On Monday, Peter Capaldi announced on BBC Radio that season 10 of Dr. Who would be his last. He's leaving on his own accord after three seasons in the role.
"I’ve never done one job for three years," he said. "I feel it’s time for me to move on to different challenges. I feel a bit sad but rather wonderful. What a privilege to have done this. You have to be aware of when it’s time to move on. They asked me to stay on — my contract had run out — they asked me to stay. I thought, 'I love this but I don’t know how long I can do it and give it my best.' I want to move on to other challenges, but there’s never been something that’s more special to me."
The 13th Doctor will be unveiled during this year's Christmas episode, and people are already calling on BBC to pick a woman or a person of color to portray the iconic character.
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AHHHH GIVE US A FEMALE DOCTOR PLEASE @BBC #DoctorWho
— Castle On The Hill? (@AlwaysCastle_M) January 31, 2017
If the next Doctor takes a female or non-white form I'll be utterly gobsmacked, but we could do with it more than ever. Step up #doctorwho
— L Johnston (@FinalBullet) January 31, 2017
So who would you like to see become #DoctorWho next? Time for the first female Who? #DrWho
— James E.Parsons (@ParsonsFiction) January 31, 2017
In one informal Twitter poll, the majority of the 172 respondents said they'd like to see a female Dr. Who.
#DoctorWho #NewDoctor
— Doctor Who (@DoctorWho_FR_) January 31, 2017
Do you think it is time for a female doctor?
Yet in another with 155 responses, people still said the next Doctor should be a man.
Should Thirteen be a male or female Doctor? #doctorwho #drwho
— Whovian Leap (@WhovianLeap) January 31, 2017
Some are already casting their votes for actresses to take over the role.
My female #DoctorWho wish list, in no particular order:
— Chris (@chrisdclegg) January 31, 2017
Tracey Ullman
Miriam Margolyes
Helen Mirren
Maxine Peake
Phoebe Waller-Bridge
Time we had a female #TimeLord. So, #whovians, who should be the next #DoctorWho?
— Graham Lovelace ? (@glovelace) January 31, 2017
If there were to be a female Doctor, Hayley Atwell is the only choice. Where do I sign the petition? #DoctorWho
— Valerie Parker (@ValerieAtAccent) January 31, 2017
Executive producer Steven Moffat told Salon in 2015 that he'd tried to diversify the cast without much luck. But he's on his way out as well, Vanity Fair reports, and his replacement Chris Chibnall has a better track record.