New Doctor Who Showrunner Always Wanted A Female Doctor

07/17/2017 05:09 pm EDT

The Internet is still buzzing from Sunday's news that Jodie Whittaker will take over the title role from Peter Capaldi in the upcoming eleventh season of Doctor Who. While the news of a female Doctor came as a pleasant surprise to many, some wondered if the choice was deliberate, or as a reaction to fan campaigning.

But according to Doctor Who's new showrunner, Chris Chibnall, the decision to cast a women in the iconic sci-fi role had been made early on.

"I always knew I wanted the Thirteenth Doctor to be a woman," Chibnall revealed in an official statement, "and we're thrilled to have secured our number one choice."

With Whittaker boasting a noteworthy filmography - including Black Mirror, Attack the Block, and Chibnall's own series Broadchurch, the showrunner reassures that the actress will bring quite a lot to her portrayal as The Doctor.

"Her audition for The Doctor simply blew us all away." Chibnall, who will be replacing Steven Moffat as showrunner, explained. "Jodie is an in-demand, funny, inspiring, super-smart force of nature and will bring loads of wit, strength and warmth to the role. The Thirteenth Doctor is on her way."

"I'm so thrilled that Jodie Whittaker said yes to playing the Doctor," Doctor Who executive producer Matt Stevens revealed. "I've been a fan for years and always hoped to work with her. She is an actor of great emotional range and inhabits every role with complete passion and conviction. Just thinking about what she will bring to the Doctor makes me as excited as a kid at Christmas. It's going to be a lot of fun."

While some naysayers have argued the reasoning for a female Doctor, many have championed Whittaker's casting, citing plenty of in-show hints as proof that it was on the way. With that in mind, the actress' official introduction into Doctor Who in this year's Christmas special - and the Chibnall-led episodes that will follow - are certainly more anticipated now than ever.

The Doctor Who Christmas Special will air on Christmas Day on BBC One and BBC America.

More Doctor Who: Jodie Whittaker Cast As The Thirteenth Doctor / The Internet Reacts To The First Female Doctor / Thirteenth Doctor Teaser Released

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