Jodie Whittaker beats both Peter Capaldi and Matt Smith's Doctor Who debuts with impressive 8.2 million viewers

Whittaker was hailed as the "perfect" choice for the role 
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Emma Powell8 October 2018

Jodie Whittaker’s Doctor Who debut smashed Peter Capaldi and Matt Smith’s, landing the best series opener in more than a decade.

Some 8.2 million viewers tuned in to watch The Woman Who Fell to Earth on Sunday night compared to the 6.8 million and 8 million who watched Capaldi and Smith’s debuts respectively.

The episode had a 40.1 per cent share of viewers in that time slot after going up against 5 Gold Rings on ITV and Phil Spencer’s Stately Homes on Channel 4.

The numbers are likely to increase when those watching on BBC iPlayer are tallied up.

Time Lord: Jodie Whittaker took over the role from Peter Capaldi
BBC

Despite the success, Whittaker’s debut failed to top that of Christopher Ecclestone, who attracted 9.9 million viewers when the sci-fi series was revived in 2005.

Whittaker received rave reviews from fans as she made history as the first female Doctor on Sunday night.

The episode saw the Time Lord meeting new companions Ryan Sinclair (Tosin Cole), Yasmin Khan (Mandip Gill) and Graham O'Brien (Bradley Walsh) after falling from the sky – and realising she was a woman.

On landing, her character joked: “Why are you calling me a madam? Half an hour ago I was a white-haired Scotsman!”

Fans hailed her the “perfect” choice to play the time travelling legend with many rejoicing a northern accent on the box.

One fan tweeted: “I’m 15 minutes in to the new #DoctorWho and oh my god, Jodie Whittaker IS The Doctor. She is incredible, goosebumps.”

New look: Jodie Whittaker as the new doctor in Doctor Who
BBC/Steve Schofield

Another wrote: “Haven’t watched it for years but loved the new, #DoctorWho, Jodie smashed it out of the park.”

A third posted: “Jodie Whittaker is the greatest Doctor and this episode was absolutely phenomenal I haven’t felt this kind of giddy excitement since Matt Smith in 2010 #DoctorWho.”

It comes after show bosses faced a backlash from fans after announcing Whittaker for the part with many unimpressed with the Doctor being played by a woman.

Doctor Who Premiere

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Doctor Who is on BBC One, Sunday at 6:55pm

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