Whovians, otherwise known as the ginormous Doctor Who fandom are bloody loving Jodie Whittaker after she made her debut as the first-ever female Doctor.
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Whittaker was announced as the franchise’s 13th Doctor back in July of last year and for the most part, fans were supportive of her however there were a decent number of others who were pissed at the gender change.
Safe to say, a lot of eyes were on Whittaker’s debut. Not to mention brand new showrunner Chris Chibnall, who you may known for his excellent work on Broadchurch – a series Whittaker also starred in.
Over the weekend, Whittaker, Chibnall, executive producer Matt Stevens, and BBC America boss Sarah Barnett appeared at New York Comic Con for a special screening of episode one.
“We’re really proud of it,” Chibnall told the crowd as reported by Deadline.
“Its so hard to convey how proud you are and be something and not share it with the most important people, the fans,” Whittaker said.
The debut episode of season 11, titled The Woman Who Fell To Earth, copped a warm reaction from fans on Twitter with many praising Whittaker’s performance in the iconic role.
Others were also thrilled that the Doctor now has three companions, a nod back to the ol’ days.
That was the most ‘Doctor Who’ episode of Doctor Who for a long time. Jodie Whittaker has nailed it at the first attempt. #doctorwho pic.twitter.com/mEVgVf3MIn
— Jeff Howells (@JeffHowells72) October 7, 2018
I have watched every #DoctorWho actor since the first back in 1963. Jodie is quite outstanding & up there with the best. Brings great vibrancy, energy & no little touch of humour to the role. Jodie is Dr. Who.
— Keith Nieland #FBPE (@KeithNieland) October 7, 2018
It’s official. I’m in love with Jodie Whittaker as The Doctor. #doctorwho
— Some call me Jay (@paragonpostcard) October 7, 2018
https://twitter.com/Pyronex02/status/1048996257056923648
https://twitter.com/alicepleasancel/status/1049010713749012483
If you’re a #DoctorWho fan then honestly give the opener a chance. Even if you’re really really not sure about a female Doctor. It has so many elements of what has made Who great previously. It was never a successful show because of one MAN. Be willing to be proven wrong.
— David Bedwell (@DavidBedwell) October 7, 2018
Doctor Who writer Paul Cornell had this to say:
https://twitter.com/Paul_Cornell/status/1049027951088607232
https://twitter.com/Spirited_Enigma/status/1049223365276422144
FINALLY!! Got to watch the new Doctor Who. Got to say Jodi Whittaker is pretty damn good as the doctor. So far seems like a little mix of Eccleston, Tennant, and Smith in there along with what she’s going to bring to the character. Cant wait for the rest of the season #DoctorWho
— Glen (@GR76911) October 8, 2018
All caught up now with #DoctorWho and I am cautiously excited!
(1) Jodie is superb, she just fizzes, she IS the Doctor immediately. The villain felt like a proper threat and the episode looked gorgeous, like high-tier TV (As it deserves to be!).— James Alston (@JamesAlston5) October 8, 2018
Jodie nailed the #DoctorWho opener. She had the unenviable task of basically starting from scratch like Eccleston/Smith with no known companion to link the Doctors together. She fits the role. Thank you for proving the predictable doubters wrong! 😊💜
— Tash ⚓️ (@xxTash23xx) October 8, 2018
She’s fun and cheeky, but with a level of authority. The new companions give us a range of diverse characters that will hopefully lead to a bunch of potential different stories. Bit all over the joint to start, but it can only get better as it usually does. #DoctorWho
— Tash ⚓️ (@xxTash23xx) October 8, 2018
Well done to everyone involved in #DoctorWho – a fantastic start. Slightly darker tone than I expected. #JodieWhitaker was excellent, companions were very good. Loved the more cinematic way it was shot and the atmospheric music was 👌🏼. What was everyone worried about?
— Andrew James (@andrewjames_87) October 8, 2018
https://twitter.com/MaximusBrodie/status/1049050215104352256
Meanwhile, fans in America were just a tad confused by the change in accent – specifically, Whittaker’s Yorkshire accent.
This about sums it up:
The accents are great but tbh can’t understand half of what they’re saying #DoctorWho
— Lizard (@StardustObiWan) October 7, 2018
Of course, the premiere did attract criticism with one fan describing Whittaker’s Doctor as “boring” while another criticised the new showrunner. Others thought the episode didn’t feel very Doctor Who-y at all, some called the new Doctor “cringeworthy”.
Episode one, season 11 aired on ABC earlier this evening but if you missed it/wanna rewatch it/judge it for yourself then you can catch the episode on ABC iview, HERE.
Watch the trailer, below.
