Doctor Who type TV Show network BBC America

HBO Max genre Sci-fi Where to watch Close Streaming Options

The Doctor is out. Or at least he will be soon.

The BBC announced today that Matt Smith will leave Doctor Who after four years on the long-running program. Smith, who arrived on the show in 2010, will part ways with the TARDIS at the end of this year after starring in the 50th Anniversary special in November. According to the BBC, he’ll also regenerate one last time for this year’s Christmas special.

“Doctor Who has been the most brilliant experience for me as an actor and a bloke, and that largely is down to the cast, crew and fans of the show,” Smith said in a statement. “I’m incredibly grateful to all the cast and crew who work tirelessly every day, to realize all the elements of the show and deliver Doctor Who to the audience.”

Smith continued, “The fans of Doctor Who around the world are unlike any other; they dress up, shout louder, know more about the history of the show (and speculate more about the future of the show) in a way that I’ve never seen before, your dedication is truly remarkable. Thank you so very much for supporting my incarnation of the Time Lord, number Eleven, who I might add is not done yet.” (Read his full statement here.)

Steven Moffat, the lead writer and executive producer of Doctor Who, also released a statement in which he thanked Smith for his work as the Time Lord. “Bow ties were never cooler,” he said. Moffat’s already looking to the future, though, as the quest to find a new Doctor gets underway. “Now the search begins. Somewhere out there right now – all unknowing, just going about their business – is someone who’s about to become the Doctor. A life is going to change, and Doctor Who will be born all over again! After 50 years, that’s still so exciting!”

What say you, Whovians: Are you sad to see Matt Smith go?