Not for the first time, former Doctor Who companion John Barrowman has come out in defense of Jodie Whittaker’s casting as the first female Time Lord.
While appearing on Good Morning Britain (via Radio Times) to promote his involvement in the Manchester Opera House, Barrowman hailed Whittaker’s addition as a “great” boost for the Doctor Who franchise. The Broadchurch actress is due to make her first real appearance in next month’s festive special, “Twice Upon a Time,” and it’s fair to say that Whovians are already beside themselves with excitement.
Chris Chibnall will be the one directing Jodie Whittaker come 2018, and when John Barrowman was pressed about the concept of a female Doctor, the actor responded as so:
There’s no Gallifreyan law in the Gallifreyan text that says it has to be a man. I think it’s about time… we should give her a chance.
Frankly, we couldn’t agree more. Not only was Whittaker’s casting long overdue, but drafting in a female time-traveler is a subtle, yet brilliant way to reinvent this time-honored franchise.
It’ll continue with the premiere of the 2017 Christmas Special on December 25th, and here’s the official logline, courtesy of the BBC:
Two Doctors stranded in a forbidding snowscape, refusing to face regeneration. And a British army captain seemingly destined to die in the First World War, but taken from the trenches to play his part in the Doctor’s story. This is the magical last chapter of the Twelfth Doctor’s epic adventure. He must face his past to decide his future. And the Doctor will realise the resilience of humanity, discovering hope in his darkest frozen moment. It’s the end of an era. But the Doctor’s journey is only just beginning.
It’s sure to be a bittersweet Christmas Special for the Doctor Who camp, what with the incoming Jodie Whittaker primed to pick up the torch in time for season 11. A late 2018 release window is said to be the target for Whittaker’s true debut, though eagle-eyed fans have already uncovered a smattering of set photos of her Time Lord in action alongside fellow newcomer, Bradley Walsh.
