Jodie Whittaker to ask Broadchurch co-stars David Tennant and Arthur Darvill for Doctor Who advice
The new Doctor is already looking up all her Doctor Who contacts – including soon-to-be First Doctor David Bradley...
Jodie Whittaker will be the new leading lady of Doctor Who, the 13th actor to guide viewers through adventures in time and space.
And she’s certainly got a big Tardis to fill: the Broadchurch actor follows applauded Doctors Peter Capaldi, Matt Smith, David Tennant and Christopher Eccleston (and that's just the new generation). Perhaps the previous incarnations of the character could offer some Gallifreyan words of wisdom to the incoming Time Lord?
That’s what Whittaker is hoping for. When asked if any Doctor Who stars have given her advice after the casting was announced yesterday, Whittaker said: “I’m certainly expecting a couple of calls – I’ve got a couple of mates [on the show]. I’m mates with a companion [Broadchurch's Arthur Darvill], I’m mates with a trio of Doctors.
“I know Matt Smith, Chris Eccleston and obviously David Tennant [from Broadchurch]. Oh! And let’s throw in David Bradley [also from Broadchurch]! Four Doctors! So I’m hoping I get some calls of advice.”
And while we're sure the former Doctors will be happy to impart their top Time Lord tips to Whittaker, we’re just left wondering when they’ll call from. Remember, as Clara found out in Capaldi's first episode, the Doc's got a habit of ringing out of his time...
Whittaker also said that she was delighted to become the first female Doctor and mark such a milestone in the sci-fi show’s history. "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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Authors
Thomas is Digital editor at BBC Science Focus. Writing about everything from cosmology to anthropology, he specialises in the latest psychology, health and neuroscience discoveries. Thomas has a Masters degree (distinction) in Magazine Journalism from the University of Sheffield and has written for Men’s Health, Vice and Radio Times. He has been shortlisted as the New Digital Talent of the Year at the national magazine Professional Publishers Association (PPA) awards. Also working in academia, Thomas has lectured on the topic of journalism to undergraduate and postgraduate students at The University of Sheffield.