Next Doctor Who will be a woman

BBC and BBC America announced Sunday that the 13th Doctor Who will be Jodie Whittaker, the first woman in the role.

“It's more than an honor to play the Doctor,” Whittaker said. “It means remembering everyone I used to be, while stepping forward to embrace everything the Doctor stands for: hope. I can't wait.”

Whittaker will replace Peter Capaldi as the Time Lord when he leaves the science fiction show at Christmas. New head writer and executive producer Chris Chibnall, who takes over from Steven Moffat, made the decision to cast Whitaker.

“I always knew I wanted the 13th Doctor to be a woman, and we're thrilled to have secured our No. 1 choice,” Chibnall said. “Her audition for the Doctor simply blew us all away. Jodie is an in-demand, funny, inspiring, super-smart force of nature and will bring loads of wit, strength and warmth to the role.”