Doctor Who: Jodie Whittaker admits there's LESS pressure on her as the first female Time Lord as she calls role 'a huge honour'
Her inaugural series as the first female Time Lord airs in the autumn.
And ahead of October's anticipated Doctor Who return, Jodie Whittaker has spoken out on the mixed response she's received after being cast by new showrunner Chris Chibnall as the first female Doctor.
In an interview with this week's Radio Times, Jodie insists there's actually 'less pressure' on her, as she feels free to make the role completely her own.
'Honour': Ahead of October's anticipated Doctor Who return, Jodie Whittaker has spoken out on the mixed response she's received after being cast as the first female Doctor
Jodie, who worked with Chibnall on the hit ITV series Broadchurch, explains that she's excited to be a role model as the 13th Doctor, especially to young girls watching the iconic BBC show.
'Being the first female Doctor and showing children that their heroes in shows don't always look the same is a huge honour for me,' she says.
She admits she didn't feel the brunt of any backlash when the casting was announced a year ago, quipping that perhaps her pals and team 'sugar-coated' the reactions.
Liberating: In an interview with this week's Radio Times, Jodie insists there's actually 'less pressure' on her, as she feels free to make the role completely her own
'As long as most people are happy, I'm all right with that because the fans are so loyal and so passionate, and it's a huge deal to them,' she points out.
'And obviously for Whovians this time the change has taken a very different direction than it has before.'
She adds though that she feels a sense of freedom with the role of a lifetime, explaining:
'In a way, though, there is liberation in that new direction: the pressure is less for me because I can only do this my way. All the rules are out the window! That's what makes it so fun.'
Role model: Jodie explains that she's excited to be a role model as the 13th Doctor, especially to young girls watching the iconic BBC show
Teaser: On Sunday a 40 second teaser for the 11th series aired, showing Jodie with her three companions, including Tosin Cole
New recruit: Mandip Gill also stars in the forthcoming series, as another companion
Familiar face: Bradley Walsh has been juggling filming for his hit game show The Chase with his new acting role
Read the full interview in this week's Radio Times - on sale now
Chibnall agrees, and says it was never a question for him not to 'be out front leading the world', as Doctor Who has always done over the decades, when it came to casting a woman in the role of a new 'lively, warm and inclusive' Doctor.
Fans watching the World Cup final on BBC One on Sunday were treated to a 40 seconds teaser for the new, 11th series.
At the end of the clip, the words 'The universe is calling,' can be seen before Jodie materialises and smiles.
The clip featured the Doctor’s companions, played by Bradley Walsh, Mandip Gill and Tosin Cole, with all three appearing to have a supernatural experience around food.
Whittaker, 36, was unveiled as the successor to former Doctor Who star Peter Capaldi following the Wimbledon men’s final in July last year.
The Broadchurch star made her brief debut as the 13th Doctor in the final minutes of the Doctor Who Christmas special last year, when Capaldi regenerated.
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