And some fans are not happy.
So much so that Jodie has urged fans to not be “fearful” of her gender.
‘I want to tell the fans not to be scared by my gender,’ she said.
‘Because this is a really exciting time, and Doctor Who represents everything that’s exciting about change.’
Jodie will play an alien who has two hearts, is more than 1000 years old and has saved planet Earth from complete annihilation multiple times over. The character has previously regenerated into men of very different ages a dozen times, so you’d think that having a woman in the role wouldn’t be a massive stretch of the imagination.
But apparently, it is.
Social media accounts have been established urging fans to “save our show”.
Articles announcing the news carry thousands of comments from fans declaring the move an absolute travesty and crime against the Who legacy.
Some are outraged at the “PC turn” the show has taken.
Some have raised concerns about all the women now dominating the BBC.
Some say the character was written as a male, has always been a male, and should remain a male.
Some charming comments indicate it’ll be great to see the TARDIS getting a “good clean” for the first time in a while.
Some have asked if ‘WonderMAN’ will now get a shot at the recent revival of WonderWoman.
Some have vowed to never, ever watch Dr Who again.
How appalling! That a show should try something so completely different and fresh and experiment with appointing a woman to the lead!
Jodie also commented today that she’s looking forward to playing the Doctor, because it’s a character that offers so much hope.
Hope, at this time, is needed. As is change.
While some are mad at this announcement, others are cheering.
This girl’s reaction to the news is pretty special — and suggests a new range of fans who might be on their way for their show.
My daughter watching the #DoctorWho announcement. #doctor13 #DoctorWho13 pic.twitter.com/eX0w1rW4E9
— 🏳️🌈Jenny Trout (@Jenny_Trout) July 16, 2017
Then there’s been some excellent reactions to the reactions of people being absolutely appalled at the fact a woman could be appointed to the role:
Interesting that some people are able to accept the idea of a Time Lord from the planet Gallifrey more than, say, a human woman.
— Matt Haig (@matthaig1) July 16, 2017
I don’t need femimms sorry but a female Doctor Who is just unrealistic. Only a man can believably play an extraterrestrial time lord
— WomanAgainstFeminism (@NoToFeminism) July 16, 2017
*Enters mind of someone who objects to woman taking role of Doctor Who*
“Wow, it’s so much smaller on the inside”#DoctorWho13
— Peter Broks (@peterbroks) July 16, 2017
I’m amused by the “So when do we get Wonder Man” replies to the Doctor news.
It’s Doctor WHO, you dipshits. Not Doctor Man. pic.twitter.com/S0r6crrqFk
— Geek Girl Diva (@geekgirldiva) July 16, 2017
If you’re angry about #doctor13 possibly being a woman, just remember:
1) Its not real
2) The Doctor is an alien
3) You’re a moron— Northern Loudmouth (@Mike_Loudmouth) July 16, 2017