Jenna Colemen reported to be leaving Doctor Who.

[The Romulan Republic]

http://www.theguardian.com/media/2015/s ... n-victoria

Jenna Coleman will reportedly be “leaving Doctor Who” after snapping up the lead in a new ITV drama.

The actor, who plays the Doctor’s assistant Clara Oswald, will be time-travelling back to the 19th century to play Queen Victoria in a new eight-part £10m drama, according to the Mirror.

Coleman, 29, is thought to have already filmed her final scenes alongside Peter Capaldi and she will leave before the Doctor Who Christmas special.

She has played Clara in the BBC sci-fi series for three years and accompanied actors Matt Smith and Capaldi on their adventures as the Doctor. Coleman is now the longest-serving assistant since the series was relaunched in 2005.

This week, Coleman told the Radio Times that she did not know how long she would last in the series.

“You’re in Doctor Who knowing it will never last. It’s constantly regenerating, so you want to make your time count and enjoy the adventure for the fleeting time you’re here,” she said.

The new ITV epic, called Victoria, will follow the early life of Queen Victoria from the time she assumed the throne at the age of 18.

The series is written by novelist Daisy Goodwin and based on Queen Victoria’s diaries – all 62m words of them. Goodwin said that her writings gave “an astonishingly vivid picture of her transformation from a rebellious teenager”.

ITV have said that Victoria will film in locations across the UK from September.

Doctor Who have said there is “no comment” on the reports.

The new series of Doctor Who returns to BBC1 on 19 September.

On the whole, I think this is for the best. She's been their a while, and I don't think her characterization has been handled very well (though that is no fault of Coleman's).

[Iroscato]

Oh thank fuck.

[Crazedwraith]

On the plus side, I never liked the character of Clara (other than as the Dalek version) and glad she's going on.

On the other this means Moffat will be writing another 'tragic' exit for a companion which is going to be awful.

[NecronLord]

I hope the whole experience doesn't damage Coleman's carrer, I don't mind the actress at all, much as I dislike the character. I think this will be a good move for her; she certainly looks like young victoria enough.

[Hillary]

I hope the whole experience doesn't damage Coleman's carrer, I don't mind the actress at all, much as I dislike the character. I think this will be a good move for her; she certainly looks like young victoria enough.

Her first main role was in a soap, which has killed the progress of many an up and coming actor - if that hasn't harmed her career, then nothing will.

On topic - thank the Lord!! I found her character exceptionally rubbish last season - I almost stopped watching.

[Iroscato]

All in preperation for Capaldi to regenerate into Coleman in a few years, of course.

[Tribble]

I have nothing against Jenna Coleman and I wish her all the best. But damn, I'm glad that Clara is being written out of the show. A lot of people complained when Rose Tyler briefly turned into a literal deus ex machina to stop the Daleks. People complained about Martha basically wishing the Doctor magic powers, and when Donna Noble briefly became a human/timelord hybrid (which was annoying, but boy did she pay for it!) But they have nothing on Clara, who is responsible for saving the Doctor in every single one of his adventures so far, inspiring the child Doctor into travelling, altering the events of the Time War (depending on your point of view, I take the viewpoint that he did use the Moment the first time around and was given the opportunity to change his mind), and giving him a new set of regenerations. Hell, she's even responsible for the Doctor choosing his Tardis! Oh, and everybody loves her and respects her and she's never never wrong. Clara is basically Moffat's little princess.

And it's obvious how Clara is going to be written out of the show - there's only one thing left for her to do, and that's help the Doctor find and return Gallifrey back to the universe. We wouldn't want our little princess missing out and passing the job onto the next companion would we? Dear me no!

Oh make that two things, I've also heard that River Song is returning, and Clara is likely responsible in some fashion for that happening too.

[The Romulan Republic]

All in preperation for Capaldi to regenerate into Coleman in a few years, of course.

I can actually see Moffat doing that, which is part of why I really hope he at least retires with Capaldi.

[Bernkastel]

Given that I believe his recent attitude towards the idea of a female Doctor, that's an idea that I wish I hadn't read now.

[The Romulan Republic]

For the record, I have absolutely nothing against a female Doctor. And I've read that the show has a history of bringing back an actor in another role.

However, having someone who played a companion return as the Doctor might feel too much like retreading old ground, the association with a character I don't particularly like (Clara) would be unfortunate, and given the hostility from some fans toward Clara, it might actually sink the idea of a female Doctor, which would already be controversial.

Edit: Of course, Jenna Coleman might not accept the role if it was offered. I could see her not wanting her whole career to be dominated by Doctor Who.

[Themightytom]

Oh thank fuck.

Right?? I feel like if a character is awesome they don't need to beat you over th head with it.

[Bernkastel]

For the record, I have absolutely nothing against a female Doctor. And I've read that the show has a history of bringing back an actor in another role.

However, having someone who played a companion return as the Doctor might feel too much like retreading old ground, the association with a character I don't particularly like (Clara) would be unfortunate, and given the hostility from some fans toward Clara, it might actually sink the idea of a female Doctor, which would already be controversial.

Edit: Of course, Jenna Coleman might not accept the role if it was offered. I could see her not wanting her whole career to be dominated by Doctor Who.

Neither do I. Yet having the idea simply be used as a way to get Coleman back and as the main character? That's an awful idea and now I'm stuck with the image in my head of Steven Moffat considering that and thinking it to be the best idea ever, plus various ways he might try that.

[The Romulan Republic]

Yeah, I pretty much agree with that.

[Themightytom]

For the record, I have absolutely nothing against a female Doctor. And I've read that the show has a history of bringing back an actor in another role.

However, having someone who played a companion return as the Doctor might feel too much like retreading old ground, the association with a character I don't particularly like (Clara) would be unfortunate, and given the hostility from some fans toward Clara, it might actually sink the idea of a female Doctor, which would already be controversial.

Edit: Of course, Jenna Coleman might not accept the role if it was offered. I could see her not wanting her whole career to be dominated by Doctor Who.

Neither do I. Yet having the idea simply be used as a way to get Coleman back and as the main character? That's an awful idea and now I'm stuck with the image in my head of Steven Moffat considering that and thinking it to be the best idea ever, plus various ways he might try that.

Hopefully not a brain bending "SHE WAS THE DOCTOR THE WHOLE TIME AND NOW YOU HAVE TO REWATCH EVERYTHING" cheat

[Bernkastel]

Hopefully not a brain bending "SHE WAS THE DOCTOR THE WHOLE TIME AND NOW YOU HAVE TO REWATCH EVERYTHING" cheat

Given how she's already been used...

If a Coleman Doctor in the Moffat era happened, that would be likely.

[The Romulan Republic]

I have nothing against Jenna Coleman and I wish her all the best. But damn, I'm glad that Clara is being written out of the show. A lot of people complained when Rose Tyler briefly turned into a literal deus ex machina to stop the Daleks. People complained about Martha basically wishing the Doctor magic powers, and when Donna Noble briefly became a human/timelord hybrid (which was annoying, but boy did she pay for it!) But they have nothing on Clara, who is responsible for saving the Doctor in every single one of his adventures so far, inspiring the child Doctor into travelling, altering the events of the Time War (depending on your point of view, I take the viewpoint that he did use the Moment the first time around and was given the opportunity to change his mind), and giving him a new set of regenerations. Hell, she's even responsible for the Doctor choosing his Tardis! Oh, and everybody loves her and respects her and she's never never wrong. Clara is basically Moffat's little princess.

Overstating this.

I believe Clara is wrong at times (and portrayed as such).

However, I do find retroactively inserting her into so much of the pivitol parts of the Doctor's life rather irritating (and arrogant and self-indulgent on Moffat's part).

And it's obvious how Clara is going to be written out of the show - there's only one thing left for her to do, and that's help the Doctor find and return Gallifrey back to the universe. We wouldn't want our little princess missing out and passing the job onto the next companion would we? Dear me no!

Oh make that two things, I've also heard that River Song is returning, and Clara is likely responsible in some fashion for that happening too.

I don't know about that. Jenna Coleman is apparently leaving before Christmas, which I've read is when River comes back.

I do agree that she'll probably have a hand in Gallifrey's return based on teasers, though I'm hoping Missy will have a big hand in that as well.

[The Romulan Republic]

For the record, I have absolutely nothing against a female Doctor. And I've read that the show has a history of bringing back an actor in another role.

However, having someone who played a companion return as the Doctor might feel too much like retreading old ground, the association with a character I don't particularly like (Clara) would be unfortunate, and given the hostility from some fans toward Clara, it might actually sink the idea of a female Doctor, which would already be controversial.

Edit: Of course, Jenna Coleman might not accept the role if it was offered. I could see her not wanting her whole career to be dominated by Doctor Who.

Neither do I. Yet having the idea simply be used as a way to get Coleman back and as the main character? That's an awful idea and now I'm stuck with the image in my head of Steven Moffat considering that and thinking it to be the best idea ever, plus various ways he might try that.

Hopefully not a brain bending "SHE WAS THE DOCTOR THE WHOLE TIME AND NOW YOU HAVE TO REWATCH EVERYTHING" cheat

Ugg. That's exactly the kind of twist Moffat would probably think was really fucking clever.

I think Moffat has gotten swept up by his ego and isn't thinking in terms of what makes sense for the plot/characters any more.

But even without that, I'd be for him leaving at this point, I think. He's been running things for a while now, and Doctor Who has always thrived thanks to change.

I'm worried the show will become so defined by Moffat that it won't be able to survive his leaving.

[Thanas]

Moffat always wanks some female characters into oblivion. For example, see River Song (and boy was she annoying).

[Captain Seafort]

Jenna Coleman will reportedly be “leaving Doctor Who”...according to the Mirror.

Could someone please explain why this statement is being taken as fact, despite coming from a source that would require independent verification if it claimed water was wet. Yes, it might be true, but it might also be bullshit, and given the source either is as likely as the other.

[The Romulan Republic]

Fair point, I suppose (though I'm not terribly familiar with British journalism outside of maybe the BBC and the Guardian).

However, it would make sense. Clara has been their for a season and a half, and is starting her second full season. If she stays through this season, she'll have been a companion about as long as Amy and Rory and longer than anyone else in the new series.

[SpottedKitty]

All in preperation for Capaldi to regenerate into Coleman in a few years, of course.

I'm trying to imagine a Coleman!Doctor going through the typical post-regeneration "sugar rush".

(I think I have a "tilt" sign in my eyes...)

[The Romulan Republic]

Update: The official Doctor Who Facebook page has confirmed it.

[Enigma]

Update: The official Doctor Who Facebook page has confirmed it.

Better yet, the BBC has confirmed it.

[The Romulan Republic]

Well, so long, Clara.

The questions are now:

How will she leave? And who will replace her?

Knowing this series, at least of late, her exit may be a ridiculously contrived tragedy that insults the audience (see Angels Take Manhattan and Time of the Doctor, or for that matter The End of Time).

As to who will replace her, not a clue, though I'd let go of about half my hatred of Moffat if it was Jenny (but I don't expect that).

Edit: Hell, Moffat would win big points in my book if it was anyone who wasn't a young human woman from modern Earth who flirts with the Doctor and ends up saving the universe through some absurd means. But I don't really expect that either.

[Joun_Lord]

Edit: Hell, Moffat would win big points in my book if it was anyone who wasn't a young human woman from modern Earth who flirts with the Doctor and ends up saving the universe through some absurd means. But I don't really expect that either.

Pretty much what I want. I'd love, LOVE, for the new companion to be something very non-human and preferably a former enemy. A dalek, a cyberman, something like that. To save on effects and costumes they can have a disguise generator or something making them look human but still underneath I want pretty much a monster that the doctor much like he was taught to be human now has to teach to be human. It could be a chick, could even be a attractive woman who gots a thing for the doc that way while still doing something a bit different, However they don't have to go that route, their were guy companions before and I'm pretty sure guy companions while their were no female companions.

Have a companion that isn't super important to the universe or to the doctor. I don't want the new companion to be who gave him his first jelly baby or taught him how to tie a bow tie. Just some person who needs a doctor.

Or have a companion that is the doctors equal without wanking them out, turning them into a love interest, or again making them important to his life. Too often companions seem to take over the show or be so useless they might as well not be there. Have someone who isn't some puppy eyed romantic or some idjit.

And I want less fracking end of the universe stories. It seems like they've been trying to outdo themselves with the level of threats the doctor has to face and its been taken to absurd levels. Yes its mostly end of series finales and junk but still, dial that shit back dawg. I think DW works better when its more focused in, when it has more human consequences and when you actually know shit can stick. Trying to end the world or universe doesn't have any suspense. Even if it happens they are going to mash that reset button so damn hard they might as well rename the show Voyager.

Also give poor Peter Capaldi some shit to work with. Dudes got the makings of a great Doctor but he's not been allowed to really stretch his legs in the Clara Oswald show.

Also also I wouldn't mind terribly if they bring back some old characters that have been forgotten or got way too little screentime like Jack Harkness, Jenny, human Tardis, and the Emperor while giving some characters like the Cybermen and Missy who I personally feel have been over-exposed some time to cool off.