Meet the Thirteenth Doctor #DoctorWho #Doctor13 pic.twitter.com/txHGz9tJEe
— Doctor Who Official (@bbcdoctorwho) July 16, 2017
TMS contributor Lacy Baugher said it a few weeks ago – “Doctor Who Can Handle a Woman as the Doctor” – and for the first time, the BBC believes it, too. Jodie Whittaker will be the 13th Doctor, making her the first woman to take on the role in the fifty-plus years of its existence.
“I’m beyond excited to begin this epic journey,” said Whittaker, “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.”
Whittaker is perhaps best known for her role on Broadchurch, where she played grieving mother and victims’ advocate Beth Latimer. She’s also had roles in films like Attack the Block and TV shows like Black Mirror. Given that Broadchurch creator Chris Chibnall will be taking over as Doctor Who showrunner, it’s perhaps unsurprising that another Broadchurch alum will also be joining the show. I’ve really enjoyed Whittaker’s performance on Broadchurch, so I’m excited to see her and Chibnall work together again.
But more than anything, I’m just excited that the show has finally, finally listened to its fans and given us a Doctor who isn’t a white man. While Doctor Who still has plenty far to go in terms of representation, I can’t wait for little girls to see themselves as funny, powerful, universe- and time-hopping heroes. Women are so much more than the roles they’ve been given in the Whoniverse up ’til now, and I’m so glad we’ll get to see that demonstrated on-screen.
Whittaker will debut during this year’s Doctor Who Christmas special, which will also be Peter Capaldi’s last episode.
(Via BBC News and Nerdist; image via screengrab)
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