Long-running UK sci-fi series Doctor Who has just revealed the latest person to be awarded the prestigious titular TV role. Jodie Whittaker will be embracing the part, marking the 13th actor to play the Doctor — but only the first woman.
She will replace Peter Capaldi as the famed Time Lord, after he announced earlier this year that he would be leaving the show, and is expected to make her debut in the show's 2017 Christmas special.
Until this point, Whittaker was best known for her previous starring television role as Beth Latimer on Broadchurch.
"I'm beyond excited to begin this epic journey — with Chris [Chibnall, head writer and executive producer] and with every Whovian on this planet," she said in a statement [via The Guardian]. "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 added, "Anyone who has seen Jodie Whittaker's work will know that she is a wonderful actress of great individuality and charm. She has above all the huge heart to play this most special part. She's going to be a fantastic Doctor."
Not everyone was quite so positive about the latest who's who of Doctor Who, though, with the usual sexist internet trolls popping up to detract from the ground-breaking casting decision.
Thankfully, plenty of public figures have stepped up to put the haters in their place. See some of the best Twitter reactions below.
She will replace Peter Capaldi as the famed Time Lord, after he announced earlier this year that he would be leaving the show, and is expected to make her debut in the show's 2017 Christmas special.
Until this point, Whittaker was best known for her previous starring television role as Beth Latimer on Broadchurch.
"I'm beyond excited to begin this epic journey — with Chris [Chibnall, head writer and executive producer] and with every Whovian on this planet," she said in a statement [via The Guardian]. "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 added, "Anyone who has seen Jodie Whittaker's work will know that she is a wonderful actress of great individuality and charm. She has above all the huge heart to play this most special part. She's going to be a fantastic Doctor."
Not everyone was quite so positive about the latest who's who of Doctor Who, though, with the usual sexist internet trolls popping up to detract from the ground-breaking casting decision.
Thankfully, plenty of public figures have stepped up to put the haters in their place. See some of the best Twitter reactions below.
'Doctor' has no gender in English.
— Merriam-Webster (@MerriamWebster) July 17, 2017
Oh great a female Doctor Who. What next? Female real doctors? Female pilots? Female scientists? Female sisters and mothers? Female WOMEN?!
— m@®|{ µø₽₽û§🏳️🌈 (@markhoppus) July 16, 2017
The Doctor Who Helpline. pic.twitter.com/QDskJFpeZ2
— Mark Humphries (@markhumphries) July 17, 2017
Well I never the BBC really did do the right thing and let the Doctor be in touch with her feminine side. As a father of daughters - result!
— Colin Baker (@SawbonesHex) July 16, 2017
My daughter watching the #DoctorWho announcement. #doctor13 #DoctorWho13 pic.twitter.com/eX0w1rW4E9
— 🏳️🌈Jenny Trout (@Jenny_Trout) July 16, 2017
Me right now over the news about the new #DoctorWho pic.twitter.com/es1fZVSbi5
— BlackGirlNerds @SDCC (@BlackGirlNerds) July 16, 2017
*Calms all the angry men down* #doctor13 #DoctorWho #jodiewhittaker pic.twitter.com/oKrObzUbZV
— Shell (@shells_twits) July 16, 2017
