Today was a very exciting day for Whovians. The actor to replace Peter Capaldi as Doctor Who was revealed to be Broadchurch’s Jodie Whittaker.
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Whittaker’s casting will make her the first female actor to ever play ‘The Doctor’, the ancient Time-Lord who has been represented by men on-screen since 1963.
The highly anticipated news was revealed exclusively on BBC One this afternoon (July 16) after the Men’s Wimbledon Final.
Whittaker will relieve Capaldi of his cosmic adventuring duties this December in the Doctor Who Christmas special that airs every year.
Naturally, the internet has reacted… explosively. There are, of course, many supporters of the casting that admire Whittaker’s past work. There are also many naysayers who can’t even fathom that a time travelling alien with two hearts could be a woman.
Check out the best responses to the casting news below.
My daughter watching the #DoctorWho announcement. #doctor13 #DoctorWho13 pic.twitter.com/eX0w1rW4E9
— Employee of the Bearimy (@Jenny_Trout) July 16, 2017
I approve!! #doctor13 pic.twitter.com/n7VjbtTMhf
— Christian Ward (@cjwardart) July 16, 2017
I wish I could go back in time and tell my young nerd self that she's not going to have to pretend to be the boys forever. pic.twitter.com/YX8ti03jRe
— Mackenzi Lee (@themackenzilee) July 16, 2017
Acceptance and change is the main message of Doctor Who; it has been for 54 years. If you don't like 13 then you can GTFO
— Taylor ?☠️ (@Tayquaza17) July 16, 2017
Others chose to take the approach of “drinking the tears of salty misogynists” with wittier, more meme-heavy reactions to the news.
My entire TL right now #doctor13 pic.twitter.com/PcUmsdf0qo
— Maryne. (@MaryneeLahaye) July 16, 2017
https://twitter.com/JamieAli_/status/886609302932389888
Oh great a female Doctor Who. What next? Female real doctors? Female pilots? Female scientists? Female sisters and mothers? Female WOMEN?!
— thnx fr th gvng (@markhoppus) July 16, 2017
Congratulations to #doctor13, Roger Federer.
— Pundamentalism (@Pundamentalism) July 16, 2017
I'm sorry, but it's not Doctor Who for me if I don't know his penis could slip out at any moment.
— Matt Roller (@rolldiggity) July 16, 2017
Speaking specifically about what it means to be the first female Doctor, Whittaker said: “It feels completely overwhelming, as a feminist, as a woman, as an actor, as a human, as someone who wants to continually push themselves and challenge themselves, and not be boxed in by what you’re told you can and can’t be. It feels incredible.”
Speaking about his replacement, the current Doctor, Peter Capaldi, said: “Anyone who has seen Jodie Whittaker’s work will know that she is a wonderful actress of great individuality and charm.”
“She has above all the huge heart to play this most special part.”