Jodie Whittaker on Finding Out She’d Star in Doctor Who, the “Enthusiastic” Fans, & More
Actor Jodi Whittaker has been busy since the BBC announced she’d play the 13th Doctor but has just given her first broadcast interview where she discussed the history of Doctor Who, finding out she got the part, the enthusiastic fans, and more.
Speaking to BBC Radio about her current gig, the drama Trust Me, Whittaker was of course asked about Doctor Who. “No, I didn’t faint, I played it really cool. And cried,” Whitaker said of her reaction to the news that she’d been cast as the 13th Doctor.”
‘I found out that I got it during this job,’ she explained. ‘It was incredibly emotional because you know, my entire life has been spent, as a child all I ever wanted to do was be an actor. And I wanted to do it because I wanted to play pretend, and [Doctor Who] is the ultimate and playing…I’m about to play an alien you know? A Time Lord. And that as a girl? Who knew? You know that’s incredible and it’s really emotional because of that, and I feel like I’m immersing myself into a world that it just… the love of it. Like even now I haven’t even done it yet, I haven’t done anything and just the fans are the most, kind of, creative and enthusiastic people and it’s so exciting to be a part of that. And also because I know quite a few of them, like people that have been in it, and talking to them, for them it’s like a moment in their life and there’s only a few people that know what it’s like.’
“I already know Chris [Chibnall], so I know how amazing he is,” she said of the new showrunner, “He’s come from a fan point of view of the show, and so the direction he’s going to take it is going to be amazing.”
The host also asked her about being the first woman to play the Doctor. “The people that are in these roles that we are excited by, are passionate about, look up to, don’t always have to tick the same box,” she replied, “and that’s what’s really incredible about it. I don’t even know what the journey is, but that’s the best thing about this part is like, every script I read will be brand new and something that I genuinely can say I’ve never done this before.”
And on the reactions to the announcement…
“I’ve missed a lot of the fun stuff, and probably the bad stuff, because I’m not on any type of social media and never have been. So if I get sent something it’s a mate screengrabbing something and sending it to me,” she told them. “There’s an amazing video of a young girl watching it and you know, finding out it’s being played by a girl and seeing things like that are really exciting.” She also mentioned she’s spoken to “a few” other Doctors, “I think the overwhelming sense of, this is such an exciting journey that you’re about to go on, and it’s to be enjoyed. I think that’s it.”
Whittaker also did another interview with BBC News in which she said it was “an honor” to take on this historical role.
“To see through the filtered prism that people send me things, has been hugely positive and that is a wonderful way to start this massive journey that will be, you know, for the rest of your life as well, it’s one of the only roles you can really say you are that character forever,” she said.
She added, “The fans are the most loyal and wonderful family of people watching this show.” The BBC even showed her some photos of those fans who had already dressed up in her outfit from the promo video (which is not her official costume). “That is amazing! Where’s that, is that at Comic-Con? That is absolutely brilliant.”
(via Doctor Who TV)
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