The long wait for Doctor Who fans is over as The BBC finally confirmed Broadchurch actor Jodie Whittaker will be the 13th Doctor.
There has been widespread speculation about who would take over as the world’s favourite time traveller since current Peter Capaldi announced he would be leaving. High profile names like Tilda Swinton, Olivia Colman, Kris Marshall and Sherlock’s Andrew Scott had been rumoured to take over the role.
“I’m beyond excited to begin this epic journey, with Chris and with every Whovian on this planet,” Whittaker said. “It’s more than an honour to play the Doctor. It means remembering everyone I used to be while stepping forward to embrace everything the Doctor stands for: hope. I can’t wait.”
Capaldi paid tribute to Whittaker. “Anyone who has seen Jodie Whittaker’s work will know that she is a wonderful actress of great individuality and charm,” he said. “She has above all the huge heart to play this most special part. She’s going to be a fantastic Doctor.”
It will be the first time in the show’s 53-year history that the character of The Doctor will be played by a woman. But calls for a female Doctor go back as far as the 1970s. Each time the actor playing the Doctor announces they are departing, speculation becomes rife that a woman would take over the role. However, in the world of Doctor Who female Timelords – sometimes known as Time Ladies – have been around for decades. During the show’s classic era, Time Lady Romana travelled with The Doctor and seemingly had the ability to change her appearance until she found one she liked.
Later in the modern Whoniverse, showrunner Steven Moffat had gone further to hint that the change is not set in stone. From the introduction of Michelle Gomez as Missy, a female incarnation of The Master, an onscreen regeneration of a Timelord from man to woman and one-liners that jokingly infer The Doctor may have been a woman before.
The final episode of the Moffat and Capaldi era is a special scheduled for Christmas Day. Chris Chibnall has already been named the new Doctor Who showrunner. His first season next year will be the 11th of the new generation of the show.
Chibnall said: “I always knew I wanted the 13th Doctor to be a woman, and we’re thrilled to have secured our No. 1 choice. Her audition for The Doctor simply blew us all away. Jodie is an in-demand, funny, inspiring, super-smart force of nature and will bring loads of wit, strength and warmth to the role.”
Are you pleased that the new Doctor is a woman?
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