Jodie Whittaker is the13th Doctor, and actress Olivia Colman, writer Jenny Colgan and many others couldn't be happier
Olivia Colman has sung the praises of her Broadchurch co-star Jodie Whittaker after she won the lead role in Doctor Who.
Jodie will become the first female Time Lord in the hit sci-fi series when she replaces Peter Capaldi.
Olivia, who was linked with the role alongside a number of other big names, said she had 'no idea' Jodie had landed the part until Sunday’s announcement.
She told BBC News: “I was really impressed because we’ve seen each other since she’s found out… I was just like ‘my god’ when I found out.
The actress added: “She’ll do it better than anyone, I’m so proud of her.”
She also pleaded with people to leave Jodie alone and 'let her do the job brilliantly'.
“It’s a massive, massive thing that she’s undertaken and she will be great. It’s not her job to fly the flag for all of womankind… the creatives have made the decision that part should be a woman and it’s about time,” said Olivia.
Meanwhile, Doctor Who superfans have welcomed the casting of Broadchurch actress Jodie Whittaker as the 13th Doctor.
Writer and avid fan Jenny Colgan – who has written several Doctor Who novels and audio dramas – said she was 'absolutely delighted' that Jodie is the new Doctor, describing her as 'brilliant and bold and brave'.
She said: “When I was a little girl I thought I was the only female Doctor Who fan in the world. Now Jodie Whittaker is taking it to a whole new place, and I am absolutely delighted for all of us wee Whoviennes, old and new.”
Asked what she would say to anyone unhappy that the new Doctor is a woman, she said: “People are always unhappy when there’s a new Doctor, that’s just the way of it.
“Then new stuff happens and it’s brilliant and everyone loves them and they have to leave and then everyone gets sad again.
“If you really would stop watching Doctor Who because it was a woman, I don’t think you really understand the entire ethos the last 55 years of The Doctor has been about.”
Dermot Devlin, a disability campaigner and advisor from Omagh in County Tyrone, said he was looking forward to seeing what Jodie did with the role, adding that he hoped she was chosen because she was right for the part, and not as a gimmick.
Devlin, who was once photographed with Billie Piper as he cosplayed as Davros, said: “I am looking forward to seeing the direction she takes the Doctor in and I do believe the time is right for ‘he’ to become ‘she’.
“Michelle Gomez paved the way as The Master to Missy and she was fantastic.”
Devlin, who said he thought Jodie was 'excellent' in Broadchurch, joked: “So Jodie, it’s over to you and if you’re looking for a companion, you know where and when to find me.”
