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6 Reasons Why Right Now Is The Perfect Time For A Female Doctor

After months and months of speculation, the identity of the thirteenth individual to step into the role of the titular hero in Doctor Who has now been revealed. 35-year-old actress Jodie Whittaker will be taking over from the outgoing Peter Capaldi, who exits the show this Christmas. It hasn't been confirmed, but Whittaker will likely make a cameo in the yuletide special before making her full debut when season 11 airs in 2018.

1) They’ve Cast A Great Actress

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That’s enough talk about “a female Doctor.” Surely the best reason why now was the perfect time for a woman to take the role of the Doctor is because they simply found a talented actress who would be brilliant in the part, right?

Like Matt Smith and David Tennant before her, Jodie Whittaker isn’t a household name and doesn’t really have a great deal of leading screen credits on her resume. However, she is well respected in the industry – just check out Twitter for the number of actors congratulating her on getting the part – and has enjoyed an award-winning career on stage. For her most recognizable role, Whittaker played Beth Latimer in hit crime drama Broadchurch. Her performance as a mother whose life falls apart after her son is murdered was rightly acclaimed by critics and viewers alike.

As there should be, there’s much talk right now about how Doctor Who is making history by casting its first female lead. But let’s not let the actress herself get lost in all the hubbub about gender politics. Jodie Whittaker isn’t just the first female Doctor – she is the Doctor.