Jodie Whittaker looks back on “terrifying” backlash from her casting

Jodie Whittaker is getting ready to bid farewell to Doctor Who. “The Power of the Doctor” will mark her final episode as the titular Doctor and pave the way for the next one, played by Sex Education star Ncuti Gatwa.

There is a lot of excitement surrounding the passing of the baton, but the role comes with many challenges. When Jodie Whittaker was cast as the first female Doctor a few years ago, she was met with praise and joy, but there was also a lot of backlash, mostly on account that the character was going to be played by a woman.

Whittaker recently spoke to Radio Times about the “terrifying” backlash that followed the announcement of her casting. More on what she had to say below!

Jodie Whittaker opens up about her “terrifying” Doctor Who experience

“No bras in the TARDIS!” Whittaker said. “Come on! What’s your argument? I’m. Playing. An. Alien! There’s a fine line between the hilarity of it and the fact that it’s terrifying that a woman being given a particular job can cause so much rage. It’s just a tiny vial of rage, of course, but the anger, the negativity, are always the loudest.”

The rage was incredibly real, as I remember talking to friends who were livid about Whittaker’s casting. Many people couldn’t see the point of changing the gender of a lead role that had only ever been played by a male.

Personally, I loved Whittaker’s time as the Doctor! She did a phenomenal job during her tenure and had some of the most memorable, inspiring episodes we’ve seen to date. There was something about the way Whittaker played the Doctor that was poignant and thrilling.

I will certainly miss her, but I look forward to Gatwa taking over. People have had nothing but great things to say about him, and I think he will do a wonderful job bringing his own personality to the part.

“The Power of the Doctor” premieres on Sunday, October 23rd!

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