Doctor Who season 12 will not debut until 2020, Jodie Whittaker will return

Bradley Walsh, Mandip Gil and Tosin Cole are set to reprise their roles

Related video: Doctor Who series 11

Jodie Whittaker will return as Doctor Who – but not until 2020.

The eleventh series has come to an end with an episode that saw the eponymous time-traveller answering distress calls from a battle-scarred planet.

Following the New Year’s Day special, Whittaker – along with her trio of companions, played by Bradley Walsh, Mandip Gil and Tosin Cole – will reprise their roles on BBC One in 2020.

Doctor Who boss and head writer Chris Chibnall, who took over from Steven Moffat for season 11, has already begun on the 12th series.

“We’re off again! Well we never actually stopped,” Chibnall said. “As Jodie Whittaker’s Doctor and friends have been winning the hearts of families across the nation this autumn, we’ve been busy with a whole new set of action packed adventures for the 13th Doctor.

“We adore making this show and have been blown away by the response from audiences, so we can’t wait to bring more scares, more monsters and more Bradley Walsh, Mandip Gill and Tosin Cole to BBC One. Brilliant!”

The first episode of the new series of the sci-fi show, starring Whittaker as the first female Doctor, drew the programme’s biggest launch viewing figures in 10 years.

BBC director of content Charlotte Moore said: “We’re delighted that the Doctor and her friends will be returning to thrill audiences in 2020.

“I know Chris and the whole team are already working on a whole new set of exciting adventures. In the meantime we’ve got a very special episode on New Year’s Day for everyone to enjoy.”

Whittaker recently confirmed she would return to the role, telling The Hollywood Reporter: “I really can’t wait to step back in and get to work again.... I’m not quite ready to hand it over yet.”