To say that Jodie Whittaker’s casting as the Thirteenth Doctor sparked debate online would be a massive understatement, but there’s no question that most, if not all of the reactions coming in have been overwhelmingly positive.
Be it former Doctors or Steven Moffat himself, the outgoing showrunner who will bid adieu to Doctor Who following this year’s Christmas Special, many of the show’s key players have voiced their support of Whittaker in the titular role. And Matt Smith is no different.
While appearing at the Fan Expo Canada (via ComicBook.com), the former Time Lord solicited questions about all things Doctor Who, including the upcoming changeover between Peter Capaldi and Jodie Whittaker. When asked about the prospect of a female Doctor taking charge, Smith responded as so:
I think it’s absolutely what we should do. Doctor Who as an idea is at its best when it’s inventing things and being brave with the forum. Having a woman come in and play the Doctor suddenly makes me go ‘Wow! What’s she gonna do?’
Smith, who recently lobbied for a role in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, then went on to discuss what it’s like to shoulder such a prominent role.
She’s a brilliant actress, she’s a great person, and I think she’s going to be a rocket. I’m really excited. There was a great deal of pressure from the outside. The thing with Doctor Who is that I’d walk down the street and people would be like, ‘Don’t break Doctor Who!’ And I’d be like ‘Please love me.’
Doctor Who will be back on our screens this festive season with the premiere of “Twice Upon a Time.” It’s poised to be an emotional gut-punch, too, what with the long-anticipated transition (read: regeneration process) that will result in Peter Capaldi passing the torch over to the incoming Jodie Whittaker.
The Broadchurch actress has been roundly endorsed by the BBC, Steven Moffat, David Tennant, Capaldi, the overwhelming majority of Who fans, and now Matt Smith, but what are your thoughts? Do let us know.
