The new Doctor is in.
And the Internet is, naturally, very pissed off.
On Sunday morning, BBC and BBC America announced via video and via press release that Jodie Whittaker has been named the 13th person to be cast as the title character on Doctor Who.
It’s notable every time a new actor takes on this iconic role.
But it’s especially notable in Whittaker’s case because she’s an actress.
Yes, Jodie Whittaker is a woman. She’s the first woman to ever be cast as Doctor Who and she will officially take over for the departing Peter Capaldi on the Doctor Who Christmas special.
Said new head writer Chris Chibnall of the casting decision:
After months of lists, conversations, auditions, recalls, and a lot of secret-keeping, we’re excited to welcome Jodie Whittaker as the Thirteenth Doctor.
I always knew I wanted the Thirteenth Doctor to be a woman and we’re thrilled to have secured our number one choice. 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.
The Thirteenth Doctor is on her way
Whittaker, meanwhile, has the following to say:
I’m beyond excited to begin this epic journey – with Chris and with every Whovian on this planet.
It’s more than an honor 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 probably best known for having played Beth Latimer on the British crime show Broadchurch … where she co-starred opposite David Tennant, who previously played the lead role on Doctor Who.
She’s a graduate of the Guildhall School of Music & Drama and appeared in the short film Wish 143.
It centered on a 15-year-old boy with cancer and it was nominated for Best Live-Action short at the 2011 Academy Awards.
Says Capaldi of the woman to whom he will be bequeathing this highly-sought-after part:
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 to play this most special part. She’s going to be a fantastic Doctor.
Despite the positive reaction from those associated with the series, this is the World Wide Web.
A whole bunch of idiotic trolls out there are taking issue with the casting of a woman as Doctor Who (“What will be next, Jane Bond?” one of them asked), despite the fact that this is a time-traveling, shape-shifting alien with two hearts.
If you somehow think the Doctor’s gender has any impact on his or her realism, well… just keep that sexist and ridiculous opinion to yourself, okay?
Thankfully, the excitement on Twitter over Whittaker’s casting appears to be far louder than the criticism.
To wit:
“The fact that there was so much interest in, quite literally, ‘Who?’ speaks volumes about the enduring power of the Doctor Who franchise around the world and for BBC AMERICA viewers,” says BBC President Sarah Barnett, concluding:
“We couldn’t be happier to welcome the remarkable Jodie Whittaker as a history making Thirteenth Doctor and look forward to the continuation of this story.”
What do YOU think of this casting choice?
