Jodie Whittaker, who made history in 2017 as the first female Doctor in Doctor Who, has reflected on her emotional farewell to the role. The 39-year-old actress, known for her role in Broadchurch, said she has been 'monologuing' on WhatsApp to co-star Mandip Gill, checking that she is missed. Whittaker's final full series, subtitled Flux, ends on 5 December, with three specials to air in 2022 before a new Doctor takes over.
Whittaker admitted that the drawn-out farewell has been challenging, but she found closure by filming her last scene in chronological order. 'I knew my last shot was my last shot when I filmed it, which was necessary for my head to make sense of it,' she said. She also expressed a maternal feeling towards her successor, saying, 'You are going to have the best time and you're going to smash it.'
Whittaker revealed that she and Mandip Gill made a secret music video for the crew, featuring a power ballad and photos from the past four years. She described it as 'cheesy' and her 'finest work', though it may never see the light of day. The wrap party, held in fancy dress, was a highlight, but Whittaker noted that the best moments came from unexpected interactions with long-time fans over four years.
Reflecting on the pressure of being the first female Doctor, Whittaker recalled a particularly intense moment at New York Comic Con in September 2018, where the first episode was shown live at Madison Square Garden. She admitted to worrying, 'What if I’ve ruined this for actresses?' but ultimately found the experience rewarding.
