Doctor Who's Kiwi Connection

Whats Up, Doc? Oh, Just The First-ever Female Time Lord!

- Des Sampson

Landing the role of Doctor Who is, by far, Jodie Whittaker’s biggest break yet. Even more momentous, it’s the first time a woman has ever played the Time Lord in the 55-year history of the iconic British show. It’s quite a coup – and perhaps a sign of the times.

“Being the first woman to play Doctor Who is exciting,” says Jodie (36). “I’m now part of a movement which will potentially have a big impact on the future. There’s an important barrier to break down.”

Jodie’s casting is apt, given it’s exactly 100 years since the Suffragettes fought and won the right for women to vote in Britain. It seems even more prescient following the sweeping changes in the film and television industries in the wake of the allegations against big Hollywood power players such as Harvey Weinstein and Bill Cosby – and the #MeToo movement, which emerged in response.

“It does feel timely, especially with all the things to do with #MeToo – the unacceptable treatment of women within the industry and all the inequality in the workplace,” Jodie acknowledges.

“But I think it’s important to realise that my casting happened before all those horrific revelations surfaced. So what I’m most excited about in being the first female Doctor Who is our role models no longer have to look or be the same as before.

“I think that’s important. When I was growing up, none of my heroes were played by women, but now they can be. So for me, casting a woman as Doctor Who isn’t something you can argue with – it’s part of a progression that should be reflected on screen.”

However, being the first woman to play this iconic character has also been daunting, Jodie admits, because it’s thrust her into the spotlight and propelled her to superstardom.