Jodie Whittaker will become the 13th Doctor Who after Peter Capaldi’s character regenerates in this year’s Christmas Day special. On Christmas Day, Capaldi and showrunner Steven Moffat will exit the show, Capaldi after three seasons as the screen icon. Chris Chibnall, creator of the three season long Broadchurch drama, will take over the creative reigns from Moffat once the current run ends.
Whittaker is the first female to play Doctor Who, but up until now has enjoyed a successful career in film and television. She appeared in the British sci-fi movie Attack The Block.
Speaking in a statement, released on Sunday shortly after the announcement, Whittaker said: “I’m beyond excited to begin this epic journey – with Chris Chibnall and with every Whovian on this planet. It means remembering everyone I used to be, while stepping forward to embrace everything the Doctor stands for: hope. I can’t wait.”
Whittaker will debut as the Doctor on Christmas Day on BBC One.
Watch the announcement video below.
Meet the Thirteenth Doctor #DoctorWho #Doctor13 pic.twitter.com/wycdcneZ7o
— BBC One (@BBCOne) July 16, 2017
