Jenna Coleman is Leaving Doctor Who According to the BBC
The BBC made it official just before the premiere of Season 9. Actor Jenna Coleman is leaving Doctor Who. But what does that mean for The Doctor’s Companion, Clara?
Rumors had been going around for a while about Coleman exiting the long-running sci-fi series but the BBC America website now says those rumors are true.
Jenna Coleman made her Doctor Who debut on September 1, 2012 as Oswin Oswald in “Asylum of the Daleks.” She returned on Christmas Day of that year, playing Clara and remained with the Eleventh Doctor from the following episode, “The Bells of Saint John,” onwards. She stayed on-board the TARDIS for all of Peter Capaldi’s episodes to date and after filming for the last series finished, Peter commented, “Jenna has been absolutely brilliant. I think she’s wonderful in the show, and she’s my favourite companion.”
But if you’re wondering how this will all shake out, BBCA also writes, “It has not been revealed exactly when Clara leaves, and the question many are already asking is: how will she part company with the Doctor?”
Coleman has already played a few different characters thanks to her “Impossible Girl” status, could we be seeing a change like that or is she really leaving for good? I wouldn’t put it past Steven Moffat to try something tricksy.
I’m a fan of Coleman, but I’ve honestly never been a big Clara fan. Her plot from the get-go was absolutely convoluted and looking back now, seemingly forgotten. In my opinion, the character was incredibly mishandled and frankly, rather wasted as a Companion.
I got to see an early screening of the first two episodes of Season 9 and though I was one of those fans who was incredibly disappointed in Season 8, I thoroughly enjoyed them. Here’s hoping it means a more focused season.
What are your thoughts on Coleman’s exit?