"Doctor Who" fans will get a bundle of mixed emotions for Christmas this year as Matt Smith will star in his final episode that day. But with this tearful good-bye, viewers will simultaneously welcome The Doctor's 12th incarnation.
Smith, 30, announced Saturday that he would not be returning to the show following this year's Christmas special. He will, however, participate in the show's 50th anniversary special airing in November, which has already been filmed, the BBC reported.
"I'm incredibly grateful to all the cast and crew who work tirelessly every day to realise all the elements of the show and deliver Doctor Who to the audience," Smith said in a statement to BBC. "Many of them have become good friends and I'm incredibly proud of what we have achieved over the last four years."
Smith had been playing the beloved Time Lord since New Year's Day 2010, starring in the show for four years, just one year shy of the five his predecessor David Tennant spent playing the Gallifreyan.
Since this announcement, the biggest buzz has been about who will replace him as the Doctor. Recently, names like Idris Elba, Dame Helen Mirren and John Hurt have been dropped, but producers are giving no indication as to who is being considered.
"Somewhere out there... is someone who's about to become the Doctor," said executive producer Steven Moffat.
Eager fans from bloggers to bookmakers have already placed their bets on the next Doctor, with some speculations making the rounds in local media outlets.
Sebastian Brook of fan site Doctor Who Online entertained the possibility of Sean Pertwee to follow in his father Jon's footsteps. Bookmakers William Hill on the other hand have tossed around the idea of Rupert Grint of "Harry Potter" and Russell Tovey from BBC Three's "Being Human."
More notable prospects have come up in the discussion, with names like Martin Freeman of "Sherlock," on "Skyfall's" Ben Whishaw, former Doctor companion Billie Piper, David Morrissey, Richard Ayoade from "The IT Crowd," Eddie Redmayne from "Les Miserables," Richard Madden from "Game of Thrones," actor Tom Hiddleson and "Slumdog Millionaire's" Dev Patel.
Though the outcome of the new casting situation remains a mystery, Moffat promised that the episode and new Doctor would not disappoint.
"A life is going to change, and Doctor Who will be born all over again," said Moffat. "After 50 years, that's still so exciting."
Who are you hoping will play the next Doctor?
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