Jodie Whittaker has told fans 'don't be scared of my gender' after she was announced as the first woman to play the lead role in Doctor Who.

The Broadchurch actress was revealed as Peter Capaldi's successor as the Time Lord on Sunday afternoon following the Men's Wimbledon Final, making her the 13th reincarnation of the much-loved character.

However, the decision to cast a female actress in the role, which has previously been played by men and is currently held by Peter Capaldi, divided fans.

Broadchurch star Jodie Whittaker has been confirmed as the new Doctor. The announcement was made on BBC One after the Men's Wimbledon Final today

She said: 'It feels completely overwhelming, as a feminist, as a woman, as an actor, as a human, as someone who wants to continually push themselves and challenge themselves, and not be boxed in by what you're told you can and can't be.

'It feels incredible.'

She also reassured fans to 'not be scared by my gender'.

'Because this is a really exciting time, and Doctor Who represents everything that's exciting about change,' she said, adding: 'The fans have lived through so many changes, and this is only a new, different one, not a fearful one.'

While many praised the BBC and the show's writers for choosing a female actress, others slammed the decision as 'political correctness gone mad'.

The 35-year-old, who was born in Skelmanthorpe, West Yorkshire, trained at the Guidhall School of Music and Drama

Twitter user David Stephens said: 'Sorry this is so called equality, women's rights, political correctness gone mad-Dr Who was written/created as a man! End of.'

Clive Walton agreed, writing on his Twitter page: 'No the character is a man not a woman! As usual the BBC have to muddy the waters through political correctness that's what they do!'

Responding to the BBC's announcement, former fan Tony Moretta said on the social networking site: 'Well you're one viewer down already.'

She said: 'I'm beyond excited to begin this epic journey - with Chris and with every Whovian on this planet. It's more than an honour to play the Doctor'. Right, she is pictured with her husband Christian Contreras

David Stephens said: 'Sorry this is so called equality, women's rights, political correctness gone mad-Dr Who was written/created as a man! End of.'

Clive Walton agreed, writing on his Twitter page: 'No the character is a man not a woman! As usual the BBC have to muddy the waters through political correctness that's what they do!'

But the casting won the praise of Sixth Doctor Colin Baker, who said: 'As a father of daughters - result!'

Whittaker, 35, revealed she had told 'a lot of lies' in order to keep the announcement secret and had used the codename Clooney when discussing the role with her husband and agent.

It will see the actress team up with Broadchurch creator Chris Chibnall on the hit sci-fi series as he takes over from Steven Moffat as executive producer.

Explaining how she won the part, she said: 'We had a strange chat earlier this year where he tricked me into thinking we were talking about Broadchurch.

'And I started to quiz him about his new job in Wales, and asked him if I could be a baddie. And he quickly diverted the conversation to suggest I should consider auditioning to be the 13th Clooney.

'It was the most incredible chat because I asked every question under the sun, and I said I'd take a few weeks to decide whether I was going to audition.

Tony Moretta said on the social networking site: 'Well you're one viewer down already.'

Another user, who tweets under the name of Sick of Tolerance, wrote: 'I trust her companion will be a disabled, transgender, asexual, Muslim Afro Caribbean gay all rolled into one to keep the PC BBC happy'

Georgina Hewitson tweeted: 'I must say I'm pleased we might get a generation of little girls running around with sonic screwdrivers and lightsabers'

'He got a phone call within 24 hours. He would've got a phone call sooner, but my husband was away and there was a time difference.'

She added the freedom the role enjoys was why she wanted to become an actress in the first place.

Asked if she had been given any advice from previous actors who had played the role, Whittaker said: 'Well they can't because they haven't known until now, but I'm certainly expecting a couple of calls - I've got a couple of mates in there.

'I'm mates with a companion (Arthur Darvill), I'm mates with a trio of Doctors.

'I know Matt Smith, Chris Eccleston and obviously David Tennant. Oh! And let's throw in David Bradley! Four Doctors! So I'm hoping I get some calls of advice.'

But the decision won the praise of Sixth Doctor Colin Baker, who said: 'Well I never the BBC really did do the right thing and let the Doctor be in touch with her feminine side. As a father of daughters - result!'

Many fans of the show have expressed their delight over the decision to cast the actress.

The teaser begins with a mysterious, cloaked figure making their way through a wood

The suspenseful clip initially gives no clues as to the identity of the new Doctor

The figure stops and holds out an empty hand only for the key to the Tardis to materialise out of thin air

Georgina Hewitson tweeted: 'I must say I'm pleased we might get a generation of little girls running around with sonic screwdrivers and lightsabers.'

Amy Downes wrote: 'So pleased about #doctor13 - a fantastic actor and brave and exciting move from @BBCOne. Thank you Beeb - it's going [to] be amazing.'

One person, who tweets under the name Kagekabuki, reminded people of the television show's previous decisions to feature women in other prominent roles in the show.

They said: 'Friendly reminder that the TARDIS [the name of the spaceship the Doctor travels in] is female and The Corsair [another Time Lord] had male and female reincarnations.'

Amy Downes wrote: 'So pleased about #doctor13 - a fantastic actor and brave and exciting move from @BBCOne. Thank you Beeb - it's going [to] be amazing.'

One person, who tweets under the name Kagekabuki, reminded people of the television show's previous decisions to feature women in other prominent roles in the show

MP Jess Phillips wrote: 'If I'm honest I'm not fussed who plays Doctor Who but I like to see nice people being delighted and annoying the others'

The camera pans to reveal a woman is the mysterious wandered trudging through the wood

What we've all been waiting for: Broadchurch star Jodie Whittaker removes her hood to reveal she is the first ever female Doctor Who

In a testament to the acclaimed actress, ex-Doctor Peter Capaldi said: 'She has above all the huge heart to play this most special part. She's going to be a fantastic Doctor'

'Making history is what Doctor Who is all about', said Charlotte Moore, Director of BBC Content

Jess Phillips, MP for Birmingham Yardley, also waded into the debate. She said: 'If I'm honest I'm not fussed who plays Doctor Who but I like to see nice people being delighted and annoying the others.'

One mother also filmed the heart-warming moment Ms Whittaker was revealed as the Doctor - much to her daughter's delight.

Jenny Trout, from Michigan, filmed her daughter intensely watching the new trailer at their home.

In the footage, posted on her Twitter page, the young girl is seen watching the video.

Jenny Trout, from Michigan, filmed her daughter intensely watching the new Doctor Who trailer at their home

As Ms Whittaker is revealed, Ms Trout's daughter then turns to the camera with a huge smile on her face.

She then opens her mouth in shock and shouts: 'The new Doctor is a girl!' before the video ends.

It has been retweeted nearly 8,600 times and liked nearly 26,000 times.

New head writer and executive producer Chris Chibnall, who takes over from Steven Moffat on the next series, made the decision to cast the first ever woman in the iconic role.

He said: 'I always knew I wanted the Thirteenth Doctor to be a woman and we're thrilled to have secured our number one choice.

'Her audition for The Doctor simply blew us all away. Jodie is an in-demand, funny, inspiring, super-smart force of nature and will bring loads of wit, strength and warmth to the role. The Thirteenth Doctor is on her way.'

As Ms Whittaker is revealed, Ms Trout's daughter then turns to the camera with a huge smile on her face

Mr Capaldi announced plans to step down from the alien role in January, which prompted some fans and critics to call for Mr Moffat to change the Doctor's gender.

Mr Moffat, who also co-wrote the BAFTA award-winning Sherlock series with Mark Gatiss, had previously come under fire for choosing another man to play the role after Mr Capaldi was cast.

Speaking to BBC Radio 4, he said: 'I didn't not cast a woman... I cast a man. I didn't [cast a woman] because I wanted to cast Matt Smith and I wanted to cast Peter Capaldi.

'I didn't think it was a terrible idea [to cast a woman], I just thought, 'I want to cast those people' – that was it.'

He later flirted with the idea of casting a female doctor in the eighth series by casting Green Wing actress Michelle Gomez as The Doctor's archenemy, The Master.

Prior to Ms Gomez's casting, where she dubbed herself as 'Missy' rather than The Master, only men had held the role.

However, the character's future is now in question after Missy was killed and John Simm, who previously played the Master before Ms Gomez was cast, returned in 'The Doctor Falls'.

Ms Whittaker, who was born in Skelmanthorpe, West Yorkshire, trained at the Guidhall School of Music and Drama and made her professional debut in the play The Storm at the Shakespeare's Globe theatre 12 years ago.

The 35-year-old starred in the films St Trinian's, Good and Attack the Block and the television shows Tess of the D'Urbervilles, Return to Cranford, Marchlands and Black Mirror.

But Ms Whittaker gained notoriety after starring in the thrilling crime drama, Broadchurch, alongside Tenth Doctor, David Tennant.

She played Beth Latimer, the mother of 11-year-old Danny, who was found dead on a beach after being murdered.

The show became a huge success, winning several BAFTAs, and was praised by critics for its gripping story lines, which the production team went to great lengths to keep secret.

Ms Whittaker as Beth and Andrew Buchan as Mark in the ITV hit Broadchurch, which told the story of how their son was murdered

She is pictured with Viggo Mortensen in the 2008 movie Good, the story of John Halder

Speaking about her new role, she said: 'I'm beyond excited to begin this epic journey - with Chris and with every Whovian on this planet. It's more than an honour to play the Doctor.

'It means remembering everyone I used to be, while stepping forward to embrace everything the Doctor stands for: hope. I can't wait.'

Mr Capaldi praised the decision to choose Ms Whittaker and said: 'Anyone who has seen Jodie Whittaker's work will know that she is a wonderful actress of great individuality and charm.

'She has above all the huge heart to play this most special part. She's going to be a fantastic Doctor.'

Charlotte Moore, Director of BBC Content said: 'Making history is what Doctor Who is all about and Chris Chibnall's bold new take on the next Time Lord is exactly that.

'The nation is going to fall in love with Jodie Whittaker - and have lots of fun too!'

Jodie's predecessors: The 12 men who were cast as The Doctor The BBC's hit Sci-fi show Doctor Who was first launched by the BBC in 1963. It chronicles the journey of a Time Lord called 'The Doctor'. He is first introduced after fleeing his home planet, Gallifrey. The Doctor travels through time and space in his spaceship, called a TARDIS (Time And Relative Dimension In Space), which resembles a police box. During his travels, The Doctor meets people and invites them to voyage with him. They are known as his companions. He also encounters several evil beings, such as Daleks and Cyberman, and is forced to defeat them sing minimal resources, such as his Sonic Screwdriver, as they try to destroy or take over other planets, including Earth. As a Time Lord, The Doctor has the capacity to regenerate when he is wounded or dying. After regenerating, he takes on a new appearance and personality. The concept of regenerating was added into the series after the First Doctor, William Hartnell, became ill and stepped down from his role. The first run of Doctor Who ended in 1989 before being revived in 2005 with Christopher Ecclestone as the Ninth Doctor. Below is the full list of the actors who have been cast as the Doctor from 1963 to 2013. Starting the legacy: The First Doctor William Hartnell (1963-1966) Second and Third: Patrick Troughton (1966–1969) and Jon Pertwee (1970–1974) Fourth and Fifth: Tom Baker (1974–1981) and Peter Davison (1981–1984) Sixth and Seventh: Colin Baker (1984–1986) and Sylvester McCoy (1987–1989, 1996) Eighth and Ninth: Paul McGann (1996) and Christopher Eccleston (2005) Tenth and Eleventh: David Tennant (2005-2010) and Matt Smith (2010-2013) Twelfth: Peter Capaldi (2013 - 2017) Advertisement

Piers Wenger, Controller BBC Drama added: 'Jodie is not just a talented actor but she has a bold and brilliant vision for her Doctor.

'She aced it in her audition both technically and with the powerful female life force she brings to the role.

'She is destined to be an utterly iconic Doctor.'

Matt Strevens, Executive Producer said: 'I'm so thrilled that Jodie Whittaker said yes to playing the Doctor.

'I've been a fan for years and always hoped to work with her. She is an actor of great emotional range and inhabits every role with complete passion and conviction.

'Just thinking about what she will bring to the Doctor makes me as excited as a kid at Christmas. It's going to be a lot of fun.'