Doctor Who Series 9: Goodbye Clara

When series 9 of Doctor Who premieres on Saturday, it will be the beginning of the second series with Peter Capaldi in the role of the Twelfth Doctor. It will also be the final series in which the Jenna Coleman will play the role of the Doctor's companion Clara Oswald.

Coleman confirmed on BBC Radio this week that she will be leaving the show sometime during the ninth season. There had already been speculation that Coleman would be bowing out sometime soon, and her announcement confirmed that the Doctor will, indeed, be looking for a new companion this year.

That's just one more task on the Doctor's plate in what was already set to be a busy season. We already know that Missy, the latest incranation of the Master, will return in series 9, as will the Doctor's mysterious time-traveling wife, River Song. We also know that Maisie Williams, who plays Arya Stark in Game of Thrones, will make an appearance on the show, although the precise nature of her role is still a well-guarded secret.

There's also confirmation from reviewers that the new season will feature a Doctor who is markedly more light-hearted than the dour, curt manifestation that took the helm of the TARDIS - and alienated more than a few fans - when Capaldi took over the role.

Doctor Who series 9 debuts on September 19 on BBC America.