Doctor Who starring Jodie Whittaker as the first female doctor will launch on Sunday 7 October for brand new series
The series is also moving to Sunday evenings from its usual Saturday night slot
THE new series of Doctor Who, starring Jodie Whittaker as the first ever female Time Lord, will hit screens in October.
The Broadchurch actress, 36, was announced as the thirteenth Doctor in July last year, and made her debut on the 2017 Christmas special.
The BBC confirmed today that the hit sci-fi show will be moving from its Saturday night slot, and will launch on Sunday 7 October.
Charlotte Moore, Director of BBC Content, said of the shake-up: “With Chris Chibnall at the helm and Jodie Whittaker’s arrival as the new Doctor we are heralding a brand new era for the show.
"So it feels only right to give it a new home on Sunday night at the heart of BBC One's Autumn schedule."
While showrunner Chris Chibnall added: “New Doctor, new home! Jodie Whittaker’s Doctor is about to burst into Sunday nights — and make the end of the weekend so much more exciting."
"The Thirteenth Doctor is falling from the sky and it’s going to be a blast.”
Chris has written an hour-long episode to kick off the new series, aptly titled "The Woman Who Fell To Earth".
Jodie was last seen as the Doctor plummeting to the ground from her exploding TARDIS during the Christmas special.
The actress was confirmed as Peter Capaldi's replacement - and the first ever female Doctor - after the Wimbledon Men's Final in July last year.
She said at the time: "I’m beyond excited to begin this epic journey – with Chris and with every Whovian on this planet.
“It’s more than an honour to play the Doctor. It means remembering everyone I used to be, while stepping forward to embrace everything the Doctor stands for: hope. I can’t wait.”
While the decision faced some backlash, Jodie later assured fans not to be scared by her gender.
She continued: "This is a really exciting time, and Doctor Who represents everything that’s exciting about change.
"There was no persuasion needed. If you need to be persuaded to do this part, you’re not right for this part, and the part isn’t right for you.
"The fans have lived through so many changes, and this is only a new, different one, not a fearful one.
"I also think, for anyone taking this on, you have to want to fight for it, which I certainly had to do. I know there will have been some phenomenal actors who threw their hats in the ring."
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