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Doctor Who star Jo Martin teases "nuanced" Fugitive Doctor story after "one-dimensional" TV depiction

Doctor Who star Jo Martin has teased that we're set to see a more "nuanced" version of her Fugitive Doctor in upcoming multi-platform story Circuit Breaker, after what she describes as a slightly more "one-dimensional" depiction on TV.

Martin made her debut as the Fugitive Doctor in season 12, and has returned various times since then, including a surprise appearance in the season 15 episode The Story & The Engine.

Now, she's set to star in Doctor Who's new adventure Circuit Breaker, which will play out from June to September across various releases, including comics, magazine issues, books, and audio adventures.

Circuit Breaker will see the Fugitive Doctor team up with returning character Petronella Osgood (Ingrid Oliver) to face various monsters, including the Silence and the Daleks, and ultimately try to save reality.

Speaking exclusively to Radio Times about what fans can expect, Martin said: "There are so many layers to her, and we're just finding these layers, which has been a real gift and a real joy. She's not one-dimensional, which is what she kind of veers on in her TV appearances, really - you don't see all the other things that make her tick."

Teasing a slightly more uncertain side to the Fugitive Doctor, she continued: "There's so much more to her than just that, and the fact that she does have a vulnerable side, and she does question herself, and she does have regrets sometimes, and thinks, 'Was that the best way to deal with that?'

"I think that's really nice for Doctor Who fans to see that side of her, because it makes it all the better when she does switch back into this decisive, hard line Doctor.

"We all have stuff that we do to mask or to hide other bits of ourselves, and I think sometimes she uses her sarcasm and her humour to hide behind, and so to have this opportunity now to flesh her out and to explore more and to lean more into her backstory is just incredible."

We're also going to see the Fugitive Doctor in a very new dynamic, alongside Osgood - and Martin has teased that the pair of them might not always see eye to eye.

"She needs my help, as per usual!" she teased. "And, of course, I'm there for her. She doesn't quite fully understand me, and there's a little battle going on, but we need each other."

Plus, Martin is clearly delighted to continue her work in the Whoniverse.

"It's the job that keeps on giving," she said. "I first got the job, how many years ago, and I'm still doing bits and pieces for Doctor Who. It never ends, and that's not a complaint. I've never had a job like it!"

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‘Doctor Who’ Christmas Special Canceled, As Russell T Davies & Bad Wolf Exit BBC Sci-Fi Series

Big news in the Whoniverse.

The BBC has canceled the special Christmas episode of Doctor Who, while showrunner Russell T Davies and producer Bad Wolf are exiting the iconic sci-fi series.

In an announcement on Wednesday, the BBC acknowledged that the news would be “disappointing for fans” after the broadcaster promised last year that it would air a “spectacular” special episode in 2026.

The Doctor Who festive special is something of an institution in the UK, with previous favorites including David Tennant making his full debut as the Doctor in 2005’s “The Christmas Invasion.”

The exit of Davies and Bad Wolf, who signed up for Doctor Who as part of a major reboot in 2021, will result in the BBC putting the series out to competitive tender.

It means that BBC Studios, which owns the rights to Doctor Who, or an independent producer will have the opportunity to reinvent the beloved Time Lord.

“As part of securing the next phase of the show for future generations, and in line with the BBC’s Charter and Agreement requirements, the BBC will put Doctor Who out to competitive tender this year. Doctor Who remains an important part of the BBC and this tender underpins the BBC’s continued commitment to Doctor Who ensuring audiences will enjoy the show for years to come,” the BBC said in a statement.

“After careful consideration, the BBC, Russell T Davies and Bad Wolf have collectively decided not to go ahead with the previously announced Doctor Who Christmas episode.

“This decision was not taken lightly, and we 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.”

At the same time as the BBC statement, Davies posted on Instagram bidding farewell to the Doctor after his second spell as showrunner. He told followers that he had not written a Christmas special script and “no actor was ever approached to play the next Doctor.”

Davies has previously spoken about having a story for the Christmas special, but there is some dispute about how much he had written. In February, Doctor Who composer Murray Gold told the Radio Times that Davies had written several versions of the script for the 2026 special.

One afternoon Bernie's on her way home following a walk in the nearby park when she spots flames coming from one of the houses. She manages to break her way into the house and finds Serena, getting her out into the front garden. Then Serena tells her that Jason's probably still inside as he tends to listen to audiobooks while wearing noise-cancelling headphones and he might not have heard the smoke alarm going off. Bernie can't go upstairs to rescue Jason because the stairs are already alight, so she asks Serena if she's got any rope in the garage. She grabs the tow rope that Serena's never used and another coil of rope, then runs into the back garden where she spots Jason standing awkwardly at the big window in his room. There's a narrow balcony, big enough for plant pots, but not much else, in front of his window, so Bernie throws up the rope and with Jason's help, attaches it to the balcony railing. Then she climbs up to help him get down the rope.

She asks him to trust her, even though he doesn't know her, and he startles her by stating that she's Major Bernie Wolfe, who used to be in the RAMC. He's seen her around the Holby City General Hospital, where he works as a porter, when she's been there for physiotherapy and hydrotherapy sessions. He asks where Aunty Serena is and Bernie tells him she's safe in the front garden, then she uses the second rope to tie Jason to her so that she can climb down to the garden with him. It's awkward because he insists on taking his backpack with him, which Bernie later discovers holds keepsakes from his mum, his laptop computer, his headphones, and his favourite audiobooks on CD.

Eventually, they make it down the rope and just as they reach the ground fire engines and an ambulance arrive with screaming sirens and flashing blue lights. Bernie's feeling a bit worse for wear after her rescues of Jason and Serena, but it's worth it for the tight hug and kiss on the cheek she gets from Serena, and Jason's now-tearful thanks as well.

Since their home is now uninhabitable, Bernie insists that the pair of them come and stay with her: she'd bought a three bedroom house post-divorce so that there'd be room for both Charlie and Cam to stay, if they ever forgave her for divorcing Marcus, that is. She takes them back to her home after the paramedics have finished checking them both over, and gives them both hot sweet tea and a late lunch, then she takes them shopping for clothes and food. Luckily, it's fish and chip night, so there's no need for Serena to cook for Jason that evening.

Serena's slightly amazed at how Bernie takes Jason's needs in stride without making any fuss, until Bernie reveals that she has a cousin who's on the spectrum, so she's not unfamiliar with Jason's need for routine.