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Jodie Whittaker "Has a Similar Energy to Matt Smith’s Doctor"

After a dearth of news on the new series of Doctor Who which has left many a website editor tearing their hair out for most of the year, the publicity machine is grinding into gear to promote Jodie Whittaker’s debut as the Doctor this autumn.
First out of the blocks with authorised images and interviews was Entertainment Weekly, whose reporter was lucky enough to spend a day on the set in Cardiff earlier in the year.
As you would expect, nothing significant is given revealed in terms of storylines and the like, but snippets have been provided as to Whittaker’s performance. Mandip Gill, who will be playing new companion Yasmin, likens the new incarnation to the Eleventh Doctor:

“She has a similar energy to Matt Smith’s Doctor. Very high energy. Jodie has that about her Doctor.”

Series showrunner, Chris Chibnall offers his description of the Thirteenth Doctor:

“She’s incredibly lively, she’s funny, she’s warm, she’s inclusive, she’s energetic. She’s the greatest friend you’d ever want to have as your guide around the universe.”

Whittaker herself has perhaps revealed the most about how she tackles the role, describing her Doctor as “hopeful and fizzing with wonder”, following up with the insight that “I have absolutely shot myself in the foot for any ADR, because I get in there, and realize I speak at a hundred miles an hour”.
It looks like we can expect a considerable step up in terms of publicity activity, with the first (official) look at footage from the new series in the World Cup Final, and the Radio Times in the UK teasing pictures and interviews in their next issue.
Doctor Who will return to BBC One and BBC America in the autumn.

Jonathan Appleton

A regular Doctor Who viewer since Pertwee fought maggots and spiders, Jonathan isn't about to stop now. He considers himself lucky to have grown up in an era when Doctor Who, Star Trek and Blakes 7 could all be seen on primetime BBC1. As well as writing regularly for The Doctor Who Companion he's had chapters included in a couple of Blakes 7 books.

Jodie Whittaker "Has a Similar Energy to Matt Smith’s Doctor"

by Jonathan Appleton time to read: 1 min
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