I feel bad for Jodie Whittaker right now. Everyone just wants her last episode out the way so we can get to 14 and the return of 10.
If anything, new Doctor actors are announced before the current incarnation's final story airs, but given all of the news items coming in and the (ugh) "memberberries" of our favorite past Doctor and Donna returning and are asking just where and how Donna fits due to her finale (assuming this is in direct chronological continuation after her finale)...
I feel bad for Jodie too. (Never mind how Chibnall's final episode is hyping up and focusing far more on a handful of monsters and older companions...)
The only real surprise was the return of RTD as opposed to a new showrunner, where it would otherwise be impossible for anyone to guess they'll do a retread to appease fans so tightly wound to Tennant's era. The fact that, since then, older RTD-era elements are being paraded only confirms the show really is slipping backwards. Then again, we all saw this before when Rose was expositioned out of the show for a soppy good cry, fans balked, she comes back (with hardly any explanation - but at least more articles came out to discuss the latest top-10 moments that (modern)
Doctor Who got viewers to cry. Would be stronger if in-story plot logic was given more than token lipservice, when said drama would be far stronger.)
Ncuti has his work cut out for him. I think he has the charisma and RTD is good at casting, but there is a common belief being observed that the show might be just a redo of his first era. It'll be great when the episodes show he can do more than cookie cutter maudlin melodrama.
Never knew that the show almost got axed when RTD intended to leave... but I never knew he had been providing advice to his successors since "leaving" either... it depends on which set of rumors people are going to believe. But as with Chibnall, RTD said he was done with the show, so expect Chibnall to be writing again by 2035.