'Doctor Who' Series 13 & 14 Confirmed, HBO Max Reveals—But Will Whittaker Stick Around?

The Doctor has been flying around our television screens for more than five decades now. Starting with William Hartnell as the First Doctor, the show has adapted to modern times all throughout its episodes. After 12 male Doctors, 2018 introduced the show’s first ever female Doctor: Jodie Whittaker.

Jodie’s first series [11] aired over a year ago now, and fans have been waiting around patiently for the next series, airing early 2020. Series 12 will see the return of Whittaker and her companions, Bradley Walsh, Tosin Cole and Mandip Gill, along with many famous old enemies. The Daleks, the Cybermen and the Judoon are all set to make an epic comeback.

The BBC tends to announce a new series of their show not long after the current series finishes broadcasting. After the Doctor Who Series 11 finale “The Battle of Ranskoor Av Kolos”, the BBC announced Series 12 and that it’ll air in 2020.

Now, Doctor Who fans can get excited as it appears HBO (yes, you read that right), have confirmed a 13th and 14th series.

Last week, WarnerMedia had announced the hit BBC science-fiction show Doctor Who will be made available on the all new streaming service when it is made available in the spring next year.

The streaming service subscription will allow let viewers watch Series One (2005) to 11 of Doctor Who. Starting with Christopher Eccleston’s Ninth Doctor, fans can fall in love with the show all over again.

Not only that, it has been revealed that future series of Doctor Who will be made available on HBO Max almost immediately after it airs on BBC America. The press statement announced “three future seasons” of Doctor Who, one of them being Series 12. Interim president of BBC Studios—Americas, Nigel Gaines said:

“As any ‘Doctor Who’ fan knows, the iconic TARDIS is ‘bigger on the inside’ – and it’s a good thing because the TARDIS is about to welcome a whole new slew of fans coming to the show through this deal with HBO Max.”

The next question on everyone’s lips is will Jodie Whittaker stick around for Series 13 and 14?

Whittaker’s debut episode, “The Woman Who Fell to Earth,” was one of the most watched episodes of Doctor Who ever, and since then, the ratings have held a steady figure. Whittaker’s casting obviously caused an uproar as many fans believe that the role of the Doctor must be taken on by a man. However, a very large number of fans adore Whittaker in the role and don’t want her to go (no pun intended there!), but how long will she stick around for?

We know that Whittaker is doing Series 12, and when that airs in 2020, that’ll be two series of Whittaker already. Usually the main lead of the show does a traditional three series before departing and passing the TARDIS key on.

Whittaker’s contract is, of course, kept confidential, so no one knows how long she has signed on for, however many fans don’t want to see her depart as the Doctor any time soon. Putting it into perspective, if Whittaker departs as the Doctor in Series 13 (assuming that’ll air in 2021), then the 13th Doctor will regenerate in Series 13 and the 14th Doctor will debut in Series 14. So, is that what Whittaker is aiming for, or will she take on a fourth series?

For now, Doctor Who fans have to keep up with that waiting game as the final parts of the upcoming series finish filming. With the Daleks spotted in Bristol recently, it looks as though we’re in for a treat in 2020!

If you just can't wait for more Whittaker, she has recently recorded a song for BBC Children in Need, covering Coldplay's "Yellow" in memory of her nephew, who passed away at just 3 years old. You can listen here.