In a new Radio Times article, Doctor Who series 11 showrunner Chris Chibnall and his star Jodie Whittaker have been chatting about all things Who.

Chibnall said this about casting the first female Doctor:

“I felt the time was right for a female Doctor – I felt the audience were really ready for it. I think if we hadn’t done it, we would have been really behind the world – and Doctor Who has to be out front leading the world, showcasing all the amazing things out there. So it was never a question in my mind. It was time.”

And he went on to describe Whittaker’s Doctor thusly:

“The 13th Doctor is incredibly warm, funny, energetic, inclusive – she’s the greatest friend you could wish to have as your guide around the universe.”

Jodie Whittaker said this about what seeing a female Doctor will mean to girls around the world:

“And now it isn’t just attainable for half the population. The Other half can be the Doctor as well. Girls will no longer just think, ‘Oh I can be the companion.’ Being the first female Doctor and showing children that their heroes in shows don’t always look the same is a huge honor for me.”

She also said this, touching on the pressure related to taking on this iconic role:

“The pressure on any actor coming into the role – man or woman – is huge because they’re big boots to fill. And for me, there’s been 12 pairs of boots.”

Doctor Who series 10 will run for 10 episodes, debuting on our screens at some point this autumn. The Radio Times issue with Whittaker on the cover is on sale now.