'Doctor Who' showrunner Chris Chibnall is already planning series 13.

Doctor Who star Jodie Whittaker

Doctor Who star Jodie Whittaker

Despite speculation that showrunner and head writer Chris will depart after the upcoming season 12, Chibnall has insisted that he is here to stay.

He told Radio Times: "It's categorically untrue [that I'm leaving. We're already planning the next series after this series."

The first trailer for the season 12 is expected to be released on Saturday (23.11.19), but Chris and his team are already getting ready for season 13.

Meanwhile, Chris insisted season 12 is more ambitious than series 11, while star Jodie Whittaker admitted she is more comfortable this year.

Chris said: "It feels like a step up. It's probably more ambitious than last year. Scale, storytelling, everything. I would say we are aiming to keep moving forward and up. There are bigger moments this year."

Jodie added: "It doesn't feel like we're regurgitating anything that we've done before. I feel like we're treading new ground for each of the character journeys, and the development of everybody's storylines.

"I felt more comfortable, because playing it during my second season is obviously less nerve-wracking than day one of season one. Now, it's second skin already."

And it was recently revealed that Stephen Fry and Lenny Henry will appear in the new series of the show.

The former 'Q.I.' host and the 61-year-old comedian will guest star in the opening adventure of the BBC sci-fi series, in what has been teased as "one of [the show's] biggest ever stories".

Stephen, 62, admitted being part of the iconic series is one of the most exciting things he's ever done.

He said: "Short of being picked for a British space exploration programme - and I readily concede that I'm past the age where I'd be considered (if I was ever the right age for such a posting) - then being in an episode of Doctor Who will certainly do as a very sweet second-place excitement."

And Lenny - who previously worked with the Doctor herself, Whittaker, and showrunner Chibnall on 'Broadchurch' - had a "brilliant" time on set.

He said: "It was absolutely brilliant to be welcomed into the fantastical world of 'Doctor Who'.

"The nearest I have been to the TARDIS was when I played the Caribbean Doctor in 'The Lenny Henry Show', so as a life-long (hiding behind the sofa type) 'Doctor Who' fan this is a very special moment for me."


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