Thirteenth Doctor

The Doctor
The Thirteenth Doctor
Doctor Who character
Jodie Whittaker as the Thirteenth Doctor
First regular appearance "The Woman Who Fell to Earth" (2018)
Portrayed by Jodie Whittaker
Preceded by Peter Capaldi
Information
Tenure 25 December 2017 – present
No of series 1
Appearances 2 stories (2 episodes)
Companions
  • Graham O'Brien
  • Ryan Sinclair
  • Yasmin Khan
Chronology
Series Series 11 (2018)
Previous version Twelfth Doctor

The Thirteenth Doctor is the current incarnation of the Doctor, the fictional protagonist of the BBC science fiction television programme Doctor Who. She is portrayed by English actress Jodie Whittaker, the first woman to portray the character in the series. In the show's narrative, the Doctor is a time travelling, humanoid alien from a race known as "the Time Lords". To account for actors' departure from the series, the programme introduced the narrative concept of regeneration, a means for a Time Lord to gain a new appearance and a distinct new personality when the Doctor approaches the end of the current incarnation.

Whittaker appeared for the first time as the Thirteenth Doctor at the end of the 2017 Christmas special, "Twice Upon a Time", and stars as the Doctor from 2018, starting with the programme's eleventh series.

Casting

Jodie Whittaker portrays the Thirteenth Doctor.

In January 2016, Steven Moffat announced that he would leave the show after the tenth series; he is set to be replaced by new showrunner Chris Chibnall. Peter Capaldi confirmed a year later that the tenth series would be his last, too. Following this news, several media reports and bookmakers had speculated as to who would replace Capaldi as the Thirteenth Doctor. Bookmakers' favourites included Ben Whishaw,[1][2][3] Phoebe Waller-Bridge,[4] Kris Marshall,[5] and Tilda Swinton.[6]

Casting a woman

The concept of a female Doctor was first mentioned in 1981, when Tom Baker suggested his successor might be female, after announcing the end of his tenure as the Fourth Doctor.[7][8] Producer John Nathan-Turner later discussed the possibility of casting a woman as the Sixth Doctor to replace the departing Peter Davison's Fifth Doctor, claiming it was feasible but not something he was considering at the moment.[9] In October 1986, during the transmission of Colin Baker's final season as the Sixth Doctor, series creator Sydney Newman wrote to BBC Controller Michael Grade, with a suggestion that "at a later stage Doctor Who should be metamorphosed into a woman". Dawn French, Joanna Lumley, and Frances de la Tour were suggested by Newman in 1986 for the role, but were dismissed by the BBC.[10][11][12] Lumley later appeared as a satirical version of the Thirteenth Doctor in the 1999 Comic Relief special The Curse of Fatal Death. Arabella Weir also played an alternate Third Doctor in the Doctor Who Unbound Big Finish episode Exile. Neither portrayal is typically considered to be within the show's main continuity.[13] Producer Jane Tranter also considered casting Judi Dench as the Ninth Doctor.[14][15] Helen Mirren was suggested for the role of the Twelfth Doctor.[16][16][15]

The concept of Time Lords changing sex upon regeneration was seeded throughout Moffat's tenure as showrunner. In the 2011 episode "The Doctor's Wife", the Doctor recalls a Time Lord acquaintance known as the Corsair, who had at least two female incarnations.[17] In the 2013 short "Night of the Doctor", the Sisterhood of Karn offer a dying Eighth Doctor (Paul McGann) control over his inevitable regeneration, with "man or woman" being touted as possibilities.[18] The first on-screen cross-gender regeneration was shown in the 2015 episode "Hell Bent", in which a white male Gallifreyan general (Ken Bones) regenerates into a black woman (T'Nia Miller), who states that her previous incarnation was the only time she had been a man.[19]

The most notable Time Lord to have appeared in both male and female forms prior to Whittaker's casting is the Doctor's nemesis, The Master, portrayed from 2014 to 2017 by Scottish actress Michelle Gomez. This character was known as Missy, short for "Mistress".[20] The tenth series finale, "World Enough and Time" / "The Doctor Falls", addresses cross-gender regeneration several times; the Doctor tells his companion Bill Potts (Pearl Mackie) that Missy was "his first man-crush," and adds that he is only "fairly sure" he himself was male at the time, although the remark may have been flippant.[21]

Casting Whittaker

When referring to whether the new Doctor would be a woman, incoming Doctor Who showrunner Chris Chibnall originally was quoted in February 2017, as saying, "Nothing is ruled out but I don't want the casting to be a gimmick and that's all I can say".[22] On 14 July 2017, the BBC announced that the portrayer of the Thirteenth Doctor would be revealed after the 2017 Wimbledon Championships men's finals on 16 July 2017. Immediately after the announcement, Death in Paradise actor Kris Marshall was the bookmakers' favourite at 4/6,[23] although twenty-four hours later, Jodie Whittaker, notable for her role as Beth Latimer in Chibnall's crime drama Broadchurch, had become the favourite at 5/4.[24] Whittaker was introduced as the Thirteenth Doctor on 16 July and subsequently made her debut in the 2017 Christmas special "Twice Upon a Time".[25][26] On Whittaker's casting, Chibnall said, "I always knew I wanted the Thirteenth Doctor to be a woman and we're thrilled to have secured our number one choice. Her audition for The Doctor simply blew us all away."[27] Later on in his statement, Chibnall called Whittaker "an in-demand, funny, inspiring, super-smart force of nature" and said that she "will bring loads of wit, strength and warmth to the role."

Characterisation

Interviewed by Radio Times, Chibnall described the Thirteenth Doctor as "absolutely the Doctor, but there's a new calibration, a new mixture of Doctorishness. The Thirteenth Doctor is incredibly lively, warm, funny, energetic, inclusive – she's the greatest friend you could wish to have as your guide around the universe." In the same article, Whitaker also added that her Doctor "speak(s) at a hundred miles an hour," while actress Mandip Gill who plays companion Yasmin Khan, commented that Whittaker's Doctor "has a similar energy to Matt Smith's Doctor ... Very high energy. Jodie has that about her Doctor."[28]

Costume

First images of Whittaker's costume as the Doctor were released to the media on 9 November 2017. Her costume features blue high-waisted culottes with yellow braces, a navy blue shirt with a rainbow stripe across it, a lilac-blue[29] coat, brown lace-up boots, blue socks and piercings on her left ear.[30] Some fans noted that the outfit had similarities to earlier Doctors' costumes, with others comparing it to Robin Williams' costume in the American sitcom Mork & Mindy.[31]

Reception

Fan reaction to Whittaker's casting was largely positive, although a minority were unhappy.[32] Some said that a female Doctor would be a good role model for young girls, while others felt the Doctor was only ever meant to be male, or criticised the casting as an exercise in political correctness.[33][34][35] During the Doctor Who panel at the 2017 San Diego Comic Con International, outgoing showrunner Steven Moffat denied there had been a "backlash" over Whittaker's casting, and said there was "80% approval on social media". Moffat commented, "It strikes me that Doctor Who fans are more excited about the idea of a brilliant actress playing the part, than the fact she's a woman. It's been incredibly progressive and enlightened".[36]

Guardian journalist Zoe Williams described Whittaker's casting as "the revolutionary feminist we need right now", lauding the decision as "the difference between tolerating modernity and embodying it". Williams compared the casting of a female Doctor to other examples of the show breaking "cultural taboo[s]", mentioning companions Captain Jack Harkness (John Barrowman) and Bill Potts (Pearl Mackie) as examples of the show's diversity.[37]

The world we live in has a history of male domination, of stereotyping, of resistance to change, of playing it safe. Doctor Who has never been about that. The Doctor in all his incarnations has always been a passionate defender of justice, equality, fairness and resisted those who seek to dominate or destroy.

—Colin Baker, 17 July 2017[38]

Reaction among former Doctor Who actors was positive. Colin Baker, who portrayed the Sixth Doctor, quoting his own character in his introductory stories The Caves of Androzani and The Twin Dilemma, tweeted "Change my dears and not a moment too soon—she IS the Doctor whether you like it or not!".[33] In an opinion piece for The Guardian, Baker wrote that he had "never been able to think of any logical reason" why the Doctor could not be a woman, and described himself as "shocked" that some fans of the show were vowing not to watch again due to Whittaker's casting.[38] Conversely, Peter Davison, who portrayed the Fifth Doctor, stated that the casting could mean "loss of a role model for boys". Nevertheless, he noted that Whittaker is a "terrific actress" and would do "a wonderful job" in the role.[39][40] Tom Baker, who portrayed the Fourth Doctor, reacted positively to the news. However, he warned that if the audience loses interest, then Whittaker should be replaced. He said "I think it might be quite nice to have a woman. But you just test it. If the audience don't like it then just kill her off. Nobody has ever failed by the way, nobody has, it's just how it is."[41] Freema Agyeman, who played the character Martha Jones between 2007 and 2010, said she was "astounded" by the negative reception from some fans and that the show's history of change was key to its strength and longevity.[42] Former cast members Christopher Eccleston, David Tennant, Billie Piper, Karen Gillan and John Barrowman reacted positively to the news.[43][44]

Appearances

The Thirteenth Doctor made her debut in the closing moments of "Twice Upon a Time", the 2017 Christmas special.[2] In October 2017, the BBC announced that Bradley Walsh, Mandip Gill and Tosin Cole had been cast as companions Graham O'Brien, Yasmin Khan and Ryan Sinclair respectively for the eleventh series and appear alongside Whittaker in late 2018.[45][46]

References

  1. ↑ Dowell, Ben (22 January 2016). "Doctor Who showrunner Steven Moffat quits to be replaced by Broadchurch creator Chris Chibnall". Radio Times. Retrieved 1 July 2017.
  2. 1 2 Doran, Sarah (30 January 2017). "Peter Capaldi confirms he's leaving Doctor Who at the end of series 10". Radio Times. Retrieved 30 January 2017.
  3. ↑ Jack Shepherd (31 January 2017). "Next Doctor Who odds: Ben Whishaw bookies favourite to replace Peter Capaldi, followed by Richard Ayoade". The Independent. Retrieved 14 February 2017.
  4. ↑ "Doctor Who: Phoebe Waller-Bridge is now the joint favourite". Den of Geek. Retrieved 9 April 2017.
  5. ↑ Roz Laws (11 February 2017). "Aston Villa fan is new favourite to become next Doctor Who". Birmingham Mail. Retrieved 14 February 2017.
  6. ↑ Rob Moran (17 February 2017). "TildaSwinton is favourite to become the next Doctor Who". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 25 February 2017.
  7. ↑ Johnston, Rich (15 July 2017). "Doctor Who: As Jodie Whittaker Becomes The New Favourite, All Rumors Point To A Female Doctor". bleedingcool.com. Bleeding Cool. Retrieved 7 August 2017. It was Tom Baker who first publicly mooted that the actor who could replace him in the role of The Doctor would be an actress
  8. ↑ Radio Times staff. "Is there going to be a female Doctor?". radiotimes.com. Radio Times. Retrieved 7 August 2017. since 1981 when the outgoing Tom Baker mischievously answered the question about his successor, "you're making the presumption it's going to be a man."
  9. ↑ Riley, Alasdair (29 July 1983). "After Dr Who… Dr Her?". Daily Star.
  10. ↑ Horne, Marc (October 10, 2010). "How Doctor Who nearly became the Time Lady". The Daily Telegraph. Telegraph Media Group. Retrieved April 13, 2017.
  11. ↑ Peck, Matthew Wace (October 10, 2010). "Joanna Lumley was set to be the first female Doctor Who". Digital Journal. digitaljournal.com. Retrieved April 13, 2017.
  12. ↑ Peck, Matthew Wace (August 3, 2013). "Op-Ed: Is the new Doctor Who a woman?". Digital Journal. digitaljournal.com. Retrieved April 13, 2017.
  13. ↑ Peck, Matthew Wace (3 August 2013). "Op-Ed: Is the new Doctor Who a woman?". Digital Journal. digitaljournal.com. Retrieved 13 April 2017.
  14. ↑ BBC Wanted Tom Baker or Judi Dench for Doctor Who Archived 9 July 2013 at the Wayback Machine.
  15. 1 2 "Joanna Lumley was set to be the first female Doctor Who". 10 October 2017. Retrieved 17 July 2017.
  16. 1 2 Alderman, Naomi (3 June 2013). "Doctor Who: bring on a woman". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 17 July 2017.
  17. ↑ "'Doctor Who': 10 Things You May Not Know About 'The Doctor's Wife' | BBC America". BBC America. Retrieved 17 July 2017.
  18. ↑ "'Doctor Who': Making Sense of 'The Night of the Doctor' | BBC America". BBC America. Retrieved 17 July 2017.
  19. ↑ Martin, Dan (5 December 2015). "Doctor Who, series 35, episode 12 – Hell Bent". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 17 July 2017.
  20. ↑ "Doctor Who Dark Water review: Gender reassignment and life after death launch a challenging finale". RadioTimes. Retrieved 17 July 2017.
  21. ↑ "Doctor Who: Did we all miss clues to the first female Doctor?". RadioTimes. Retrieved 17 July 2017.
  22. ↑ Clarke, Andrew (27 February 2017). "Broadchurch writer Chris Chibnall creates laughs at the New Wolsey". eadt.co.uk. East Anglian Times. Retrieved 18 July 2017.
  23. ↑ "New Doctor Who identity 'leaked' after fans become convinced Kris Marshall will be named as Peter Capaldi's replacement". The Sun. 15 July 2017. Retrieved 18 July 2017.
  24. ↑ "Broadchurch star Jode Whittaker favourite to become first female Doctor Who". The Sun. 15 July 2017. Retrieved 18 July 2017.
  25. ↑ "Doctor Who: Jodie Whittaker is to replace Peter Capaldi in the Time Lord regeneration game". The Telegraph. 16 July 2017. Retrieved 16 July 2017.
  26. ↑ "BBC - The Doctors will return at Christmas - Media Centre". www.bbc.co.uk. Retrieved 18 July 2017.
  27. ↑ "BBC - Introducing Jodie Whittaker - The Thirteenth Doctor - Media Centre". www.bbc.co.uk.
  28. ↑ "Doctor Who: Everything we know about Jodie Whittaker's new Doctor".
  29. ↑ "There's a crucial detail about Jodie Whittaker's Doctor Who costume that everyone missed". Radio Times. Retrieved 2017-11-14.
  30. ↑ "First look at Doctor Who's brand new costume". BBC. 9 November 2017. Retrieved 9 November 2017.
  31. ↑ "Doctor Who: First look at Jodie Whittaker in character". BBC. 9 November 2017. Retrieved 9 November 2017.
  32. ↑ "How Jodie Whittaker 'missed' fan reactions to Doctor Who role". BBC News. 7 August 2017. Retrieved 10 December 2017.
  33. 1 2 "Doctor Who: Fans react to Jodie Whittaker casting". BBC News. 17 July 2017. Retrieved 17 July 2017.
  34. ↑ Sturgis, India (17 July 2017). "The good, bad and ugly responses to Jodie Whittaker as the new Dr Who". The Telegraph. Retrieved 5 December 2017.
  35. ↑ "Doctor Who fans defend Jodie Whittaker over 'hate speech' attacks". Birmingham Mail. 17 July 2017. Retrieved 17 October 2017.
  36. ↑ "Steven Moffat tells journalists to "shut the hell up" over casting of Thirteenth Doctor Jodie Whittaker". Radio Times.
  37. ↑ Williams, Zoe (17 July 2017). "A female Doctor? She's the revolutionary feminist we need right now". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 18 July 2017.
  38. 1 2 Baker, Colin (17 July 2017). "I was the Doctor and I'm over the moon that at last we have a female lead". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 18 July 2017.
  39. ↑ Horton, Helena (2017-07-21). "Former Doctor Who Peter Davison says casting of woman means 'loss of role model for boys'". The Telegraph. ISSN 0307-1235. Retrieved 2017-10-31.
  40. ↑ "Two former Doctors clash over Jodie Whittaker casting". BBC. 21 July 2017. Retrieved 21 October 2017.
  41. ↑ "Tom Baker: Jodie Whittaker should get chop if she's a flop". The List. 2017-07-19. Retrieved 2017-08-10.
  42. ↑ "Two former Doctors clash over Jodie Whittaker casting". BBC News. 21 July 2017. Retrieved 21 July 2017.
  43. ↑ "Christopher Eccleston Fully Approves of Jodie Whittaker as the New Doctor". Lorraine.
  44. ↑ "Karen Gillan is EXTREMELY excited about Doctor Who's new star Jodie Whittaker". Radio Times.
  45. ↑ "Doctor Who: Bradley Walsh, Tosin Cole, Mandip Gill and Sharon D Clarke join Jodie Whittaker as regular cast members". Radio Times. 22 October 2017. Retrieved 22 October 2017.
  46. ↑ McHenry, Jackson (19 July 2018). "Jodie Whittaker Wakes Up in Doctor Who's Comic-Con Trailer". Vulture. Retrieved 20 July 2018.
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