Long-running sci-fi series “Doctor Who” made a surprising announcement when it revealed its 13th doctor.
The show’s current iteration, which has been running since 2005, named a woman, Jodie Whittaker, as its newest galaxy-hopping alien.
Some fans were skeptical about their favorite character being played by—gasp—the opposite gender. Apparently, the idea of a woman playing the role of a fictional, time-traveling alien from another planet was ludicrous:
“But an immortal, time-traveling, regenerating alien played by a women just isn’t realistic.”
— Victor Puente (@thevictorpuente) July 16, 2017
I don’t know about this
— Timothy Boone (@TCB_TheAdvocate) July 16, 2017
Ruined
— Sam (@FleXyYT) July 16, 2017
Imagine one of your favourite shows but with someone of the opposite gender playing your favourite character(s). Hell.
— Jamie Ghis (@GhisPerrier) July 16, 2017
I’m not watching anymore
— diesel⛽️ (@DanKeeble619) July 16, 2017
This led to reactions on the issue of gender representation in the media and in other fields:
To the people saying a female will ruin the show… a reminder that women have been behind the success of this show since 1963. #DoctorWho pic.twitter.com/2KLCN1o77U
— Lewis John Yule (@LewisJohnY2) July 16, 2017
Its an alien timelord in a fictional television show, they could make it a dog if they wanted
— Jayson Wheatley (@Jaywheatley) July 16, 2017
Oh great a female Doctor Who. What next? Female real doctors? Female pilots? Female scientists? Female sisters and mothers? Female WOMEN?!
— m@®|{ µø₽₽û§🏳️🌈 (@markhoppus) July 16, 2017
Image: Screen grab via Twitter/@bbcdoctorwho
Image: Screen grab via Twitter/@bbcdoctorwho
But this one tweet best shows why the latest “Doctor Who” casting is good news:
My daughter watching the #DoctorWho announcement. #doctor13 #DoctorWho13 pic.twitter.com/eX0w1rW4E9
— 🏳️🌈Jenny Trout (@Jenny_Trout) July 16, 2017
In the hit British show, the Doctor hails from an alien race known as the Time Lords, and tries to save humanity from forces of evil. The race can regenerate when mortally wounded, which means each Time Lord can transform to another person with another personality. This time around, the Doctor just happens to have a feminine form.
Jodie Whittaker is the 13th Doctor. Image: Screen grab via Facebook/@DoctorWho
Whittaker said that the choice to make the Doctor a woman was “overwhelming, as a feminist,” reports BBC. The British actress has starred in the series “Broadchurch” and “Black Mirror”. She succeeds Scottish actor Peter Capaldi who has been playing the lead role since 2013.
“I’m beyond excited to begin this epic journey… with every Whovian on this planet,” said Whittaker. “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.” JB
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