When the fantastical character of the Doctor first graced the the screens across the UK in 1963, no one was sure what to make of it. From the cheap production and the obviously fake aliens, many thought that it wouldn’t be more than a silly children's sci-fi show. However, after facing cancellation, being off the air for almost 20 years and then returning with the new generation in 2005, Doctor Who has managed to cement itself not just as a british classic but as a science fiction mainstay.
However, some fear that Doctor Who is no longer the show so many have watched and loved for over 50 years. Why? Because the roll of the Doctor - having previously been played by thirteen strong male actors (I am including John Hurt’s portrayal as the War Doctor from the 50th anniversary special) - is regenerating as a woman. The backlash from this was loud and shocking. From people petitioning the BBC to fans putting the actress and showrunner on blast for this choice, I was worried that this show had come to an untimely end. But even with all the controversy, the show went on and as of October 7th, Jodie Whittaker has stepped into the Doctor’s shoes.
So what is changing?
This will be hard to gauge until the show actually debuts, however, there are a few things that I can comment on immediately. Firstly, the showrunner has changed. After many years of trolling fans, breaking hearts, and creating some of the best arches for characters, ex-showrunner Steven Moffat has decided to move on; making room for Broadchurch creator Chris Chibnall to take the reigns.
It is also clear by the trailers that the style of filming is different, but that is not really a surprise as with each new Doctor since 2005 has had a slightly different film style. This new style seems as if it will be easy to be sucked in and feel as if you are there with the characters on the screen - which makes me as a fan very excited.
I would mention again that the other thing that is changing is the actor playing the Doctor - as well as her new companions -, but I think we are all on the same page again, so I don’t think that needs to be repeated.
Will it still be the same?
Calling back to the classic Doctor Who, Jodie Whittaker’s Doctor will have multiple companions of various ages and demographics and she will not be romantically involved in anything lasting or not serious. Going back to this old formula makes me incredibly excited for what sort of adventures the Doctor and her friends may get up to.
And as always, the Doctor will always be a "madman with a box."The Doctor will never change
Regardless of the face, the Doctor will always be the same. The Doctor will always be hope and joy and bravery and give kids of all ages (adults too) a role model for acceptance and strength in diversity. And frankly I believe that no one said it better than the new Doctor herself in a recent interview with Marie Claire UK:
“I hope that as I could be your next-door neighbour – I’m not physically someone who could do extraordinary things – I won’t seem like an unattainable hero to kids. This is someone who loves science, who’s hopeful and who doesn’t look a particular way.”
And in regards to whether they will touch on the fact that the Doctor has swapped genders for the first time in over 50 years (or over a thousand if you are going by the Doctor’s chronological clock), Whittaker had this to say to USA Today:
“There’s a conversation around [the gender swap], as (there) should be. (But) the gender quickly becomes irrelevant, because the Doctor is the Doctor. But what is great is other people's or other worlds' reactions to that, reminders that it would be relevant at certain moments. But it certainly isn’t every scene. It’s not for me and you walking through life, so it certainly shouldn’t be for the Doctor.”
So as I said, the Doctor will always be the Doctor and this new change may actually be right in time. Watching how people in historical, sci-fi, and modern contexts react to her in an authority position or as the lead may shed more light on what women in society experience today. And though this show will not become a political statement, it will be interesting to see how this show falls in line with what is happening in the world outside.
Best of luck Jodie, and congratulations on becoming the next Doctor. And as your Broadchurch costar would say, “Allons-y!”