SPOILER ALERT: If you’re planning to watch the Christmas Day “Doctor Who” special and DON’T want to have the much-anticipated regeneration scene spoiled, then beware that spoilers lie ahead…
The new “Doctor Who” Christmas special has aired in the U.K. (it will air tonight in Canada), giving fans a chance to say goodbye to departing Time Lord Peter Capaldi while serving up a debut look at Jodie Whittaker as the show’s first-ever female Doctor.
Whittaker is the 13th actor (and the first woman) to take on the role, and judging by reaction in the Twittersphere her introduction hit all the right notes with fans.
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In the scene from the final minutes of the episode (below), Capaldi’s 12th Doctor regenerates into Whittaker’s 13th Doctor, who catches a glimpse of her new form within the TARDIS. Upon seeing that she’s now a woman, the Doctor breaks into a wide smile and utters, “Oh, brilliant!”
Twitter reaction from fans has been emotional, enthusiastic and overwhelmingly positive:
In an interview with BBC News, Whittaker, 35, admitted she was “beyond excited” to take on one of television’s most iconic roles.
“It’s more than an honour to play the Doctor,” said Whittaker. “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 kick off her debut season when “Doctor Who” returns with new episodes some time in late 2018.
