Jenna Coleman bids adieu to Doctor Who to focus on her new series, Victoria. While fans are happy that Coleman is advancing with her acting career, they are sad to see Doctor Who lose his companion.
In a new interview, Jenna Coleman confirmed the speculation that has been flying around the Internet: She is indeed leaving Doctor Who.
In 2012, Jenna Coleman landed the role of Clara Oswald opposite Matt Smith and later Peter Capaldi, who played The Doctor in the long-running BBC One science-fiction series.
While on the hit show, Coleman did briefly leave to star in three episodes of Death Comes to Pemberley, but this time around she has landed the main role of Queen Victoria in the upcoming series entitled Victoria.
The actress told executive producer Steven Moffat over a year and a half ago that she had plans to leave and according to rumors, she will appear in her final episode in October. The last time fans will see Coleman will be in one of the following episodes – “The Girl Who Died” or “The Woman Who Lived.”
Talking to Nick Grimshaw on his Radio 1 show, Jenna Coleman confessed that it is difficult and emotionally draining to leave the show. The actress shared:
“There’s not a lot of jobs where you get to go to work and have a spaceship and an alien is your best mate and also run away from monsters … you kind of think this job is only going to happen once. It’s been so much fun, it’s such a unique beast.”
She went on to add:
“I think I’m in denial – I don’t feel like I’ve left; I still see Peter [Capaldi] all the time, so I kind of believe I still have a key to the Tardis – which I might do because I kind of stole it …”
It is not yet known who will replace Coleman. Victoria, an 8-episode series, will follow the life of the British monarch “who at age 18 took the throne in 1837, and ruled for 63 years until her death in 1901.” Queen Elizabeth took the title of the longest-serving British ruler just this month. Coleman, who is thrilled to have landed the role, stated:
“I am delighted to be cast as Queen Victoria in this ambitious drama of her life.She is a vivid, strong, inspirational and utterly fascinating woman in British history, and I can’t wait to tell her story.”
Season 9 of Doctor Who will premiere on BBC America on Sept. 19. Via Twitter, the star announced her goodbyes and thanked the fans for their love and support.
Adventures to last me a lifetime. Thank you @bbcdoctorwho. But as they say 'It ain't over till it's over'
— Jenna Coleman (@Jenna_Coleman_) September 18, 2015
