Speaking in the Comic Con special double-issue of Entertainment Weekly, new Doctor Who showrunner Chris Chibnall has said that there was never a doubt in his mind about casting the first female actor to take on the role of the Doctor.
The move to cast Jodie Whittaker as the Doctor has not been without controversy but Chibnall believes the show should always be ahead of the curve when it comes to making bold changes and that casting another male actor after Peter Capaldi departed the role would have felt regressive.

He told EW (via Digital Spy) which also has two new pictures of the Doctor and the new companions, that:
“I just felt the time was right. I think if the show hadn’t done it, we would have been behind the world, and Doctor Who has got to be out front leading the world, and being a great example of all the amazing things that are in the world.
“So, it wasn’t even a question in my mind.”
Speaking about her part in the history-changing casting Jodie Whittaker added:
“There’s no rules [with this show], and it’s liberating. But it’s equally terrifying.”

As for Comic Con itself, Jodie Whittaker will be appearing alongside companions Tosin Cole, who plays Ryan and Mandip Gill, who plays Yasmin, showrunner Chris Chibnall and executive producer Matt Strevens for the BBC America panel.
Whittaker will also be chatting with stars of Riverdale and Agents of SHIELD on the Women Who Kick Ass panel at Comic-Con International next weekend.
Doctor Who will return this autumn on BBC One.