Jenna Coleman confirmed her departure on BBC Radio 1 this morning:
“I have left the TARDIS — it’s happened. I’ve filmed my last scenes.”
Coleman is moving on to take a role in the coming ITV drama about the early years of Queen Victoria’s reign. Coleman said of the project:
“She is a vivid, strong, inspirational and utterly fascinating woman in British history and I can’t wait to tell her story.”
Coleman became the Doctor’s new companion Clara Oswin in March 2012, succeeding Karen Gillan. No word on when Clara will exit the series.
“It’s been in the works for a very long time,” Coleman said. “Steven [Moffat] and I sat down a year and a half ago and tried to work out the best place to do it and tell a really good story. “We’re not going to give any details but it will happen at some point this season. … We worked out a really good story arc out so hopefully people will love it.”
Doctor Who premieres on BBC One and BBC America Saturday.