Now girls know they can be the Doctor too, says Whittaker
- Publication: The Guardian
- Date: 2018-07-17
- Author: Jim Waterson
- Page:
- Language: English
The new star of Doctor Who has said she hopes young girls will be inspired by the BBC's decision to cast a woman in the title role for the first time in the show's 55-year existence.
Jodie Whittaker makes her debut when the series returns in the autumn. A t6aser trailer for the series appeared at half-time in the BBC's World Cup final coverage at the weekend. "There's the chiselled superhero that were used to seeing and we've all grown up with," said Whittaker. "But Doctor Who has never been that, which is wonderful. It's attainable in so many ways.
"And now it isn't just attainable for half of the population. The other half can be the Doctor as well. Girls will no longer just think, 'Oh, I could be a companion: Being the first female Doctor and showing children that their heroes in shows don't always look the same is a huge honour for me."
Speaking to the Radio Times, Whittaker, 36, who previously starred in Broadchurch, said she had been pleased with the reaction after it was announced she would be replacing Peter Capaldi. Fans understood the programme would inevitably go in a different direction. "In a way, though, there is liberation in that new direction: the pressure is less for me because I can only do this my way. All the rules are out the window?'
The show, which is filmed in Wales under great secrecy, is under new management, with showrunner Chris Chibnall charged with ensuring it remains relevant. He said: "If you've never seen Doctor Who, or want to introduce your children or family and friends to it, this series is the perfect point to start.
"You don't need to know about anything that's come before. We've got a new Doctor, all-new characters, all-new monsters, all-new stories?'
The Doctor will be joined by three companions: the comedian and actor Bradley Walsh, and Mandip Gill and Tosin Cole, who were both formerly in Hollyoaks.
Caption: Jodie Whittaker as the Doctor (centre) with Tosin Cole as Ryan (left), Bradley Walsh as Graham (second right) and Mandip Gill as Yasmin
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- APA 6th ed.: Waterson, Jim (2018-07-17). Now girls know they can be the Doctor too, says Whittaker. The Guardian .
- MLA 7th ed.: Waterson, Jim. "Now girls know they can be the Doctor too, says Whittaker." The Guardian [add city] 2018-07-17. Print.
- Chicago 15th ed.: Waterson, Jim. "Now girls know they can be the Doctor too, says Whittaker." The Guardian, edition, sec., 2018-07-17
- Turabian: Waterson, Jim. "Now girls know they can be the Doctor too, says Whittaker." The Guardian, 2018-07-17, section, edition.
- Wikipedia (this article): <ref>{{cite news| title=Now girls know they can be the Doctor too, says Whittaker | url=http://cuttingsarchive.org/index.php/Now_girls_know_they_can_be_the_Doctor_too,_says_Whittaker | work=The Guardian | pages= | date=2018-07-17 | via=Doctor Who Cuttings Archive | accessdate=27 April 2025 }}</ref>
- Wikipedia (this page): <ref>{{cite web | title=Now girls know they can be the Doctor too, says Whittaker | url=http://cuttingsarchive.org/index.php/Now_girls_know_they_can_be_the_Doctor_too,_says_Whittaker | work=Doctor Who Cuttings Archive | accessdate=27 April 2025}}</ref>
