The BBC announced Sunday morning that Jodie Whittaker would take over the lead role on ‘Doctor Who‘. The first actress to portray the Time Lord in the long-running sci-fi series’ history.
For a while, it was rumored that a female Doc Who was coming. Now fans have mixed reactions. While some are loving the decision other seem skeptic about it.
A band new Doctor, and is a she
BBC delivered exciting news for the world on Sunday when they announced the first female to star as the universe-trotting Timelord in the long-running science fiction series ‘Doctor Who.’
Whittaker will become the 13th Doctor in the show’s history. She’ll be taking over for current star Peter Capaldi at the end of this year.
Capaldi has starred on the show since 2013 and was the 12th actor to fill the Doctor’s shoes since the series made its debut on British television in 1963.
The revelation of the 13th Doctor was made on live television after the Wimbledon men’s tennis final.
A film clip showed a mysterious hooded figure ’revealed to be Whittaker ’ walking through the woods.
Whittaker TV credits include British crime series ‘Broadchurch.’ And films ‘Attack the Block,’ ‘Adult Life Skills,’ ‘Black Sea,’ ‘Ashes,’ ‘Good Vibrations’ and ‘One Day.’
“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 honor 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.”
Her casting follows the hiring of Chris Chibnall as ‘Doctor Who’ new showrunner for the forthcoming season. Chibnall previously worked with Whittaker on Broadchurch.
Whittaker will fill the Doctor’s shoes starting next year.
Former Doctor Who
Whittaker replaces Peter Capaldi who became the 12th doctor in 2013 and who told BBC radio in January that it was “time to move on.” Capaldi replaced Matt Smith, who went on to star in ‘The Crown.’
Capaldi paid tribute to Whittaker on Twitter.
“Anyone who has seen Jodie Whittaker’s work will know that she is a wonderful actress of great individuality and charm,” he Tweeted.
“She has above all the huge heart to play this most special part. She’s going to be a fantastic Doctor.”
In addition to Capaldi, actors who played the role on TV were William Hartnell, Patrick Troughton, Jon Pertwee, Tom Baker, Peter Davison, Colin Baker, Sylvester McCoy, Paul McGann, Christopher Eccleston, David Tennant and Matt Smith.
‘Doctor Who’ ran from 1963 to 1989 and was revived to acclaim in 2005. Its longevity is partly due to its flexible premise.
The central character, known only as the Doctor, can travel across space and time and can regenerate into new bodies ’ allowing for the endless recasting of the role.
Writers and showrunners at the helm since the reboot have included Russell T. Davies and Steven Moffat, who teamed with another ‘Doctor Who’ writer, Mark Gatiss, on another fan favorite, ‘Sherlock.’
Moffat is leaving the show with Capaldi and has a new project and a ‘Dracula’ series in the making with Gatiss.
The final episode of the Moffat and Capaldi era is a special scheduled for Christmas Day.
Whittaker’s first season next year will be the 11th of the new generation of the show.
The future is female
In news that has divided the internet, it’s been revealed that ‘Doctor Who’s Thirteenth Doctor will be played by Jodie Whittaker.
The news isn’t a total surprise to viewers, as possible candidates for the role had included names like Tilda Swinton and Olivia Colman.
The news of Whittaker’s Doctor Who was met with similar skepticism and uproar as the all-female ‘Ghostbusters‘ faced.
However, Whittaker defended showrunner Chris Chibnall’s decision to break the glass TARDIS ceiling.
“It feels completely overwhelming, as a feminist, as a woman, as an actor, as a human, as someone who wants to continually push themselves and challenge themselves, and not be boxed in by what you’re told you can and can’t be,” Whittaker said.
“It feels incredible.”
She was backed by showrunner Chibnal, who said in an interview,
“I always knew I wanted the 13th Doctor to be a woman. We’re thrilled to have secured our number one choice,” Chibnall said in a statement.
“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. The 13th Doctor is on her way.”
While Whittaker is sure to encounter furious backlash, she’ll also be responsible for inspiring the next generation of ‘Doctor Who’ fans, who will finally have a female Doctor and role model in their midst.
Such a good time to be alive.
And this tweet sums it up.
Source: Mercury News