It seems that one former star of Doctor Who is not entirely pleased with the fact that Jodie Whittaker has been cast as the new Doctor in the British sci-fi institution – the first time an actress has played the titular Time Lord in the show’s 54 year history.
Peter Davison – who portrayed the Fifth Doctor from 1982-84 – revealed his feelings during an appearance at San Diego Comic-Con. To be clear, Davison remarked that Whittaker was “a terrific actress” and admitted that he was probably a bit of a “dinosaur,” but he did say that he would prefer it if the Doctor remained a man.
“If I feel any doubts, it’s the loss of a role model for boys who I think Doctor Who is vitally important for. So I feel a bit sad about that, but I understand the argument that you need to open it up.”
In response to Davison’s comments, Colin Baker – who was, funnily enough, the actor’s successor in the role, as he played the Sixth Doctor from 1984-86 – has said that his predecessor is talking “absolute rubbish.”
“They’ve had 50 years of having a role model. So sorry Peter, you’re talking rubbish there – absolute rubbish. Well, you don’t have to be of a gender of someone to be a role model. Can’t you be a role model as people?”
Baker seems to be one of the biggest proponents of Whittaker, as he’s taken to Twitter many times to express his happiness at her casting, and even wrote an article for The Guardian on the subject.
He’s not the only Doctor who’s made public his encouragement for the former Broadchurch actress, either. Doctor No. 7 wished the Thirteenth Doctor well in a fun video just yesterday while David Tennant briefly congratulated the show on its new “strong female lead” at SDCC. Sorry, Peter, looks like you’re the odd one out here.
Before Whittaker gets the keys to the TARDIS, we have one last hour with Peter Capaldi as the iconic character. He bows out in this year’s Doctor Who yuletide special, airing on Christmas Day.
