'I have left the Tardis': Jenna Coleman confirms she's leaving Doctor Who... as it's revealed she will play Queen Victoria in new TV drama

PUBLISHED: 11:35, 18 September 2015 | UPDATED: 13:00, 18 September 2015

She's proved hugely popular with fans of the sci-fi series since being introduced as the Time Lord's companion Clara Oswald in 2012.

But Jenna Coleman will sadly be leaving her intergalactic adventures behind when the new series of Doctor Who, which kicks off this weekend, comes to an end.

Following months of speculation, the 29-year-old actress confirmed the news during an interview with Nick Grimshaw on BBC Radio 1 on Friday, where she also revealed she will be taking on the lead role in new ITV period drama, Victoria.

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End of an era: Jenna Coleman confirmed she would be leaving Doctor Who at the end of the upcoming series when she stopped by the BBC Radio 1 studios on Friday morning

Jenna announced: 'I have left the Tardis - it's happened. I've filmed my last scenes.'

She confessed it had been 'emotional' leaving both the BBC One programme and her co-star Peter Capaldi, who took over from Matt Smith as the titular Doctor last year.

The brunette beauty was casually clad for her interview, donning a pretty floral maxidress and a long blue coat, paired with stylish black accessories.

Sad goodbye: Jenna was casually clad for her radio interview, during which she revealed it had been extremely 'emotional' filming her final scenes

Fan favourite: Jenna has proved hugely popular with fans of the sci-fi series since being introduced as the Time Lord's companion Clara Oswald in 2012

Mobbed: The 29-year-old brunette was surrounded by eager fans as she made her early morning arrival

Discussing her exit, Jenna explained: 'It's been in the works for a very long time. [Show boss] 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.

She confirmed her exit would happen before the upcoming series wrapped, and is widely rumoured to be leaving during episode 10 of the 12 series run.

'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.'

Mid-series exit: Jenna's character is expected to leave before the current series wraps, with the dramatic scenes taking place in an episode called Face The Raven

Killed off? Jenna's alter-ego Clara will alleged be the first companion to die on the show since 1982

Showrunner Steven Moffat recently teased: 'Not all of them will get out alive. One of the three intruders must face The Raven.

'We’re pushing the boundaries once again with the most experimental episode Doctor Who has ever made.'

It has been reported that Jenna's character will be killed off, making her the first companion to die on the show since 1982.

New role: The brunette beauty will be taking on the role of a young Queen Victoria in new eight-part ITV drama, Victoria, which begins filming this autumn

'Ambitious drama': The eight-part programme will follow the early life of Queen Victoria from her ascension to the throne aged just 18

The episode following her exit will also be the first time the Doctor has appeared without a companion.

Following her departure from Doctor Who, Jenna has signed up for an eight-part drama on ITV where she will play a young Queen Victoria.

The ambitious eight-part programme will follow the early life of Queen Victoria from her ascension to the throne at the tender age of 18, through to her courtship and marriage to Price Albert

'I am delighted to be cast as Queen Victoria in this ambitious drama of her life', she commented.

'She is a vivid, strong, inspirational and utterly fascinating woman in British history and I can't wait to tell her story.'

Further casting is underway for the drama, penned by novelist Daisy Goodwin, which starts filming in locations around the North of England this October.