Jodie Whittaker has now given her first broadcast interview since being cast as the Thirteenth Doctor last month. While ostensibly speaking on BBC Radio 6 about her new medical drama Trust Me, Doctor Who obviously dominated the conversation, and the actress had quite a lot to say about it.
First off, Whittaker spoke about how emotional it was for her to land the role, saying:
“It was incredibly emotional because my entire life has been spent… always wanting to be an actor and I wanted to do it because I always wanted to play pretend and [the Doctor] is the ultimate. I’m playing an alien, you know, a Time Lord and as a girl… who knew?
“The freedoms and the fun and the scale of the storylines. I already know Chris [Chibnall, showrunner] so I know how amazing he is. He’s come from a fan’s point of view and the direction he’s going to take it in is going to be amazing.”
She also talked about the generosity and creativity of the Doctor Who fans she’s encountered so far, as well as revealing how she’s becoming a fan herself:
“The love of [the Doctor Who fandom]… Even now, I have even done it yet, I haven’t done anything, and the fans are just the most creative, enthusiastic people. It’s so exciting to be a part of that.
“I get excited by [it all]. I knew it was me under the hood. I knew! I was one of the four people that knew! And I was like ‘Oh God! Look at me, I’m walking towards the TARDIS!'”
The actress then mentioned what she loves about the part, saying it’s going to be something new and fresh for her.
“I don’t know what the journey is. But that’s the best thing about this part is [that] every script I read will be brand-new and something that I can genuinely say ‘I have never done this before.’
I’ve been asked so many times ‘what’s your dream part?’ and I try and articulate something that is outside of what people have said I can and only play and now it’s like ‘see! I told ya!'”
Finally, Jodie Whittaker said that she’s spoken with a bunch of former Doctors, who had basically all given her the same piece of advice:
“I’ve spoken to a few, and the overwhelming sense is ‘this is such an exciting journey that you are about to go on, and it’s to be enjoyed.’ There’s no advice you can give because no person plays the part the same.”
Fans will get their first look at Whittaker as the iconic character in this year’s Doctor Who Christmas special, which will see Peter Capaldi pass the baton (well, sonic screwdriver) onto her. Her first full season in charge is then likely to air in autumn 2018.