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.
I always knew I wanted the 13th 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 13th Doctor is on her way.
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.
1. What does it feel like to be the Thirteenth Doctor?
It’s very nerve-racking, as it’s been so secret!
2. Why did you want the role?
To be asked to play the ultimate character, to get to play pretend in the truest form: this is why I wanted to be an actor in the first place. To be able to play someone who is literally reinvented on screen, with all the freedoms that brings - what an unbelievable opportunity. And added to that, to be the first woman in that role.
3. Has it been hard to keep the secret?
Yes. Very hard! I’ve told a lot of lies! I’ve embroiled myself in a whole world of lies which is going to come back at me when this is announced!
4. Who was the first person you told when you got the role?
My husband. Because I was allowed to!
5. Did you have a codename and if so what was it?
In my home, and with my agent, it was The Clooney. Because to me and my husband, George is an iconic guy. And we thought, what’s a really famous iconic name? It was just fitting.
6. What does it feel like to be the first woman Doctor?
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.
7. What do you want to tell the fans?
I want to tell the fans not to be scared by my gender. Because 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.
8. What are you most excited about?
I’m most excited about becoming part of a family I didn’t even know existed. I was born in 1982 - it’s been around longer than me, and it’s a family I couldn’t ever have dreamed I’d be part of.
9. How did Chris sell you the part?
We had a strange chat earlier this year where he tricked me into thinking we were talking about Broadchurch. And I started to quiz him about his new job in Wales, and asked him if I could be a baddie! And he quickly diverted the conversation to suggest I should consider auditioning to be the 13th Clooney.
It was the most incredible chat because I asked every question under the sun, and I said I’d take a few weeks to decide whether I was going to audition. He got a phone call within 24 hours. He would’ve got a phone call sooner, but my husband was away and there was a time difference!
10. Did he persuade you?
No. There was no persuasion needed. If you need to be persuaded to do this part, you’re not right for this part, and the part isn’t right for you. I also think, for anyone taking this on, you have to want to fight for it, which I certainly had to do. I know there will have been some phenomenal actors who threw their hats in the ring.
11. What are you going to wear?
I don’t know yet.
12. Is that your costume in the filmed sequence which introduced you as the new Doctor?
No.
13. Have any of the other Doctors given you advice?
Well they can’t because they haven’t known until now, but I’m certainly expecting a couple of calls - I’ve got a couple of mates in there. I’m mates with a companion [Arthur Darvill], I’m mates with a trio of Doctors. I know Matt Smith, Chris Eccleston and obviously David Tennant. Oh! And let’s throw in David Bradley! Four Doctors! So I’m hoping I get some calls of advice.
DML wrote:The Watching Artist wrote:My main issue with casting a woman is how I refer to the Doctor now. At least by calling the Master Missy it made it a little easier.
I wonder if being a woman will affect some people's tolerance of the Doctors twattishness. In my experience people tend to put up with a lot more of it from males. See Star Trek.
Doctors can be female...
Hexx wrote:Ad7 is older and balder than I thought.
Ad7 wrote:People are really pissed about this, in this day and age
Garth wrote:Hopefully there'll be a 5.5" action figure for the 13th Doctor for my collection, getting a bit tired of Character's incompetence over the last couple of years though. For some reason they randomly gave their latest 12th Doctor figures massively oversized feet, even though they already have versions of him with properly sized feet, and they still haven't released a version of him in his first outfit, they only did it in the awful 3.75" scale! [/rant]
DML wrote:Garth wrote:Hopefully there'll be a 5.5" action figure for the 13th Doctor for my collection, getting a bit tired of Character's incompetence over the last couple of years though. For some reason they randomly gave their latest 12th Doctor figures massively oversized feet, even though they already have versions of him with properly sized feet, and they still haven't released a version of him in his first outfit, they only did it in the awful 3.75" scale! [/rant]
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