The casting announcement of the next Doctor Who is always a highly anticipated event, but when the BBC named Jodie Whittaker as the thirteenth Time Lord, it sent social media into a frenzy.
As soon as the Broadchurch actress was announced as the first female Doctor,the internet went into overdrive, with fans using the hashtag #doctor13 and #jodiewhittaker to show their support or displeasure with the BBC’s choice.
Most people were overwhelmingly supportive of the idea that an alien creature that can regenerate multiple times chose to be a woman, but a select few, mostly readers of the Daily Express and Daily Mail, decided that a Time Lord with a vagina was an assault on their values and “PC gone mad”.
Here are some of the best and worst reactions to the news:
Best reactions
My daughter watching the #DoctorWho announcement. #doctor13 #DoctorWho13 pic.twitter.com/eX0w1rW4E9
— ?️?Jenny Trout (@Jenny_Trout) July 16, 2017
Absolutely disgusted @BBC have chosen another human to play #DrWho. Gallifreyan actors should play a Gallifreyan roles! ? #Doctor13
— Scott Cuthbertson (@ScotCuthbertson) July 16, 2017
no longer will little girls be confined to the role of the companion in games on the playground. the future IS female #doctor13
— The Time Ladies (@thetimeladies_) July 16, 2017
Theresa May has been PM for a year but it was only today that we got hope for a female role model in society #doctor13
— James H (@fitgeek_uk) July 16, 2017
I'm just gonna leave this here for everyone…. #doctor13 pic.twitter.com/3Zm1XUoQYE
— doctor who (@WhovianDW) July 16, 2017
For non-#DoctorWho followers, sorry, but for Who fans today is like Xmas. Except fans who were angry that Santa didn't have a sack #Doctor13
— Guy Lambert (@GRALambo) July 16, 2017
The worst part of being female for The Doctor? Fake pockets,where's the sonic supposed to go? #DoctorWho #Doctor13
— The Doctor (@TheNewestDoctor) July 17, 2017
the doctor who fandom after the announcement #doctor13 #DoctorWho pic.twitter.com/5ZuHOEuuZa
— marcela (@bleachrrs) July 17, 2017
To the idiots saying they're not watching Doctor Who anymore just because The Doctor is now a woman: pic.twitter.com/Fdm8SJSiDP
— Jasmin Anna (@JasLockheart) July 16, 2017
Gutted I didn't get it. #doctor13
— Queen Elizabeth II (@HMQueenE) July 16, 2017
If you're fine with "magically regenerating time-travelling alien" but struggle with "female", have a word with yourself! #doctor13
— Rachael (@AberdonianRach) July 16, 2017
Jodie Whittaker should have plenty of time to prepare for the role with all the awful cyber men she'll now be battling #Doctor13
— Plumpy (@AdamTheBlampied) July 16, 2017
Worst reactions
Daily Express commentators:
“This is the death of Dr Who or should I say Dr What????? Maybe a nice pink TARDIS with chintz and lace curtains at the windows and a wipe your feet mat inside the doors. This is the worst decision in a long line of them that have turned this show into a joke. I doubt there will be a 14th Dr Who. RIP Dr Who, you will be missed.” – BigglesG
“this doctor will let the Daleks take over and kill innocent people…
“I mean you can’t kill Daleks you Gotta be politically correct” – roberthingston
“Sorry, can’t save the universe right now, it’s that time of the month again.” – Bill Miller
“They will lose so many fans. PC crap, why will they never learn that people have had just about enough of it.” – IanW
Daily Mail readers:
“Just waiting waiting for the BBC to change the Nativity to the three wise feminists from the east” – The Cad
“I hope the ratings plunge and it gets cancelled. This program is a pale imitation of what it once was. I own every dvd for the entire 54 years on my shelf. Alienate your core fan base and you deserve what you get.”
– Petel
“So the BBC has done it they’ve bent to the will of the pc let’s have sexual equality in all things brigade. They ever think of making Wonder Woman, Lady McBeth,Elizabeth Bennett, Anna Karenina or even God forbid Mary Poppins a man so why mess with Doctor Who. I’ve watched The Doctor since the first episode in ’63 but they’ve just lost this viewer.” – merrickjles
