Broadchurch's Jodie Whittaker is shock late favourite to be the first female Doctor Who with co-star Olivia Colman also in the running

She showcased acting skills on beaches of Jurassic Coast for ITV's Broadchurch
But Jodie Whittaker's next assignment looks set to be light years away from that
The star is hot favourite to be announced today as the first female Doctor Who

By Chris Hastings, Arts Correspondent For The Mail On Sunday

Published: 22:14 BST, 15 July 2017 | Updated: 01:54 BST, 16 July 2017

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She showcased her acting skills on the picturesque beaches of the Jurassic Coast for Broadchurch.

But Jodie Whittaker's next assignment looks set to be a million light years away from all that – quite literally.

The star is on the verge of making TV history after becoming the hot favourite to be announced today as the first female Doctor Who.

Tipped for the top: Jodie Whittaker (pictured) - who found fame as Beth Latimer in Dorset-based Broadchurch - has emerged to lead the pack of stars fancied for the part of Doctor Who

The actress – who found fame as Beth Latimer, mother of murder victim Danny, in Dorset-based Broadchurch – has dramatically emerged to lead the pack of stars fancied for the part, with her odds suddenly shortening to evens with bookmakers yesterday.

Just four days ago, the 35-year-old was only 25 to 1 to succeed Peter Capaldi as the 13th Doctor.

Millions of fans will find out this afternoon who will next take the role first performed by William Hartnell in 1963. The announcement is being made on BBC1 after the men's singles final at Wimbledon.

Doctor WHO? Fleabag comedy star Phoebe Waller-Bridge (left) is also a contender, while another Broadchurch star

Miss Whittaker is not the only woman in the running. Acclaimed Fleabag comedy star Phoebe Waller-Bridge is also a contender, while another Broadchurch star, Olivia Colman, was 25 to 1, although on one betting website Betfair she was the odds-on favourite.

The fact that Broadchurch writer Chris Chibnall has taken over responsibility for Doctor Who has only fuelled speculation that Miss Whittaker is to take the part.

Viewers found telling clues of a possible woman Doctor a few weeks ago in the finale of the most recent series.

The editor of fan site Doctor Who Online said Aneurin Barnard (left), who starred in The White Queen, could be a potential for the role. Kris Marshall (right), who made his name in the sitcom My Family before going on to star in Death In Paradise, had been favourite until yesterday

Then, the Doctor cryptically told his nemesis The Master, played by John Simm: 'Do as she says.' The Master replied: 'Is the future all women?', to which the Doctor said: 'We can only hope.'

Kris Marshall, who made his name in the sitcom My Family before going on to star in Death In Paradise, had been favourite until yesterday.

Scottish star Richard Rankin (pictured) – recently seen in BBC psychological drama The Replacement - could be a contender

But in recent weeks social media has been awash with speculation that the Doctor might be able to undergo a sex change.

Some fans on Twitter swore they saw a female hand when Capaldi's Doctor began to transform in the end-of-season finale. One wrote: 'I have no doubt 13 is a woman.'

Many fans believe the appointment of a woman would breathe new life into a franchise which has been struggling in the ratings. The show still pulls in five million viewers, but when the revamped series returned in 2005, it had audiences almost twice that size.

One fan wrote: 'Jodie will be perfect for winning over the new audience.' But Sebastian J. Brook, editor of fan site Doctor Who Online, said: 'I think the BBC will cast traditionally in the sense of a male actor.'

He said Scottish star Richard Rankin – recently seen in BBC psychological drama The Replacement – and Welsh star Aneurin Barnard, who starred in The White Queen, are seen as contenders, as is Fortitude star Luke Treadaway.

The BBC declined to be drawn on speculation last night. A spokesman for Jodie Whittaker was unavailable for comment.