Jodie Whittaker Opens Up About Doctor Who Secrecy, Apologizes To Phoebe Waller-Bridge For Bearing The Brunt Of Rumors

It’s fair to say that the commotion preceding Doctor Who‘s unveiling of Jodie Whittaker almost brought the Internet to a standstill.

Before it became public knowledge that the Thirteenth Doctor was, in fact, a woman, scores of big-name Hollywood actors were linked with the hit BBC series – Kris Marshall, Ben Wishaw, Tom Rosenthal, Vicky McClure…you name it – including Phoebe Waller-Bridge.

The soon-to-be Han Solo actress came into contention two months ago, before being ruled out of the race altogether due to her ongoing commitment to that galaxy far, far away. But in that brief period of time, Waller-Bridge was arguably the hot-tipped favorite to become the next Time Lord, and that’s something Jodie Whittaker addressed while appearing on BBC Radio 2 (via Digital Spy).

Not unlike the recent James Bond news, Whittaker was sworn to secrecy before the BBC announced her to be the first female Doctor, and there was a time when the Broadchurch actress wanted to reach out and apologize to Waller-Bridge for being placed under such an intense spotlight – even if it didn’t last all that long.

Barring her nearest and dearest, Jodie Whittaker wasn’t allowed to break the news to anyone in fear of spoiling the surprise. And here, the incoming Time Lord sympathizes with Phoebe Waller-Bridge for bearing the brunt of those Doctor Who rumors.

It was just amazing that Phoebe Waller-Bridge had all that and she dealt with it all so amazingly and gracefully. And at no point could I just text her and go, ‘I’m so sorry’ – because I was under the radar the entire time until the last few days.

I told my husband – that doesn’t count does it? – and I told my Mum. And then my Dad was FURIOUS! It was a full military operation – I basically whispered for three months. It was getting really tedious that even in my own kitchen I was still talking like that. If the window was open I’d get like, ‘what have I said, what have I said?!’

Now that season 10 has reached its jaw-dropping conclusion, Doctor Who will be back on our screens later this year thanks to the 2017 Christmas Special, “Twice Upon a Time.”