Empire (UK)

WHO BETTER?

Six of Jodie Whittaker’s collaborat­ors on why she’s tailor-made to play The Doctor

- WORDS PHIL DE SEMLYEN

Jason Isaacs CO-STAR, GOOD

“Jodie’s going to own The Doctor for a generation. I already feel sorry for the next one. She’s funny as fuck, kind in a way that’s unfakeable and can simultaneo­usly be utterly innocent and choke-on-your-tongue filthy. I can’t wait for my two majorly Whovian daughters to see her — not as a feminist role model, but because she’s going to blow them away.”

Alice Lowe CO-STAR, ADULT LIFE SKILLS

“She’s someone you feel like you know when you see her on screen, yet she inhabits the character entirely. She’s got this uncanny ability to switch from heavy drama to comedy, which not many can do. It’s a bit greedy of her, really, to be so good at stuff. She’s going to be an amazing role model for tiny female sci-fi fans.”

Michael Berliner PRODUCER, ADULT LIFE SKILLS

“She has such a strong sense of fun, even though a lot of audiences may not have seen it yet. She’s so warm and charismati­c with such energy, and almost an impishness. Another thing about Jodie is that she’s got a strong sense of fairness — she always fights for the underdog and against any inequality. She’s perfectly suited to being The Doctor.”

Paddy Considine DIRECTOR, JOURNEYMAN

“Jodie has a tenacity and an authentici­ty she brings to her work, and as long as they invest in her natural qualities she will be a great Doctor — potentiall­y the best ever. All the gender bullshit aside, they have cast a brilliant, inquisitiv­e actor. She gets in the trenches when she has to, and she’s a fighter. She will silence a lot of critics, I have no doubt of that.”

Joe Cornish DIRECTOR, ATTACK THE BLOCK

“For Jodie to even agree to do Attack The Block, a film with a first-time director and a cast of unknown teen actors with almost zero experience, shows how adventurou­s, imaginativ­e and ballsy she is. She’s strong and funny and smart, and a brilliant choice for Doctor Who. Plus, I know from experience that when it comes to playing a kick-ass medical practition­er who fights aliens, she’s the best there is.”

Lorraine Ashbourne CO-STAR, ADULT LIFE SKILLS

“Jodie is an inspired choice for the role. I can’t think of anyone better to smash all preconcept­ions associated with this iconic role. She’s a beautiful everywoman with an extraordin­arily wicked sense of humour and a quickfire wit. There’s a delicious naughtines­s about her. She’s truly one of our finest actors and the TARDIS will be lucky to have her.”

 ??  ?? “Adventurou­s, imaginativ­e and ballsy”: Jodie Whittaker slips on the greatcoat of cosmic adventure.
“Adventurou­s, imaginativ­e and ballsy”: Jodie Whittaker slips on the greatcoat of cosmic adventure.

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