Nearly six months after currentDoctor Whostar Peter Capaldi announced that he ’d be hanging up his Crombie coat at the end of this twelvemonth , fan have been speculating about who would be choose over the TARDIS . On Sunday morning , BBC announce that Jodie Whittaker will become the Thirteenth Doctor — the first distaff leading in the show ’s history .
That ’s not the only major alteration the serial will see when its Christmas Special premieres at the end of this year ; longtime showrunner Steven Moffat is handing off creative duties to Chris Chibnall , who has written several episodes of the series over the past decennary . The teaming of Chibnall and Whittaker will be a familiar one , as the two have spent the preceding several years working onBroadchurch , which Chibnall created and in which Whittaker stars ( its stellar final season is airing on BBC America now ) .
“ I ’m beyond excited to lead off this heroic journey — with Chris and with every Whovian on this planet , " Whittaker read in a statement . " It ’s more than an honor to play the doc . It means remembering everyone I used to be , while stepping forward to embrace everything the Doctor brook for : Bob Hope . I ca n’t wait . ”
“ After months of lists , conversation , audition , recall , and a slew of secret - guardianship , we ’re delirious to welcome Jodie Whittaker as the Thirteenth Doctor , " Chibnall sum up . " I always knew I wanted the Thirteenth Doctor to be a woman and we ’re thrilled to have stop up our number one alternative . Her sense of hearing for The Doctor simply blow us all away . Jodie is an in - demand , funny , inspiring , super - chic force of nature and will add tons of wit , strength and warmth to the function . The Thirteenth Doctor is on her way . ”
Though Whittaker will make chronicle as the first female MD , the idea has been float in the past . When David Tennant parted way with his role as the Tenth Doctor in 2008 , showrunner Russell Daviessaidthat Catherine Zeta - Jones was his first choice to replace him .
When asked what it feels like to be the first woman Doctor , Whittaker say , " It feels completely overwhelming , as a women’s liberationist , as a woman , as an actor , as a human , as someone who wants to continually push themselves and challenge themselves , and not be box in by what you ’re told you’re able to and ca n’t be . It feel unbelievable . "
Fortunately , Whittaker already has a few friends in theDoctor Whofamily who she ’s expecting to hear from at any moment . " I ’m sure as shooting expecting a twosome of telephone call , " she admitted . " I ’ve got a couplet of mates in there . I ’m mates with a familiar [ Arthur Darvill ] , I ’m mates with a trio of MD . I know Matt Smith , Chris Eccleston , and patently David Tennant . Oh ! And lease ’s thrust in David Bradley ! Four Doctors ! So I ’m trust I get some calls of advice . "
Whittaker will make her debut in the 2017 Christmas Special , which will mark Capaldi ’s final episode as the Twelfth Doctor — and he could n’t be more thrilled with his pick of successor .
“ Anyone who has seen Jodie Whittaker ’s body of work will know that she is a wonderful actress of great individuality and appealingness , " Capaldi say . " She has above all the immense heart to represent this most extra part . She ’s going to be a fantastic Doctor . ”
