Broadchurch star Jodie Whittaker is the new Doctor Who

After months and months of speculation with numerous names thrown into the hat, the BBC announced yesterday that they had found their new Doctor in the form of Broadchurch star Jodie Whittaker.

Whittaker becomes the first female to take on the role, and will take over from the departing Peter Capaldi this Christmas. The actress, who is best known for her role as Beth Latimer in Broadchurch, also starred in such films as Adult Life Skills, Attack the Block (in which she co-starred with John Boyega) and Venus.

On her casting, Whittaker said:

“I’m beyond excited to begin this epic journey – with Chris and with every Whovian on this planet.

“It’s more than an honour to play the Doctor. It means remembering everyone I used to be, while stepping forward to embrace everything the Doctor stands for: hope. I can’t wait.”

“It feels completely overwhelming, as a feminist, as a woman, as an actor, as a human, as someone who wants to continually push themselves and challenge themselves, and not be boxed in by what you’re told you can and can’t be.”

“Because this is a really exciting time, and Doctor Who represents everything that’s exciting about change… The fans have lived through so many changes, and this is only a new, different one, not a fearful one.”

There has some backlash already from some corners about the casting of a female in the lead, but many actresses have taken to social media to share their joy at the decision. Here’s just some from some previous Dr. Who stars:

Jodie Jodie Jodie Jodie Jodie!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ???

— Karen Gillan (@karengillan) July 16, 2017

YES ? xx

— Billie Piper (@billiepiper) July 16, 2017

B O O M ? Change isn’t a dirty word!!!! ? #Doctor13 https://t.co/TNmw2qnD1W

— Freema Agyeman (@FreemaOfficial) July 16, 2017

Whittaker’s debut will be in this year’s Christmas Special on BBC in December.