Another big Doctor Who name has exited the series amid today's big news. The BBC confirmed earlier that the sci-fi series will be put out to competitive tender, with this year's planned Christmas special axed and showrunner Russell T Davies exiting.
It has now been revealed that casting director Andy Pryor, who has been a staple of the series for 21 years, will be stepping away too.
Pryor has been integral to the series in the modern era, casting eight Doctors as well as the numerous companions too.
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Sharing an Instagram statement, he wrote: "It’s the end of a long, happy and thrilling era. 196 episodes. 8 Doctors. Anything between 10 and 30 companions, depending on your definition. Several thousand cast members (a figure that’s pretty much impossible to be precise about.)
"Thank you to each and every one of them," Pryor added, sharing his "biggest thanks" to various showrunners Davies, Steven Moffat and Chris Chibnall, as well as executive producer Julie Gardner.
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The casting director has since received a host of support in the comments, with former companion Mandip Gill (Yasmin Khan) sharing a series of blue hearts. Meanwhile, Jacob Anderson, who played Vinder, called the casting director "a legend".
Umbreen actor Amita Suman added: "You are amazing! Thank you for casting me in Demons of the Punjab. It was one of my first TV jobs and a memory I’ll always treasure."
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Explaining its decision over the show, the BBC said that it "was not taken lightly" and "know it will be disappointing for fans".
"But in order to set the show up for future series, it was decided that rather than bridge the gap with a one-off special, we are choosing to push forward to invest in the long-term future of the show which ensures that when the TARDIS lands once more, it does so in all its glory," the BBC added.
In his own statement, Davies confirmed that the axed special never had a script, while no actor was approached to play the next Doctor, adding: "It’s all up for grabs, which is so Doctor Who, exciting and unpredictable and new! Here comes the future, vworp vworp."
Doctor Who airs on BBC One in the UK, with classic episodes available via BBC iPlayer.
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Sam is a freelance reporter and sub-editor who has a particular interest in movies, TV and music. After completing a journalism Masters at City University, London, Sam joined Digital Spy as a reporter, and has also freelanced for publications such as NME and Screen International. Sam, who also has a degree in Film, can wax lyrical about everything from Lord of the Rings to Love Is Blind, and is equally in his element crossing every 't' and dotting every 'i' as a sub-editor.
