LONDON (UPI) -- Actor David Tennant appears to be retaining the title role in "Doctor Who," the storyline of the British TV series' season finale portends.

While there had been speculation Tennant was preparing to leave the science fiction series, his character survived Saturday's finale and all indications were he would be returning next season, The Sunday Telegraph reported.

The British newspaper said in previous season finales, the actor playing Doctor Who typically exits the show after his character begins regenerating from an injury.

While Tennant's character had begun the regeneration process, he was able to divert the related energy and stave off losing his powers.

The original incarnation of the action series ran from 1963 to 1989 before being brought back in syndication in 2005 by the BBC.

The series follows the doctor as he travels through both time and space to battle various evil forces and routinely save the universe.