After months of rumors, some teasers from executive producer Stephen Moffat and noncommittal statements from Jenna Coleman about her future with BBC's beloved series, Doctor Who, we can confirm that the young actress has signed on for season 9. Whovians had to wait until the last moments of the 2014 Christmas Special episode that aired this week, "Last Christmas," but we now know that Clara Oswald will continue her reign as the Doctor's companion in 2015, opposite series leading man Peter Capaldi. The new episodes won't air until later in the new year, but we're excited to see Jenna stick with the series, which she joined back in 2012 when Matt Smith was leading the show.
Fans are probably used to the secrecy around the series, but we certainly were biting our nails about this news. Early reports suggested that Coleman was tired of the series and wanted out, but then updates came suggesting she changed her mind. Whatever the real reasons around the quitting rumors were, Jenna isn't going anywhere soon.
"It's wonderful! I get a whole other series of stories with the Doctor and I couldn't walk away with the story being unresolved," Coleman said to BBC, according to The Hollywood Reporter, this week. "There is so much more to do. I think they've finally just reached a point where they really understand each other. The arrival of the 12th Doctor has just kind of dropped this whole bombshell and allowed the dynamic to totally change, so I think just when Clara was feeling more comfortable in the relationship, it has suddenly thrown something new up."
Capaldi also shared his own excitement about the highly awaited news.
"I'm thrilled," the actor said. "Jenna has just been fantastic and such a pleasure to work with."
Let us know what you think of this Doctor Who season 9 casting news in the comments section below!