Jodie Whittaker is proud to be a trailblazer after being cast as the first-ever female Doctor Who.
The 35-year-old actress hit headlines last year (17) when it was revealed she would be replacing Peter Capaldi as the show’s inaugural female Time Lord. While her casting has been met with largely positive feedback, there are those who still argue that the Doctor should be a man. But regardless of her critics, Jodie is thrilled that she’s been given this once in a lifetime opportunity.
“This is the defining moment of my life,” she told Total Film magazine. “I feel old enough for it. And I feel like I understand how important it is, and I’m so excited that the role models for young children, boys or girls… or teenagers, or adults, come in different forms.
“There’s nothing unattainable about me. I don’t look like I’ve been carved out of rock. I don’t sound like I’ve had the extraordinary glamour.”
Jodie, who has previously appeared in TV shows including Black Mirror and Broadchurch, added she’s well aware that her casting may have already opened doors for other actresses. And knowing that makes the British star more than a little proud.
“For me, knowing what I thought were my limitations as a person and an actor, because this industry is about, ‘You sound like this, you look like this’… but I’m normal.
“And that was exciting to (Broadchurch co-star and former Doctor) David (Tennant) — it was a superhero he could play. And now it opens it a little wider, to women as well.”
However, despite being proud of her new gig, Jodie admitted she’d have been equally thrilled if her casting was met with less of a fanfare, as she believes it simply draws attention to the gender gap that still exists in the acting industry.
“It’s amazing to be a milestone, but how wonderful if it wasn’t, if it was just accepted, embraced. I’m not dissing the moment – it’s f**king brilliant – but hopefully when other people grow up, it’s not so much of a surprise,” she mused.
