The Bridport writer behind hit TV series Broadchurch has announced he will be leaving Doctor Who.

Having been in charge of the TARDIS since filming for the Thirteenth Doctor began in 2017, showrunner Chris Chibnall - along with the Thirteenth Doctor Jodie Whittaker - has confirmed he will be moving on from the show.

After taking the helm of the show, Mr Chibnall made the decision to cast Jodie Whitaker as the first female Doctor.

Under Mr Chibnall's tenure, the series has been awarded the Visionary Awards TV Show of the Year and the Canadian Rockie Award from the BANFF Television Festival for best sci-fi and genre series.

The 2020 series won Best Science Fiction Show voted for by readers at RadioTimes.com, as well as winning both Best Moment and Most Incredible Twist from the Digital Spy Reader Awards 2020 for 'Fugitive of the Judoon' and 'Ascension of the Cybermen'. In 2019, the entire cast and crew were awarded Honorary Doctorates by Sheffield Hallam University for their work on the show.

Mr Chibnall said: "Jodie and I made a 'three series and out' pact with each other at the start of this once-in-a-lifetime blast. So now our shift is done and we're handing back the TARDIS keys.

"Jodie's magnificent, iconic Doctor has exceeded all our high expectations. She's been the gold standard leading actor, shouldering the responsibility of being the first female Doctor with style, strength, warmth, generosity and humour. She captured the public imagination and continues to inspire adoration around the world, as well as from everyone on the production. I can't imagine working with a more inspiring Doctor - so I'm not going to!

"For me, leading this exceptional team has been unrivalled creative fun, and one of the great joys of my career. I'm so proud of the people we've worked with and the stories we've told. To finish our time on the show with an additional special, after the pandemic changed and challenged our production plans, is a lovely bonus. It's great that the climax of the Thirteenth Doctor's story will be at the heart of the BBC's centenary celebrations.

"I wish our successors - whoever the BBC and BBC Studios choose - as much fun as we've had. They're in for a treat."

With a six-part event serial announced for the autumn and two specials already planned for 2022, BBC One has now asked for an additional final feature-length adventure for the Thirteenth Doctor to form a trio of specials for 2022, before the Doctor regenerates once more.

Piers Wenger, director of BBC Drama, said: "Over the last four years, Chris and Jodie have made Doctor Who history and their time on the show is indelibly marked on our memories.

"From Rosa Parks to Ascension of the Cybermen, Chris and Jodie have given Doctor Who some of its most life-affirming and tear-jerking moments to date and we are beyond excited to see what they have in store for us in the new series this autumn."

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