Twitter reacts to Jodie Whittaker as female Doctor Who
Actors John Boyega and Riz Ahmed join fightback against sexist criticism
Broadchurch and Black Mirror star Jodie Whittaker has been unveiled as the new Doctor Who, in a short teaser clip broadcast after the Wimbledon men's finals:
There had already been much chatter about the possibility of a female Doctor, with Fleabag actress Phoebe Waller Bridge the bookies' favourite before the big reveal.
Regardless, the news that the Time Lord would be taking the form of a woman for the first time in the show's history drew predictable fire from detractors:
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Luckily, Whittaker had more than a few defenders in high places, including Star Wars leading man John Boyega. The British actor tweeted that he was "so proud" of his Attack the Block co-star.
Actor and MC Riz Ahmed, who featured Whittaker in the music video for his song All Of You, also tweeted his support:
In fact, the majority of the fandom appeared to embrace the choice of Thirteenth Doctor and called on fellow viewers to throw their support behind Whittaker:
Others mocked the objections to a female Doctor with their own complaints about Whittaker's unsuitability for the role:
There were also a few tongue-in-cheek guesses at what obstacles a female Doctor might encounter:
Many Whovians simply shrugged off the backlash, noting that the programme's fandom has never been one to embrace change:
Still, one joker observed, all the online vitriol might actually serve a positive purpose:
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Geoff Capes obituary: shot-putter who became the World’s Strongest Man
In the Spotlight The 'mighty figure' was a two-time Commonwealth Champion and world-record holder
By The Week UK Published
-
Israel attacks Iran: a 'limited' retaliation
Talking Point Iran's humiliated leaders must decide how to respond to Netanyahu's measured strike
By The Week UK Published
-
Crossword: November 2, 2024
The Week's daily crossword puzzle
By The Week Staff Published
-
Doctor Who: 73 Yards – a 'stone-cold classic piece of British TV sci-fi'
The Week Recommends Millie Gibson steals the limelight in this 'genuinely disturbing' episode
By Irenie Forshaw, The Week UK Published
-
Polyamory is having a moment(s)
Why Everyone's Talking About The latest in loving more — and those who want less of it
By Scott Hocker, The Week US Published
-
The celebrity winners of 2023
Why everyone's talking about Girl power's still got it as Taylor Swift, Barbie and Britney all come out on top
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
TV to watch in December, from 'Percy Jackson and the Olympians' to 'What If...?'
The Week Recommends Spend your December with Mr. D and Dr. Who
By Brendan Morrow, The Week US Published
-
Doctor Who: 60 years of time-travelling tomfoolery
Why Everyone's Talking About Special episodes celebrate show's past as Whovians look forward to new seasons ahead
By Julia O'Driscoll, The Week UK Published
-
From 'thunks' to mixed reality, the future of books is interactive
The Explainer What is in store for literature in an increasingly digital world?
By Theara Coleman, The Week US Published
-
Ncuti Gatwa: ‘stratospheric rise’ from couch-surfer to Doctor Who
Why Everyone’s Talking About The 29-year-old Sex Education star will be the first black actor to play the Time Lord full time
By The Week Staff Published
-
If Trump returns to Twitter, he'll win every news cycle
Talking Point
By Joel Mathis Published