The good, bad and ugly responses to Jodie Whittaker as the new Dr Who
In an announcement that stunned Whovians worldwide, it was revealed by the BBC yesterday that actor Peter Capaldi would be replaced by Jodie Whittaker as the 13th Dr Who.
This means that, for the first time in the show's 54-year history, a woman will be at the helm of the Tardis.
Loyal fans of the Time-Lord have reacted with the full spectrum of emotion, from anger and disbelief to jubilation and enough GIFs and memes to fill an entire cosmos.
Whittaker, 35, previously known for roles in Broadchurch and Black Mirror, will pick up her duties from December in a Christmas special and has already come under an intense scrutiny.
While some are thrilled at her signing, heralding it as another example of why gender shouldn't matter, others are aghast at the appointment from the other half of the population as just another example of 'political correctness gone mad'.
The actor said of her recent appointment: “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.”
Her predecessor, Peter Capaldi, has little doubt that she make an excellent Doctor. “Anyone who has seen Jodie Whittaker’s work will know that she is a wonderful actress of great individuality and charm," he said. "She has above all the huge heart to play this most special part."
Here are some of the best, and most furious, responses from the internet to her appointment.
Some were not happy:
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 sorry, but it's not Doctor Who for me if I don't know his penis could slip out at any moment.
— Matt Roller (@rolldiggity) July 16, 2017
Doctor Who is now a woman. She plans to go on maternity leave in 6 months and return part-time during office hours only. #DoctorWho13
— Katie Hopkins (@KTHopkins) July 16, 2017
Others were more supportive:
An alien who travels through time & space in a phone box, has two hearts and the part you don't find believable is that it's a woman? #DrWho
— Colin Cloud (@Colin_Cloud) July 16, 2017
I love love love Jodie Whittaker. This is amazing news for both the show and women's casting and equality in TV!! Beyond thrilled! #DrWho13
— David Sutton-Ball (@davidball1978) July 16, 2017
And stood up to the naysayers:
I see the point. As a kid (girl) I really wanted a female doctor who. It's a great idea & will be an inspiration to kids everywhere.
— Tansy Kelly Robson (@Artemisapphire) July 16, 2017
Some used sarcasm:
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
Some posted videos of their children reacting to the news....
My daughter watching the #DoctorWho announcement. #doctor13#DoctorWho13pic.twitter.com/eX0w1rW4E9
— ��️��Jenny Trout (@Jenny_Trout) July 16, 2017
Some used it as an excuse to broach other topics..
Lot of folks who have never cared about Dr. Who before are suddenly very concerned. Maybe we should announce that climate change is a woman.
— Carol Hartsell (@carolrhartsell) July 16, 2017
Or have a pop at politicians:
I hear they offered #DrWho to Jacob Rees-Mogg, but he turned it down when they refused to rename it Dr Whom.
— Richard Coles (@RevRichardColes) July 16, 2017