The actress who plays a companion to the Doctor's eleventh and twelfth incarnations confirms that she will leave the show to play the role of Queen Victoria in an ITV drama series.
- Sep 18, 2015
AceShowbiz - Jenna Coleman confirmed rumors that she's leaving "Doctor Who" this upcoming season. The actress, who has joined the show since 2012 when Matt Smith was still on the lead role, told BBC radio host Nick Grimshaw, "I have left the Tardis. It's happened. I've filmed my last scenes."
"It's been in the works for a very long time," she said of her exit. "[Writer] Steven [Moffat] and I sat down a year and a half ago and tried to work out the best place to do it and tell a really good story." She coyly added, "We're not going to give any details but it will happen at some point this season... We worked out a really good story arc out so hopefully people will love it."
Coleman said it's a tough decision to leave the show. "There are not a lot of jobs where you get to have an alien as your best mate and get to run away from monsters ... it's been so much fun, I love it," she said. "It's such a unique beast. It's been really special."
"I think I'm in denial," she continued. "I really don't feel like I've left. I think because I see Peter [Capaldi, who plays Twelve] and I still see Matt [Smith, who played Eleven] all the time, I kind of believe I still have a key to the TARDIS � which I might do, 'cause I stole it. I stole loads."
After her departure from "Doctor Who", Jenna Coleman will star in a new ITV period drama "Victoria". She will play Queen Victoria from the age of 18 when she ascends to the throne to her courtship and marriage to Prince Albert. "She is a vivid, strong, inspirational and utterly fascinating woman in British history and I can't wait to tell her story," Coleman said.
"I need to learn to ride a horse, waltz, play Beethoven," the actress spilled her preparation to take on the role. "It's really fun; it's like bootcamp."
"Doctor Who" will return with 12 new episodes on September 19 on BBC America. Peter Capaldi returns as the 12th incarnation of the Doctor while "Game of Thrones" star Maisie Williams is cast as a brand new character. Alex Kingston, who played the companion, romantic interest, and eventually wife to the Doctor's eleventh incarnation portrayed by Smith, will reprise her role in the upcoming Christmas special.
On Twitter, Coleman additionally said of her exit from the show, "Adventures to last me a lifetime. Thank you @bbcdoctorwho. But as they say 'It ain't over till it's over'."
