The New Doctor Who Is A Woman And Fans Are Losing Their Minds
"An alien 'randomly' regenerates into 12 consecutive white men, but sure, a woman in the role of Doctor Who is weird."
After 54 years and a dozen leading men, the new face of Doctor Who will be female.
On Sunday, the BBC announced that they have tapped Broadchurch actor Jodie Whittaker to take over the mantle from current doctor Peter Capaldi, who will exit the series at the end of the year. The news was made public via a one-minute teaser video that aired after the Wimbledon men’s finals match.
Meet the Thirteenth Doctor #DoctorWho #Doctor13 pic.twitter.com/txHGz9tJEe
— Doctor Who Official (@bbcdoctorwho) July 16, 2017
“I always knew I wanted the Thirteenth Doctor to be a woman and we’re thrilled to have secured our number one choice,” said writer and executive producer Chris Chibnall. “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.”
Capaldi called Whittaker “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.”
The notion that Doctor Who should be played by a woman has gained considerable traction among fans in recent years, and many of them have taken to social media to express their excitement over Whittaker’s casting.
this is hugely important for little girls *and* little boys who watch the show. and i couldn’t be more excited for them. #DoctorWho13 https://t.co/ENiaqiThdB
— Sarah Dollard (@snazdoll) July 16, 2017
#DrWho13 ?Good choice. A generation of young Whovians who will now know that as a female in the Universe you don’t have to be the assistant
— Tracy Ann Oberman (@TracyAnnO) July 16, 2017
I couldn’t be prouder of #DoctorWho today. A whole generation of young girls are going to grow up with the Doctor as their hero. I’m cry.
— Christel Dee (@ChristelDee) July 16, 2017
#DoctorWho13 discussion with my son, 5. “This is the new Doctor”. “I thought Doctor Who was a boy?” “He doesn’t have to be” “Oh, okay.” :-)
— Ian McArdell (@IanMcArdell) July 16, 2017
Admittedly, not everyone is happy. Some fans are *very* upset that their favourite fictional time-travelling alien is no longer a man.
50+ years of a male Doctor. They can say goodbye to their viewers and ratings
— Luke (@LukeCSGO_) July 16, 2017
And again the PC brigade get their way.
R.I.P Doctor Who— NeathBlue (@NeathBlue) July 16, 2017
But if anything, their salty reaction has only made people happier.
Today in grown men crying over alien casting: pic.twitter.com/gqltGVLxOo
— Martin F. Robbins (@mjrobbins) July 16, 2017
When I was a kid watching Doctor Who, I’d have considered this a betrayal of the show, because I was a child & my brain wasn’t fully formed. https://t.co/v0csqOF9sm
— Paul F. Tompkins (@PFTompkins) July 16, 2017
An alien “randomly” regenerates into 12 consecutive white men, but sure, a woman in the role of Doctor Who is weird. #JodieWhittaker
— Charles Clymer?️? (@cmclymer) July 16, 2017
I’ve never seen Doctor Who, but I’m a big fan of anything that causes sexist idiots to tell on themselves.
— Jesse Spector ? (@jessespector) July 16, 2017
Whittaker will officially take over the role in 2018.