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Nothing to fear, says Jodie Whittaker.

Online UK poll finds wide support for BBC casting a female as the next Doctor.

An online poll in the UK shows wide support for Jodie Whittaker as the next Doctor in Doctor Who.

Out of over 12,000 people who voted, only 1,978 people called the decision to cast a female Doctor “terrible”. By contrast, over 40 per cent of those polled by contrast called the decision “fantastic”, with another 43 per cent saying they would wait to see her first episode before jumping to conclusions.

“I want to tell the fans not to be scared by my gender,” said Whittaker. “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.

“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.

“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.”

Whittaker also explained how she had to use a codename when discussing the role with her agent.

“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!” said Whittaker.

“In my home, and with my agent, it was The Clooney”, she revealed. “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.”

Doctor Who stars past & present all embraced the casting announcement including Peter Capaldi, Colin Baker, Freema Agyeman, Pearl Mackie, Billie Piper, Karen Gillan, Jenna Coleman, Mark Gatiss, John Barowman and Matt Lucas.

Source: Radio Times

4 Responses

  1. I love how the clueless British media are making comments about how the show’s UK ratings have been “in decline” in recent years and that this change will “arrest” that decline. Ummm, hello! The ratings of *everything* have been in decline in recent years, purely because complete viewing figures can no longer be captured accurately anywhere! Idiots.

  2. Nothing to fear,says Whittaker.I find it extraordinary that she would even have to say that in this day and age.

    Anyway,i’m sure she’ll do just fine in the part and wish her well.I look forward to seeing her in the next series.

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