Tardis Breaks Through the Glass Ceiling: New Doctor Will Be A Woman

After weeks of speculation (and perhaps the worst kept secret in the world), the newest Time Lord has been announced. The answer to Doctor Who will now be Jodie Whittaker, the 13th Doctor on the long-running BBC drama. Whittaker, who has reached considerable fame on ITV’s crime drama Broadchurch, will replace Peter Capaldi, who announced in January that he was leaving the program. Chris Chibnall, Doctor Who’s new executive producer, said: “After months of lists, conversations, auditions, recalls, and a lot of secret-keeping, we’re excited to welcome Jodie Whittaker as the 13th Doctor. 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 13th Doctor is on her way.”

Whittaker was appropriately pumped. “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.”

Emily Cook, editorial assistant at Doctor Who magazine was also elated. “She will bring a freshness. She is younger than Peter Capaldi and, being a woman, she will have a different approach to the role. It’s completely new territory for the show and that is very exciting. Whittaker has worked with David Tennant on Broadchurch and St. Trinian’s so there is a strong Doctor Who connection there.”

Capaldi, who has already completed his last regular-season run, will star as the Doctor one more time in this year's Christmas Special, which will also feature David Bradley as the First Doctor.

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