Doctor Who’s Jodie Whittaker reveals why “disrupting the lore” is crucial after Timeless Child reveal

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Jodie Whittaker, in a candid discussion, spoke about Chris Chibnall’s contentious choice to deviate from Doctor Who’s established lore in crafting the Timeless Child storyline – and explained how such a departure is fundamentally important for the series.

As the fortunate individual who took on the role of the Thirteenth Doctor from 2018 through 2022, I was thrilled to make a comeback earlier this year for Ncuti Gatwa’s swan song, “The Reality War.

Reflecting upon my stint as the Doctor in a recent chat, I pondered over the captivating Timeless Child saga, a revelation that unveiled me as an entity hailing from unknown origins. This mind-boggling twist has turned everything we thought we knew about me and my past manifestations on their heads.

It was a personal storyline for Chibnall, who was inspired by his own experience being adopted.

As a writer for Doctor Who, it can be quite terrifying for a Whovian like me to potentially alter the established facts and traditions of the show, which are cherished by fans.

Despite the vulnerability involved, courageously baring one’s soul in such a deeply personal manner is what makes ‘Doctor Who’ so enduring and captivating. Every writer who contributes brings their own unique, intimate perspective to the show, making it something we continue to want to engage with.

“If you only tried to do what’s been done before, the show would have died long ago.”

Instead, Whittaker noted that the Timeless Child storyline was effective because it was given enough time to unfold throughout an entire season, as opposed to being rushed and compressed within just a few episodes.

She noted that not every doctor is burdened by this fact; it only affected her doctor during her time. You don’t need to carry this revelation with you constantly. It doesn’t mean forgetting the event, as it will always be part of their personal history, but rather not dwelling on it excessively.

Instead of speculating that Russell T Davies might undo some storylines created during Chibnall’s tenure, it turned out that he opted to emphasize the concept of the Timeless Child, which played a significant role in the backstory for Ruby Sunday (portrayed by Millie Gibson).

In other words, being an orphan – having been abandoned and then adopted by the Time Lords – carries emotional weight in this context.”

The main idea is to convey that the character of the Doctor (being an orphan who was adopted by the Time Lords) has significant emotional implications, and this can be emphasized during the performance. The paraphrase tries to capture the essence of the original sentence while making it more natural and easy to read.

He added: “I prefer to steer clear of scientific jargon, as it holds no relevance during our morning discussions.

If the discussion involves families who welcome children through adoption, fostering, or finding them abandoned, that’s when it starts making sense for me. In other words, that’s how we understand it.

This will provide plenty of ammunition and fuel for the future. You might remember Millie Ruby, who was left at the church doorstep like a foundling. This sets up an intriguing connection between the Doctor and their companion as their lives intertwine.

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2025-09-11 18:04