AceShowbiz - "Doctor Who" season 11 ended with a big question, but it seems like fans have to wait a little longer than usual to get the answer. BBC announces that season 12 of the long-running series will not air until 2020, much to everyone's surprises.

"The Doctor and her friends will land again with an all-new season on @BBCAMERICA in early 2020. #DoctorWho," the series wrote on Sunday, December 9 through its official Twitter account.

The Doctor and her friends will land again with an all-new season on @BBCAMERICA in early 2020. #DoctorWhopic.twitter.com/20fLDLigXK

— Doctor Who on BBC America (@DoctorWho_BBCA) December 9, 2018

In addition to the big delay, BBC confirmed the news that Jodie Whittaker would reprise her role as the Doctor in the upcoming season. She would be joined by Tosin Cole, Mandip Gill and Bradley Wash who are set to return as Ryan Sinclair, Yasmin Khan and Graham O'Brien respectively.

Showrunner Chris Chibnall will also return for the new season despite speculative report to the contrary. Explaining that he's currently working for season 12, he says, "We're off again! Well we never actually stopped. As Jodie Whittaker’s Doctor and friends have been winning the hearts of families across the nation this autumn, we've been busy with a whole new set of action packed adventures for the 13th Doctor."

Although the gap between season 11 and season 12 may seem big, it's not as big as the gap between season 10 and season 11 which was one of the lengthiest in the show's recent history. It is unknown why BBC has to take a year-long gap between season 11 and season 12.

"Doctor Who" season 12 will arrive in early 2020 on BBC and BBC America.