
It has actually happened. The thing that Doctor Who fans have both dreamed of and inexplicably feared: it will be a woman who plays the next incarnation of an ancient shape-shifting, gender-swapping alien.
The closing moments of the Wimbledon Men's Final were watched closely by both tennis fans and those-who-only-watched-for-the-announcement - and, in an unprecedented casting, Jodie Whittaker was announced as the thirteenth doctor.
Whittaker, who rose to fame in Broadchurch, has been touted as one of the contenders since Peter Capaldi announced he was leaving in January.
And everyone seems to have opinions on her casting.
First, there was the dreaded wait for the announcement.
Why are they still talking about tennis and not Doctor Who.— Ian Dunt (@Ian Dunt) 1500218321
Doctor Who fans learning more about tennis than we've ever wanted to know #doctor13— LetterheadFromSpace (@LetterheadFromSpace) 1500218009
There are two types of people watching #Wimbledon. Those who enjoy tennis, and those waiting to find out who the 13th Doctor is #DoctorWho— Doctor Who Today (@Doctor Who Today) 1500218281
When the wait was finally over, most people struggled to contain their emotion:
WE HAVE TAKEN YOUR GHOSTBUSTERS AND STAR WARS AND SUPERHEROES AND DOCTOR WHO NOTHING IS SACRED WE WILL DEFILE IT ALL WITH OUR WOMANLY HANDS— elliot (@elliot) 1500220066
A few pointed out an important point that most of us are missing.
Never mind that the new Doctor Who is a woman – she's from YORKSHIRE. New catchphrase: "switch that immersion off; I'm not made of money"— Justin Myers (@Justin Myers) 1500219916
Others are concerned that a female doctor will run into problems.
What's the betting #DoctorWho is still addressed as Mrs Who when checking into hotels...— Greg Jenner (@Greg Jenner) 1500220571
Not everyone was impressed. After all, Broadchurch stars are so over-represented in the industry.
Yawn. Another #Broadchurch star cast as the Doctor. Why can't they do something different for a change...… https://t.co/zj6v2F4vJc— Paul Jones (@Paul Jones) 1500219479
And surely women are doing enough stuff already.
Oh great a female Doctor Who. What next? Female real doctors? Female pilots? Female scientists? Female sisters and mothers? Female WOMEN?!— Mark Hoppus (@Mark Hoppus) 1500219412
Gary Lineker worried that the thirteenth doctor might not compete with the most resilient of our football stars.
The 13th Doctor Who may be a woman, but can she do it on a cold, wet Tuesday night in Stoke in 2143.— Gary Lineker 💙 (@Gary Lineker 💙) 1500219547
While most of us are just excited for a new Doctor, including Whittaker herself.
"Playing the Doctor means stepping forward to embrace everything the character stands for: hope." - Jodie Whittaker… https://t.co/6dBCjvQy8J— WhovianNet (@WhovianNet) 1500221340