THE first female Doctor Who assured fans there is more to fear from Daleks than her gender as she was unveiled as the new star of the sci-fi show yesterday.
Jodie Whittaker will make television history as the first woman to take on the mantel of the ancient Gallifreyan time traveller.
The appointment of the Broadchurch star follows intense speculation about who would follow 12th Doctor Peter Capaldi, with the actor himself stating he wanted a woman to take the helm of the Tardis.
At the close of the Wimbledon men’s singles final yesterday, the BBC granted his wish, revealing Capaldi’s successor in a trailer which saw hooded Whittaker walk through woodland towards the Tardis, where a key appeared in her hand and her face was finally shown to fans.
The show’s global popularity ensured the issue instantly became the top worldwide trending topic on Twitter, with some users complaining about the gender switch.
One posted: “Ladies, how would you like it if your female childhood hero became a male?”
However, others dismissed the concern, with one stating: “Hideous sexist backlash. A 900 year old alien with 2 hearts in a phone box is identifiable but A WOMAN?”
Whittaker was quick to address the issue, stating: “I want to tell the fans not to be scared by my gender.
“This is a really exciting time, and Doctor Who represents everything that’s exciting about change. The fans have lived through so many changes, and this is only a new, different one, not a fearful one.”
Fans had called on a number of actors to be cast as the Doctor’s 13th incarnation, including Scots comic Susan Calman, Vicki McClure of Line of Duty and Richard Ayoade of The IT Crowd.
Whittaker, 35, will make her debut on the long-running series when Capaldi regenerates into the character’s new form following the 2017 Christmas special.
Change will also take place behind the camera, when the Paisley-born showrunner Steven Moffat exits the project to make way for new head writer and executive producer Chris Chibnall, who worked with Whittaker on Broadchurch.
On landing the role, Whittaker said: “I’m beyond excited to begin this epic journey – 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.
"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.
“It feels incredible,” she added.
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here