Alex Kingston on Matt Smith 'Doctor Who' exit: "You have to move on"

Alex Kingston has revealed that she knew of Matt Smith's intention to leave Doctor Who.

It was announced last Saturday (June 1) that Smith would be departing the BBC sci-fi drama at Christmas.

"I wasn't surprised [by the news], because he and I had a chat," Kingston explained during an appearance on BBC One's The One Show last night (June 5).

"At some stage, you have to move on and we did discuss when would be the right time in a young actor's career [to leave] if they were very associated with a particular role."

Kingston added that 30-year-old Smith was wise to depart the series before he became "typecast" as the Doctor.

"You have to move on, otherwise it becomes very difficult," she said.

Doctor Who will return to BBC One on Saturday, November 23 for its 50th anniversary special, with Matt Smith's final episode following later in the year.

Source: Digital Spy