Unless you’ve been trapped in the Quantum Realm for the last few years (or just snapped back into existence), you know that the Doctor is now a Time Lady and is portrayed by seasoned actress Jodie Whittaker. Of course, Ms. Whittaker is a veteran of stage and screen and has appeared in everything from Broadchurch to Attack the Block to Black Mirror. But what does Whittaker think of her newest role? How exactly does she view her portrayal of everyone’s favourite TARDIS traveller?
Well, along with companions Mandip Gill (Yaz) and Tosin Cole (Ryan), Whittaker was recently interviewed at the Paley Center in New York City as part of a special screening of Spyfall Parts 1 and 2 in movie theaters all across the USA. Whittaker jovially explained that she sees the Doctor as a source of light when things turn dark:
“It can feel as if there is no hope, and playing someone like the Doctor, who with extraordinary hindsight still has hope, and belief that we can do better.”
As we all know, the Doctor has an obvious affinity for 20th and 21st Century Earth and its people. Heck, out of the whole universe, an overwhelming number of the Doctor’s companions have been humans beings. Whittaker continued with her optimistic take and said:
“The Doctor loves humans and loves humanity, and sometimes when you’re a human you forget we should all love each other, and we should.”
And like many of the actors before her, Whittaker couldn’t help but express her admiration for a role that is quite unlike anything else in television history:
“The wonderful thing about playing the Doctor is there’s so much to discover, and so much to continue for anyone playing the role.”
So, Who Believers, what do you think? Is a hopeful Doctor just what the doctor ordered for our modern times? Or would you rather see Whittaker flex some of her darker, more dramatic acting muscles, such as a haunted Doctor betrayed by the secret of the Timeless Child and the destruction of Gallifrey… or even as an unstoppable Time Lady Triumphant?
Until next time, keep reaching for the stars… and look on the bright side of life!
