'Doctor Who': The new FEMALE Doctor

With Christmas fast approaching, who could blame us for looking ahead at what's to come for UK TV. Here at Movie'n'Co, we're most looking forward to the 'Doctor Who' Christmas special entitled, 'Twice Upon a Time'. Not only are we restless to catch up with the Doctor, but we're also incredibly excited to see new female Doctor, played by Jodie Whittaker, in action.

Jodie will play the 13th version of the Doctor, and the first female of the lot. As with big changes, there've been a lot of mixed views on the casting, but for the most part, the fans received the actress with open arms. The actress has since spoken out on the casting.

"As a young girl, I did not think that 'Time Lord' would ever be on my CV", opened Whittaker, upon speaking with Rolling Stone. The actress mentioned how she auditioned against many other talents before she was finally awarded the role. Despite her delight at getting to portray the Doctor, Whittaker believes her gender has nothing to do with her character: "I'm playing an alien, and gender is not a part of that... Being the first woman cast as something, it makes you really think about your sex, whereas actually what you want to do is play a part where your gender is irrelevant. I am a woman, so I don't need to play that. And so for me, this was the most freeing experience because there's no right or wrong way to do it."

Whittaker is due to take over the role from 12th Doctor, Peter Capaldi, who has been in the role for 3 seasons. The takeover, or regeneration, as it is known the the 'Doctor Who' universe, will take place during the 2017 Christmas special, which will also feature the first ever Doctor, originally played by William Hartnell. The first incarnation will instead be played by David Bradley this Christmas.

Steven Moffat, the current executive producer of the show will also be passing on the baton, to Matt Strevens and Chris Chibnall, the latter will take up the role of head writer too. Chibnall, who has previously worked with Jodie Whittaker on 'Broadchurch' spoke to The Guardian stating: "I always knew I wanted the 13th Doctor to be a woman." Despite Whittaker's insistence that her casting is separate to her gender, the significance of a female Doctor is too much for some. Emily Cook, who works for the 'Doctor Who' magazine said, "being a woman, she will have a different approach to the role. It's completely new territory for the show and that is very exciting".

Not everyone is happy with the drastic change however, an editor for 'Doctor Who' online, for example, mentioned how "the Doctor is and should be a man". For others however, it has become apparent that it's never possible to please everyone. "People complained that Capaldi was too old", claimed Metro, which only emphasises The Telegraph's point, about how the various Doctors we've seen "don't always have to tick the same box, and that's what's really incredible about it".

The reluctance of some to accept the 13th Doctor as female most likely stems from their fear that the show will change. Over many years, whilst the Doctor has always been male, his companions have either been made up of a group of characters, or a lone female. In the upcoming 11th season with Jodie Whittaker however, it is becoming increasingly more likely that we'll see a sole male companion, at least that's what The Vox had to report.

The Huffington Post seems to have perfectly encapsulated the whole ensemble: "The very fact that the title is 'Doctor Who' is indicative of the changing nature of this protagonist. It is not called 'Doctor Him' or 'Doctor Who must only be a male doctor'. You see, 'Doctor Who' is actually a question and the BBC has now given us 13 different answers."

Twitter speaks out

When asked by The Telegraph whether she'd received any support from previous 'Doctor Who' cast members, Whittaker responded with "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."

Some of the previous 'Doctor Who' companions showed their support for Whittaker on Twitter.

YES ? xx

? Billie Piper (@billiepiper) July 16, 2017