctor has yet to be announced, Strevens comments suggest we have much still to look forward to in Whittaker’s final episodes.

Source: Digital Spy