Doctor Who: Sylvester McCoy admits his doubts about Jodie Whittaker casting were ‘stupid sexism’

Doctor Who star Sylvester McCoy has admitted that his initial doubts about Jodie Whittaker being cast as the Time Lord were ‘stupid sexism’.

The actor, who played the Seventh Doctor in the classic version of the sci-fi, previously made it clear that he wasn’t convinced about a woman being cast in the role.

He said in 2015, according to The Mirror: ‘I’m sorry, but no – Doctor Who is a male character, just like James Bond. If they changed it to be politically correct, then it would ruin the dynamics between the Doctor and the assistant, which is a popular part of the show. I support feminism, but I’m not convinced by the cultural need of a female Doctor Who.’

However, the 77-year-old has now changed his mind, saying that Jodie won him over ‘in five minutes’.

‘It was stupid sexism,’ he told Radio Times. ‘I thought, “Why change it?” But after five minutes she was the Doctor, as far as I was concerned.’

Jodie was cast in 2017, making history as the first ever woman in the role.

Although nothing has been confirmed, there have been rumours that she’s expected to step down after the next series, which will be her third outing as the Doctor, prompting speculation about who will take a turn in the Tardis next.

As for who he’d like to see in the role, Sylvester added: ‘It has to be someone with lots of character. It can’t be someone bland and beautiful, rather handsome and characterful.

‘I was surprised when they got Matt Smith. He looked about 12, and yet he was brilliant! One minute he looks 12, the next he looks 125. He has the perfect Doctor Who face. So, a surprise. A person of colour would be great.’

Kris Marshall is the current favourite for the 14th Doctor role, overtaking I May Destroy You star Michaela Coel.

Meanwhile, in a poll conducted by Metro.co.uk, fans voted Richard Ayoade as their pick for the Time Lord.

Doctor Who is available to stream on BBC iPlayer.

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