Jodie Whittaker and Mandip Gill open to Doctor Who returns after exit

The episode also wrote out both Jodie Whittaker's Thirteenth Doctor and Mandip Gill's companion Yaz, but speaking at a press screening for the special, Gill suggested that the return of old companions in her own farewell episode means there's hope we'll see Yaz again.

"We're always going to be a part of it," Gill said of Doctor Who. "You've just seen what what can happen in years to come. So if they need another companion [in future], I will answer that call."

Doctor Who showrunner Chris Chibnall has also departed the show alongside his leads, with Russell T Davies – who previously served as head writer and executive producer between 2005 and 2010 – returning to take up his old mantle.

"I've handed in my CV to Russell," Whittaker quipped.

Doctor Who fans are certainly getting served a healthy dose of nostalgia right now, with the show's own 60th anniversary celebrations next year set to feature more returning stars in the form of David Tennant and Catherine Tate.

Tennant's return will see him pitted against a villain played by Neil Patrick Harris, with fans speculating that Harris might be playing a classic Doctor Who foe, the Celestial Toymaker.

Doctor Who is available to stream on BBC iPlayer with episodes of the classic series also available on BritBox – you can sign up for a 7-day free trial here.

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