Doctor Who showrunner Steven Moffat has responded to reports regarding the sexist backlash against the Jodie Whittaker’s casting as the new Doctor, telling journalist to “shut the hell up.”
Speaking during the San Diego Comic-Con, Moffat downplayed the credibility of reports that the decision to make Whittaker the first female Doctor had ignited a sexist backlash. “There are so many press articles about a backlash within the Doctor Who fandom against the casting of a female Doctor”, the writer said. “There has been no backlash at all. The story of the moment is that the notionally conservative Doctor Who fandom has utterly embraced that change. Completely. 80% approval on social media, not that I check these things obsessively… ”
“And yet so many people want to pretend there’s a problem — there isn’t”, he continued. “In fact, it strikes me that Doctor Who fans are more excited about the idea of a brilliant actress playing the part, than the fact she’s a woman. It’s been incredibly progressive and enlightened and that’s what really happened. I wish that every single journalist writing the alternative, would shut the hell up.”
Peter Capaldi (R) and Steven Moffat (L) (Image Credit: Albert L. Ortega / Getty Images)
Though Moffat is correct that there has been a ton of positive comments regarding Whittaker’s appointment as the new Doctor, there has still been more than a few naysayers arguing against a female actor being given the iconic role. As we reported on the day of the announcement that Whittaker will portray the Doctor in the next series, many came out of the woodwork to bemoan the choice on the basis of her being a woman, and not her acting credentials. Nude photos of Whittaker were also published by UK tabloids in response to the announcement.
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Peter Capaldi, the current Doctor, has pledged his support to Whittaker taking over the role. “I spoke to her the other day and she’s so full of excitement and so full of passion about the show”, he said. “She really, really loves the show, and she’s a brilliant actress. So it’s really thrilling to know that it’s in the hands of someone who cares for it so deeply. And is going to do really, really exciting things with it. She’s a great choice, as far as I’m concerned.”
A new trailer for the upcoming Doctor Who Christmas special was also shown during the Comic-Con, which can be viewed below:
