Former Doctor Who actor Colin Baker has praised the BBC’s casting of Jodie Whittaker as the new Doctor – the first female actor to take the lead role in the long-running TV series.
Confirmation of Whittaker’s new role was announced by the Corporation last night (July 16), with the Broadchurch star set to play the 13th incarnation of the popular sci-fi character. She will be taking over from Peter Capaldi as the titular time-lord.
While some fans aired their grievances with Whittaker’s casting, many others online praised the move – including Baker, who played the Doctor from 1984 to 1986.
Writing on his Twitter, Baker told his followers that the BBC “did do the right thing” in making Whittaker the first female Doctor Who.
Well I never the BBC really did do the right thing and let the Doctor be in touch with her feminine side. As a father of daughters – result!
— Colin Baker (@SawbonesHex) July 16, 2017
Change my dears and not a moment too soon – she IS the Doctor whether you like it or not!
— Colin Baker (@SawbonesHex) July 16, 2017
And to those making 'parking the Tardis' jokes – name me one make Doctor that was unfailingly good at that! ?
— Colin Baker (@SawbonesHex) July 16, 2017
Male
— Colin Baker (@SawbonesHex) July 16, 2017
Baker also said that it was “very sad” that some people had claimed that they would never watch Doctor Who again following the news of Whittaker’s casting.
Meanwhile, Star Wars actor John Boyega and Black Mirror creator Charlie Brooker were among the high-profile names to sing Whittaker’s praises following the news.
Boyega declared that the new Doctor was going to be “awesome”, while Brooker said that Whittaker had been “great in everything she’s done.”