Rutherglen Reformer

Who writer backs Jodie

Woman Doctor is a great idea

- Jonathan Geddes

It is the TV casting that has had everyone talking – and a Rutherglen Doctor Who writer reckons it’s about time a woman took over the TARDIS.

Andrew Smith penned the story Full Circle for the programme in the 1980s, when Tom Baker was the Doctor.

He has since written a string of audio book adventures set in the show’s universe.

And he is delighted that the BBC have now cast Broadchurc­h actress Jodie Whittaker in the role.

She is the first Doctor in the programme’s history to be female, and will take over from Peter Capaldi in a Christmas special .

Former Stonelaw High pupil Andrew said: “In short, I love it – as soon as Jodie pulled the hood down I just thought that’s the Doctor. I was watching it with my two daughters and Amy, who’s 14, had this huge smile on her face when it was announced.

“Her jaw hit the floor and she was so pleased to see it was a woman.

“I think it will attract new viewers, particular­ly with young females, but also male viewers as well, because the nice thing a regenerati­on does is shake things up, and this will do that more than most.”

The announceme­nt sparked a huge social media frenzy, with both positive and negative comments.

Andrew believes most fans have been in favour, though.

He added: “I’ve not always been that receptive to it in the past but things have been dropped in to the series over the past few years by Steven Moffat that have set it up well.

“The episode Hell Bent saw a male Time Lord regenerate into a woman, and then you had Missy (the Doctor’s regular enemy the Master became a female, played by Michelle Gomez) so it is now well establishe­d in the programme that it can happen.

“I’m a little surprised that a new production made that decision because it’s a risk, but it’s also being bold.

“Whenever a Doctor is cast there is always a negative reaction from some people, and all these people who say they won’t be watching, I’m sure they will be.

“The one thing that I don’t like is the idea that it’s just middle aged men complainin­g who are sexist.

“Yes, there is that element there, but for some fans they just think that’s not what they want the Doctor to be.”

The writer admits the decision is already providing some fresh inspiratio­n too.

He added: “I think a female Doctor would be a fresh thing to write.

“It’s great to have an adventure hero that’s female too – my kids are going to love it.”

 ??  ?? Write stuff Andrew Smith backs actress Jodie Whittaker as the new Doctor
Write stuff Andrew Smith backs actress Jodie Whittaker as the new Doctor
 ??  ?? Who’s that girl? Jodie Whittaker is the first woman to portray Doctor Who
Who’s that girl? Jodie Whittaker is the first woman to portray Doctor Who

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