Jodie Whittaker's Doctor

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Lore & Background

The Thirteenth Doctor faced a temptation to delve into the mysteries of her own past, as she noted it is 'hard to go forward, if you don't know where you have come from.' This series, consisting of six episodes forming one complete story for the first time since The Trial of a Time Lord (1986), explored labyrinthine layers and epic dramatic levels. She was joined by returning companions Yasmin Khan and Dan Lewis, while Jacob Anderson appeared as Vinder. Jo Martin returned as the Fugitive Doctor in 'Once, Upon Time', having last been seen in 2020. The narrative also featured recurring villains like the Ravagers Azure and Swarm, alongside guest appearances from historical figures such as Mary Seacole and Joseph Williamson.

In Their Own Story

The series began with the biggest action-effects sequence the show had ever done, opening in medias res to imply many adventures since the previous season. Filming commenced in November 2020 and concluded by August 2021, running for ten months despite COVID-19 challenges. Jamie Magnus Stone directed episodes one, two, and four, while Azhur Saleem handled three, five, and six. A notable trick shot involved a mirror in episode four where Claire looked at her double; the mirror moved to her face while a Weeping Angel statue was shifted behind her by the crew to create tension through focus changes. Chibnall co-wrote one episode with Maxine Alderton, minimizing turnaround as the show shifted from individual stories to a single serial.

Reader's Guide

This era was defined by the Flux anomaly and the decision to produce only six episodes instead of the usual eleven due to pandemic restrictions. Chris Chibnall wrote all six episodes, stating they aimed for the 'biggest story' possible rather than 'tiny little episodes in one room.' The production faced significant uncertainty; Chibnall revealed on Radio Free Skaro that the series narrowly escaped cancellation, with both he and Whittaker turning down other offers to make it work. In July 2021, near the end of filming, both announced their departure after agreeing to do exactly three series. The run concluded with Jodie Whittaker's final performance as the Thirteenth Doctor before handing back the TARDIS keys.

Did You Know?

• This was the first time since The Trial of a Time Lord (1986) that the series told one complete story across its entirety.
• Jodie Whittaker and Chris Chibnall revealed on Radio Free Skaro that there were times when the series had effectively been axed before production resumed.
• Episode four featured a complex trick shot with a mirror where the crew moved an Angel statue behind the actress to create tension whenever she looked out of focus.
• The series was reduced from eleven episodes to six due to the COVID-19 pandemic, with two additional specials airing in 2022.
• Composer Segun Akinola left after this series, which was his third and final, to be replaced by Murray Gold.