The new season of Doctor Who is almost here, and a new teaser for the 13th season has just arrived bringing with it a release date and an overarching title for the first time since the show regenerated itself back in 2005. While many of the headlines recently have been about Russell T Davies returning to the show as showrunner from the 2023 season, which will also coincide with the show's 60th anniversary, there is one more season of Jodie Whittaker's Doctor to come, which will be followed by three specials in 2022 before she and current writer Chris Chibnall bow out. What is possibly more surprising is that after the very staggered and individual episodes of the last few seasons, we are about to back into more classic long-form storytelling, as season 13 has the title of Doctor Who: Flux.
In the latest teaser announces the season premiere on October 31st, and sees Jodie Whittaker's Time Lord warning against the coming of "The Flux" and that there are a number of villains on her tail, while new artwork shows a jumbled bunch of lines, which suggests that we are going to be getting a very non-linear story - which for many is what Doctor Who is all about.
The official synopsis for the new season reads: "She's back. The Thirteenth Doctor is returning for the thirteenth series in what is set to be a six-part Event Serial. Since their last epic battle in Revolution of the Daleks, the Doctor (Jodie Whittaker) and Yaz (Mandip Gill) have been exploring the universe together but with the Doctor now questioning everything about her past there, she will undoubtedly be searching for answers. This adrenalin-fueled; universe-spanning series will also see an addition to the TARDIS with actor and comedian John Bishop joining the cast as Dan Lewis who will quickly learn there's more to the Universe than he could ever believe. Jacob Anderson (Game of Thrones, Broadchurch) is also set to make his debut on Doctor Who as reoccurring character, Vinder. Jacob's new role will see him join forces with the Doctor, Yaz and Dan as the Doctor faces her biggest ever adventure. Series 13 is set to introduce some terrifying new adversaries."
While the series has suffered a dip in ratings recently, many fans have blamed the writing on the show rather than anything to do with Whittaker's take on the character. While Chibnall has done some phenomenal work on the likes of Broadchurch, his style has never seemed to gel with Whovians, tending to favor slow, monologue-led scenes over the spectacular action that fans have come to expect from the show. Russell T Davies is set to take over as showrunner after this season.
While discussing her departure from the series, Whittaker said, "In 2017 I opened my glorious gift box of size 13 shoes. I could not have guessed the brilliant adventures, worlds and wonders I was to see in them. My heart is so full of love for this show, for the team who make it, for the fans who watch it and for what it has brought to my life. And I cannot thank Chris enough for entrusting me with his incredible stories. We knew that we wanted to ride this wave side by side, and pass on the baton together. So here we are, weeks away from wrapping on the best job I have ever had. I don't think I'll ever be able to express what this role has given me. I will carry the Doctor and the lessons I've learnt forever. I know change can be scary and none of us know what's out there. That's why we keep looking. Travel Hopefully. The Universe will surprise you. Constantly."
Whether a more intricate, multi-episode event like Flux can bring more of the old Who magic back is something we will need wait just a short while to find out when the season begins on October 31st on BBC America.