Broadchurch star Jodie Whittaker has been confirmed as the new incumbent of the TARDIS when Doctor Who returns for its eleventh 21st century series next year.

She will take over from Peter Capaldi in this year’s Christmas Special, in which the 12th and 1st Doctors appear side by side, with David Bradley playing the Hartnell incarnation.

Fan speculation ran wild during the build up, with many opposing the idea of a female Doctor receiving high levels of online abuse. The announcement came after the Wimbledon men’s singles final between Roger Federer and Martin Cilic.

New head writer and executive producer Chris Chibnall who takes over from Steven Moffat on the next series made the decision to cast the first ever woman in the iconic role.

Jodie Whittaker says: “I’m beyond excited to begin this epic journey – with Chris and with every Whovian on this planet. 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.”

Chris Chibnall, New Head Writer and Executive Producer says :  “After months of lists, conversations, auditions, recalls, and a lot of secret-keeping, we’re excited to welcome Jodie Whittaker as the Thirteenth Doctor.

I always knew I wanted the Thirteenth Doctor to be a woman and we’re thrilled to have secured our number one 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. The Thirteenth Doctor is on her way.”

“Peter Capaldi says : “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.”

Charlotte Moore, Director of BBC Content says : “Making history is what Doctor Who is all about and Chris Chibnall’s bold new take on the next Time Lord is exactly that. The nation is going to fall in love with Jodie Whittaker – and have lots of fun too!”

Piers Wenger, Controller BBC Drama says : “Jodie is not just a talented actor but she has a bold and brilliant vision for her Doctor. She aced it in her audition both technically and with the powerful female life force she brings to the role. She is destined to be an utterly iconic Doctor.”

Matt Strevens, Executive Producer says : “I’m so thrilled that Jodie Whittaker said yes to playing the Doctor. I’ve been a fan for years and always hoped to work with her. She is an actor of great emotional range and inhabits every role with complete passion and conviction. Just thinking about what she will bring to the Doctor makes me as excited as a kid at Christmas. It’s going to be a lot of fun.”

 

1) What does it feel like to be the Thirteenth Doctor?

It’s very nerve-racking, as it’s been so secret!

 

2) Why did you want the role?

To be asked to play the ultimate character, to get to play pretend in the truest form:  this is why I wanted to be an actor in the first place. To be able to play someone who is literally reinvented on screen, with all the freedoms that brings: what an unbelievable opportunity. And added to that, to be the first woman in that role.

 

3) Has it been hard to keep the secret?

Yes. Very hard! I’ve told a lot of lies! I’ve embroiled myself in a whole world of lies which is going to come back at me when this is announced!

 

4) Who was the first person you told when you got the role?

My husband. Because I was allowed to!

 

5) Did you have a codename and if so what was it?

In my home, and with my agent, it was The Clooney. Because to me and my husband, George is an iconic guy. And we thought: what’s a really famous iconic name? It was just fitting.

 

6) What does it feel like to be the first woman Doctor?

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. It feels incredible.

 

7) What do you want to tell the fans?

I want to tell the fans not to be scared by my gender. Because this is a really exciting time, and Doctor Who represents everything that’s exciting about change. The fans have lived through so many changes, and this is only a new, different one, not a fearful one.

 

8) What are you most excited about?

I’m most excited about becoming part of a family I didn’t even know existed. I was born in 1982, it’s been around longer than me, and it’s a family I couldn’t ever have dreamed I’d be part of.

 

9) How did Chris sell you the part?

 We had a strange chat earlier this year where he tricked me into thinking we were talking about Broadchurch. And I started to quiz him about his new job in Wales, and asked him if I could be a baddie! And he quickly diverted the conversation to suggest I should consider auditioning to be the 13th Clooney.

It was the most incredible chat because I asked every question under the sun, and I said I’d take a few weeks to decide whether I was going to audition. He got a phone call within 24 hours. He would’ve got a phone call sooner, but my husband was away and there was a time difference!

 

10) Did he persuade you?

No. There was no persuasion needed. If you need to be persuaded to do this part, you’re not right for this part, and the part isn’t right for you. I also think, for anyone taking this on, you have to want to fight for it, which I certainly had to do. I know there will have been some phenomenal actors who threw their hats in the ring.

 

11) What are you going to wear?

Don’t know yet.

 

12) Is that your costume in the filmed sequence which introduced you as the new Doctor?

No.

 

13) Have any of the other Doctors given you advice? 

Well they can’t because they haven’t known until now, but I’m certainly expecting a couple of calls – I’ve got a couple of mates in there. I’m mates with a companion [Arthur Darvill], I’m mates with a trio of Doctors. I know Matt Smith, Chris Eccleston and obviously David Tennant. Oh! And let’s throw in David Bradley! Four Doctors! So I’m hoping I get some calls of advice.

Click here to read our interview with Jodie Whittaker from 2011

 

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3 Comments »

  1. Okay I just want to rant for a tiny bit and everywhere else is full of obvious drama so I thought I’d do it here if that’s okay. I get that we can’t have a surprise because the news would leak out early and it’s better coming from the BBC than some cheap rag. But my problem with these reveals of the Doctor is that it feels like it should be more. Like give us a look at their costume, maybe a line or two and idea of what this doctor is going to be like heck a title or tease. We had the same thing with Matt Smitt where he was just posing in front of the TARDIS in his casual clothes. I know this is a petty thing but it’s all I’m going to complain about because I think I’ve seen her in one episode of Black Mirror and that’s it. I’m just kind of glad Moffat is going.

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  3. I was disappointed the reveal did not happen sooner.

    I was really hoping that Capaldi would regenerate in the season 10 finale so we could get a full Christmas episode with the new doctor in place.

    I remember Tennant’s first episode being the Christmas one and still my favourite given that narratively speaking it was Rose, Mickey and Rose’s mother that did most of the heavy lifting until a cup of tea aroused the Doctor from his slumber and gave us that epic ending that had everyone whooping.

    I’d love it if they could give the new Doctor a rousing intro like that.

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