View source for Don't be scared of my gender, says first woman to play Doctor Who

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| publication = Daily Mail
| file = 2017-07-17 Daily Mail.jpg
| px = 450
| height = 
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| date = 2017-07-17
| author = Tim Lamden 
| pages = 3
| language = English 
| type = 
| description = 
| categories = cast changes
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| text = 
WITH adventures across the entirety of time and space, it is a show that's used to covering uncharted territory.

And Doctor Who once again headed into the unknown yesterday - with the first female Doctor.

Broadchurch star Jodie Whittaker was named as the 13th Time Lord, and called for fans to 'not be scared by my gender'.

The BBC announced that the 35-year-old will take over from Peter Capaldi in this year's Christmas special.

Miss Whittaker said: '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.

'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 different one, not a fearful one.' 

A minute-long clip on BBC1 last night revealed the new doctor's identity, showing the actress approach the Tardis in a forest with a key in her hand.

Capaldi, who announced in January he was quitting the show, said: '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 Tennant. Broadchurch creator to play this most special part. Chris Chibnall, who is replacing She's going to be a fantastic Steven Moffat as head writer and Doctor.'	

He was among a number of figures, including former Doctor Who star Billie Piper and Labour's ex-deputy leader Harriet Harman, who had [[Next Doctor Who has to be a woman, Harman tells BBC|called for the new Doctor to be a woman]].
 
Miss Whittaker is best-known for her role as the mother of murdered boy Danny Latimer in ITV's Broadchurch, alongside Olivia Colman and former Doctor David  Tennant.  Broadchurch creator Chris Chibnall, who is replacing Steven Moffat as head writer and executive producer of Doctor Who, said: 'I always knew I wanted the 13th Doctor to be a woman and we're thrilled to have secured our number-one choice.

'Her audition for the Doctor simply blew us away.'

Paul Winter, from the Doctor Who Appreciation Society, said: 'There will probably be a degree of cynicism directed towards this casting, and many will accuse the 
BBC of acting out of political correctness. However we believe that fans and the wider public will support the new Doctor and production team.'

Doctor Who fan Marc Ford said it was 'about time' a woman took the part, telling the BBC: 'We have got a female doctor. Let's see how good she is.'

However, not everyone agreed. Twitter user David Stephens said: 'Sorry this is so-called equality, women's rights, political correctness gone mad - Dr Who was written/created as a man! End of.' 

And Clive Walton wrote: 'No the character is a man not a woman! As usual the BBC have to muddy the waters through political correctness, that's what they do!' 

The Yorkshire-born actress has also starred in films such as St Trinian's, with close friend Gemma Arterton. She is married to US actor Christian Contreras and the couple have one child. 

Doctor Who first aired in November 1963. Since its comeback in 2005, Christopher Eccleston, Tennant, Matt Smith and Capaldi have taken on the role.


Comic: 'You used to hide behind the sofa when Doctor Who was a bloke'

Captions: 

The new Doctor: Jodie Whittaker will take over at Christmas

New home: She approaches the Tardis in last night's clip

The new Doctor. Jodie Whittaker will take over at Christmas


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