Jodie Whittaker Announced as Next Doctor Who and Twitter Responds in Typical Twitter Fashion
The future is female indeed!
Written by Stefan Sykes, journalism student at Cornell University. Interested in guest blogging for United By Pop?
Like the character of James Bond, the character of the Doctor has always been played by a man. The popular British television show ‘Doctor Who’ saw its inception nearly 50 years ago, and since then it has followed and not dare stray away from its flagship formula of having a male play the part of the Doctor with a female playing the part of his loyal sidekick.
The BBC, in an unprecedented move, has finally decided that it’s time to try something new. The network revealed that actress Jodie Whitetaker will assume the role of the time-traveling Doctor, marking the first time in the show’s history that the titular character is played by a female.
Whittaker replaces Peter Calpadi, who portrayed the time-traveling Doctor for the last three years of the show’s run. Whittaker will be the 13th iteration of the character in the show’s long-awaited upcoming 11th season.
As most casting decisions do, the decision to cast Whittaker as the next Doctor warranted mixed reactions from fans of the show.
Many embraced BBC’s announcement and were excited to see the show head in a new direction.
Talented actress takes over male dominated role and the ignorant sexists kick off. Superb work BBC. Also, excellent appointment.
— Andrew Musgrove (@ADMusgrove) July 16, 2017
https://twitter.com/ atruedrwhofan/status/886608661006757888
Women are ghostbusters.
Women are superheroes.
Women are doctors.#getoverit #DoctorWho13— isabella (@Isa_Gleek_HP) July 16, 2017
No fictional character is 'ruined' by being a woman, because being a woman isn't a downgrade. #DoctorWho13
— Emily Cadwalader (@EmilyCadwalader) July 16, 2017
On the other hand, many were outspoken about their unhappiness with BBC’s decision to cast Whittaker
https://twitter.com/Loucorr/status/886653855139844096
Let me guess her companion will be disabled gay and black to please the lot of them
— Bob middle (@Hullsportsfanfc) July 16, 2017
Am more surprised the bbc didn't chose a Black transgender lesbian Muslim. They could tick all the PC boxes with that one.
— Michael Cross (@mjcross70) July 16, 2017
Totally predictable…. crashingly boring, hugely disappointing, it's really difficult these days to underestimate enough, those at the BBC!
— stuart lee (@BevStui) July 16, 2017
In an interview with the BBC, Whittaker said that it is an “honor” to play the role of the Doctor. She also added that she hopes that fans of the show will welcome the change that comes along with a new, female Doctor. “This is a really exciting time, and ‘Doctor Who’ represents everything that’s exciting about change,” she said. “The fans have lived through so many changes, and this is only a new, different one, not a fearful one.”
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