Doctor Who’s new leading lady Jodie Whittaker wants to assure fans of the beloved sci-fi series that there’s nothing to fear when she takes over the Tardis as the first female Doctor

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“I want to tell the fans not to be scared by my gender,” said Whittaker. "Because this is a really exciting time, and Doctor Who represents everything that’s exciting about change. The fans have lived through so many changes, and this is only a new, different one, not a fearful one.”

The actress, best known to UK TV viewers as Danny Latimer’s mum, Beth, from Chris Chibnall’s Broadchurch – which also stared Tenth Doctor David Tennant – said she didn’t need any convincing when it came to the role.


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“There was no persuasion needed. If you need to be persuaded to do this part, you’re not right for this part, and the part isn’t right for you. I also think, for anyone taking this on, you have to want to fight for it, which I certainly had to do. I know there will have been some phenomenal actors who threw their hats in the ring.”

She's particularly pleased to become the first female Doctor and mark such a milestone in Doctor Who history.

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"It feels completely overwhelming, as a feminist, as a woman, as an actor, as a human, as someone who wants to continually push themselves and challenge themselves, and not be boxed in by what you’re told you can and can’t be. It feels incredible."

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