Yesterday, the BBC announced the appointment of Jodie Whittaker as the first ever female Doctor Who, which was exciting news for many of us so used to seeing men take centre stage on our screens.
Meet the Thirteenth Doctor #DoctorWho #Doctor13 pic.twitter.com/txHGz9tJEe
— Doctor Who Official (@bbcdoctorwho) July 16, 2017
Whittaker, who rose to fame in ITV's acclaimed crime drama Broadchurch, will be the 13th person to take on the role in the cult BBC1 show and the first woman in its 54-year, 800-episode 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," Whittaker said.
She also reassured fans to "not be scared" by her gender, reported the Radio Times. "Because this is a really exciting time, and Doctor Who represents everything that's exciting about change." She continued: "The fans have lived through so many changes, and this is only a new, different one, not a fearful one."
But despite her game-changing achievement, there were, of course, people ready and waiting on social media to take her down, with many criticising the BBC for trying to appease the "PC brigade" and others even announcing they were boycotting the show. The times may be a-changin', but the trolls most certainly are not.
No the character is a man not a woman! as usual the BBC have to muddy the waters through political correctness that's what they do!
— Clive Walton (@Clive_955I) July 16, 2017
I trust her companion will be a disabled transgender, asexual, Muslim, Afro Caribbean gay all rolled into one to keep the PC BBC happy
— Sick of tolerance (@Do228BN2T) July 16, 2017
Sorry this is so called equality, women's rights, political correctness gone mad-Dr Who was written/created as a man! End of #jodiewhittaker
— David Stephens (@davros_stephano) July 16, 2017
However, many others were ready and waiting to tackle the trolls with that most powerful of weapons: sarcasm.
Your dad thinks Dr Who being a woman spoils the realism of someone travelling space & time in a phonebox fighting bins with plungers on them
— Jonny Sharples (@JonnyGabriel) July 16, 2017
boy if people are mad about the doctor who casting
— me (@etdragonpunch) July 16, 2017
wait until they find out regular doctors can be women
Oh great a female Doctor Who. What next? Female real doctors? Female pilots? Female scientists? Female sisters and mothers? Female WOMEN?!
— m@®|{ µø₽₽û§🏳️🌈 (@markhoppus) July 16, 2017
What's the betting #DoctorWho is still addressed as Mrs Who when checking into hotels...
— Greg Jenner (@greg_jenner) July 16, 2017
A female Doctor Who? What is next, nations and societies which do not systematically reduce women to second-class citizens across the world?
— Bruce Arthur (@bruce_arthur) July 16, 2017
Plenty of others were just plain overjoyed – with many, including young kids (girls especially), struggling to contain their emotion.
My daughter watching the #DoctorWho announcement. #doctor13 #DoctorWho13 pic.twitter.com/eX0w1rW4E9
— 🏳️🌈Jenny Trout (@Jenny_Trout) July 16, 2017
My 8-year-old daughter pumped her fist and shouted "yes!" when the new @bbcdoctorwho was revealed.Think that tells you all you need to know.
— David Owens (@asoundreaction) July 16, 2017
WE HAVE TAKEN YOUR GHOSTBUSTERS AND STAR WARS AND SUPERHEROES AND DOCTOR WHO NOTHING IS SACRED WE WILL DEFILE IT ALL WITH OUR WOMANLY HANDS
— grace ✨ GOT spoilers (@andlivefromny) July 16, 2017
The doctor is a WOMAN! WOMAN! WE HAVE A FEMALE DOCTOR! YES! FINALLY! #doctor13 pic.twitter.com/DEESlXhM5n
— dani. (@miasthermopolis) July 16, 2017
Wow. I don't even watch #DrWho & this made me choke up a little. I will def be tuning in #DoctorWho #Doctor13 #JodieWhittaker
— carla joanne🕊🌎 (@TheOneHeLuvs) July 16, 2017
I'll be able to buy my 5 year old niece Doctor Who merchandise where the woman is at the front. In charge. Not a companion. The Doctor. Fab.
— Susan Calman (@SusanCalman) July 16, 2017
Even Nicola Sturgeon felt the news was momentous enough to address.
Welcome, Madam #doctorwho.
— Nicola Sturgeon (@NicolaSturgeon) July 16, 2017
We'll be tuning in – and not just to anger the keyboard warriors, but because Whittaker is a truly great choice. Bravo, BBC.
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