'Doctor Who' season 10 spoilers, cast updates: Peter Capaldi confirms exit from series; new doctor to be played by a woman?

"Doctor Who" is set to introduce a new Time Lord after season 10, and there are speculations that the character will be portrayed by a female for the first time.

Earlier this week, Scottish actor Peter Capaldi announced he won't be returning as the Doctor after season 10. The veteran actor announced he is leaving the Tardis after three years on the series during an interview on BBC Radio 2. The British drama also confirmed the news via Twitter with Capaldi's statement: "It [the new series of Doctor Who] will be my last... I feel it's time to move on."

Capaldi first took over the role of Time Lord in 2013. He replaced Matt Smith, who is now starring as Prince Philip in Netflix's "The Crown." The upcoming season will also be the last one for showrunner Steven Moffat. He confirmed his departure last year, naming "Broadchurch's" Chris Chibnall as the new showrunner starting season 11.

The show's recent casting shake-up led fans to wonder who might be the perfect actor to play the beloved character. For 54 years, the Time Lord was always portrayed by a male actor, but Labour Party politician Harriet Harman thinks it's about time an actress assumed the role. The British lawyer has reportedly demanded BBC to cast a woman as the next Doctor Who. Known as a staunch feminist, Harman also mentioned that the new Doctor's assistant should be played by a man so that she could also "tell him what to do."

"Of course there should be a female Doctor Who but what we need is a man as her assistant," Harman said during a Westminster lunch. "She has got to just tell him what to do, he will need that leadership," the politician added.

Ben Wishaw, who played Q in the 007 films, is one of the names being floated around as the possible 13th doctor. "The IT Crowd" actor Richard Ayoade is also being suggested as Capaldi's successor. BBC has yet to announce a new Time Lord for season 11.

The 10th season of "Doctor Who" premieres on Saturday, April 15, at 9 p.m. ET on BBC America.