Meet the new female Doctor Who!
- Publication: Bella
- Date: December 2017
- Author:
- Page: 56
- Language: English
Jodie Whittaker is the first woman to play the Time Lord
The announcement of any new Doctor Who always sparks debate. But the news that actress Jodie Whittaker is to play the very first female Doctor sent fans into overdrive!
Jodie, 35, has made history by taking on the role, and head writer and executive producer Chris Chibnall is unrepentant over the decision to cast her. 'I always knew I wanted the 13th Doctor to be a woman and we're thrilled to have secured our number one choice,' he says.
Chris had worked with Jodie on Broadchurch, where she played murdered Danny Latimer's mum.
Here Jodie — who takes over the role from Peter Capaldi — explains how she feels about her biggest job yet.
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.
Was it a tough decision?
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.
Has it been hard to keep the secret?
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! I was allowed to tell my husband.
Did you have a code name and, if so, what was it?
In my home, and with my agent, it was The Clooney. To me and my husband, George is an iconic guy. And
we thought: 'What's a really famous iconic name?'
Do you have a message for Doctor Who fans? I want to tell the fans not to be scared by my gender. 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.
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, who played Rory Williams in the series], I'm mates with a trio of Doctors. I know Matt Smith, Chris Eccleston and obviously David Tennant [Jodie's Broadchurch co-star]. Oh! And let's throw in David Bradley! Four Doctors! So I'm hoping I get some calls of advice.
Doctor Who, Christmas 2017, BBC
Caption: Jodie as the Doctor
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- APA 6th ed.: (December 2017). Meet the new female Doctor Who!. Bella p. 56.
- MLA 7th ed.: "Meet the new female Doctor Who!." Bella [add city] December 2017, 56. Print.
- Chicago 15th ed.: "Meet the new female Doctor Who!." Bella, edition, sec., December 2017
- Turabian: "Meet the new female Doctor Who!." Bella, December 2017, section, 56 edition.
- Wikipedia (this article): <ref>{{cite news| title=Meet the new female Doctor Who! | url=http://cuttingsarchive.org/index.php/Meet_the_new_female_Doctor_Who! | work=Bella | pages=56 | date=December 2017 | via=Doctor Who Cuttings Archive | accessdate=18 March 2025 }}</ref>
- Wikipedia (this page): <ref>{{cite web | title=Meet the new female Doctor Who! | url=http://cuttingsarchive.org/index.php/Meet_the_new_female_Doctor_Who! | work=Doctor Who Cuttings Archive | accessdate=18 March 2025}}</ref>
