Jodie Whittaker is glad she is bowing out of 'Doctor Who' on a "real high".
The 39-year-old actress - who first stepped into the TARDIS as the first-ever female Doctor in the 2017 Christmas special and then her debut series the following year - is set to leave the BBC One series after six-part limited series 'Doctor Who: Flux', which concludes on Sunday (05.12.21), and then three specials in 2022.
And she has admitted she would rather leave now than "cling on to something for myself".
She explained: “I know obviously what the storylines are.
“I know what challenges Chris [Chibnall, showrunner] is going to lay ahead in a brilliant way, and as an actor, I just felt like this was a real high.
“So I’d be staying for so many right reasons but then also just to kind of cling on to something for myself, whereas actually what I’m being given is wonderful.”
Jodie heaped praise on longtime showrunner Chris Chibnall, who will be replaced by returning Russell T Davies - who is set to return at the helm of the programme 12 years after he stepped away from the job - for always giving her a "challenge".
She added to RadioTimes.com: “For me, with Chris, I’ve never had to feel like something is missing, because I’ve been kept on my toes the entire time.
“So as far as something to play, I knew I didn’t have to worry about being challenged [because] whatever he was going to give me was going to be a challenge.”
A replacement Doctor is yet to be cast, though the likes of 'It's a Sin' star Olly Alexander and his co-star Omari Douglas have been linked to the iconic role.
Russell worked with both stars on the hit HIV/AIDS drama.
After 'Doctor Who: Flux' concludes this evening on BBC One, there will be three new special episodes from New Year’s Day (01.01.22).
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