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Jodie Whittaker’s New Year message as Doctor Who returns: “Don’t lose hope”

Jodie Whittaker’s New Year message as Doctor Who returns: “Don’t lose hope”

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Doctor Who returns to our screens on the first day of the 2020s and Jodie Whittaker has spoken exclusively to The Big Issue about her hopes and dreams for the new year and new decade.

“What we should do going forward, and what I feel I need reminding to do, is take huge inspiration from the groups of young people who are putting their voices out there and articulating what we grown-ups can’t,” she says in our New Year edition of the magazine.

“We have Greta [Thunberg] putting herself at risk of criticism to say what needs to be said to move us forward – and we as grown-ups can take inspiration from a united massing of non-violent protest and voice. It’s inspiring.”

As someone who time-travels on television for a living – and does it better than ever judging by the electrifying New Year’s Day episode, Spyfall (Part I) – Whittaker offers a unique perspective on the new year.

She says: “However deflated we feel, throughout history, people have come together and got over massive hurdles. But the one we potentially can’t get over is climate change. So how can our generation think we shouldn’t be listening to the next one? I mean, they’re the ones that have to deal with all this.

“You are never too old or too young to give advice. So you need to be able to receive it from any age group. The new year needs to be open ears and open hearts. Don’t lose hope.”

Whittaker also explains how she takes inspiration from her television alter-ego, and how she feels fully at home in the Tardis as her second full series begins.

“What’s so incredible about playing the Doctor is that fearlessness,” she says. “Knowing the outcome could be devastating but doing it anyway, swimming out and not saving anything for the swim back. That is really extraordinary…

“I feel like I’ve been accepted as the Doctor,” Whittaker continues. “There was a pressure. If I’d have been a guy in this role I’d have only been representing my own casting as an individual. But it felt like I could hold people back if nobody liked what I brought to the Doctor.

“The gender question is now going away. Hopefully it won’t make the news next time.”

In a wide-ranging interview, the 37-year-old star reveals that there may be dark times ahead for The Doctor as she experiences more horrors and further heartbreaks…

“Some of those things take a particular toll,” says Whittaker.

“The new series is a huge learning curve… but I can’t tell you how. And this isn’t my last season so there’s no point cramming every single side of the entire character into every episode. We’re not in a rush because we hand these shoes on. For me it’s a transition through this universe. And it’s an epic journey.”

Read the full interview in The Big Issue magazine, on sale from 27 December across the UK

Doctor Who returns on New Year’s Day then continues on Sunday evenings from 5 January on BBC One

Sir Lenny Henry criticises the show’s diversity?

Sir Lenny Henry criticises the show’s diversity?

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Sir Lenny Henry has criticised hit BBC One show Doctor Who for a lack of diversity in recent seasons.

The comedian – who is set to appear in the sci fi show’s upcoming New Year special – has claimed that TV bosses “would rather have a dog do Doctor Who than a black person” during an interview with London’s Colourful Radio.

“Why have we never had a black Doctor Who? They would rather have a dog do Doctor Who than a black person. There’s no black people in Doctor Who,” he said (via The Sun).

"The Long Song" Photocall
“The Long Song” Photocall

“When [former head writer] Russell T Davies was doing Doctor Who, there was so many black people in the show,” he continued, before adding: “I rang up and said, ‘There are too many black people in the show — put in some white people, it’s getting embarrassing’.

“Discussing how he thinks television can become more inclusive going forward, the 61-year-old said that the only way to achieve authentic representation is to make changes behind the scenes too.

Doctor Who season 11, episode 7, 'Kerblam!'
Doctor Who season 11, episode 7, ‘Kerblam!’

“I only think when the decision-makers and the gatekeepers and producers and the executives look like the people you see when you’re walking down the street in your area will things change,” he said.

“We’re still a long way away. The ‘in’ group who are in charge of everything are getting complacent. They’re mistaking pro-black for anti-white.

“People have to stop being upset when racism gets called out. Not everyone is racist, but when we hear monkey chants at football matches somebody is doing it. Somebody has to take responsibility for it.”

When Jodie Whittaker returns for her second season as The Doctor in the New Year’s Day two-part special ‘Spyfall’, Henry is set to play a morally ambiguous tech guy.

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BBC

“We don’t know what side he’s on but there’s something going on,” Henry teased, before adding: “I’m so glad they didn’t make me wear tentacles, I get to wear a tuxedo.

“Doctor Who returns on New Year’s Day on BBC One in the UK and BBC America in the US.

Stephen Fry and Sir Lenny Henry CBE star in Series 12

Stephen Fry and Sir Lenny Henry CBE star in Series 12

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Two national treasures, Stephen Fry and Sir Lenny Henry CBE, will appear in Series 12 of Doctor Who, broadcasting in early 2020.

With the TARDIS hurtling full throttle on its way back to our screens, it is only right that two British TV legends will be making their Doctor Who debut.

TV icons Stephen Fry and Sir Lenny Henry CBE will both appear in the series opener when the TARDIS lands once more, with Jodie Whittaker reprising her role as the Thirteenth Doctor. Armed with a wealth of acting, comedy and writing credentials both are more than equipped to come face to face with the Time Lord and her friends, but whether they will be friend or foe remains to be seen…

Speaking ahead of his Doctor Who appearance Stephen Fry said:

“Short of being picked for a British space exploration programme and I readily concede that I’m past the age where I’d be considered (if I was ever the right age for such a posting) – then being in an episode of Doctor Who will certainly do as a very sweet second-place excitement.”

Sir Lenny Henry CBE added:

“It was absolutely brilliant to be welcomed into the fantastical world of Doctor Who. The nearest I have been to the TARDIS was when I played the Caribbean Doctor in the Lenny Henry Show, so as a life-long (hiding behind the sofa type) Doctor Who fan this is a very special moment for me.”

Chris Chibnall, showrunner said:

“Doctor Who is coming back with a bang – with two great British icons in major roles. One of the great joys of Doctor Who is getting to work with actors from your wish list. Stephen and Lenny are two of my absolute favourite actors – and to be able to bring them into Doctor Who, in our one of our biggest ever stories to kick off the new series, is an absolute thrill.”

Doctor Who will return with Jodie Whittaker reprising her role as the Thirteenth Doctor alongside Tosin Cole (Ryan), Mandip Gill (Yaz) and Bradley Walsh (Graham) who are all returning for their second series.

Doctor Who makes an explosive return to screens in early 2020 for another action-packed series of thrilling adventures.