Female Doctor

These are some thoughts I've collected on the fact that the Doctor changes gender and/or sex in their twelfth regeneration (Peter Capaldi to Jodie Whittaker). I don't agree with all of the points, and I'm personally not bothered by the change (I don't watch the new series very often), but I thought it would be interesting to collate them in one place.

There are two areas to explore with regards to the concept of a female Doctor:

1. Is it consistent with the established Doctor Who universe?
2. Is it a good idea from a television perspective?

Established Doctor Who universe

Arguments in favour of a female Doctor being possible:

• No previous work has explicitly stated that it is impossible to change gender or sex on regeneration.
• Regeneration involves a complete bodily change - height, weight, appearance, personality. It's not too big a leap for this to include sex.
• The Master has changed gender/sex on regeneration.

Arguments against:

• The Master's change is down to him extending his life beyond the permitted twelve regenerations.

Television

Arguments in favour of a female Doctor:

• Provides a strong role model for female viewers.
• There's no inherent reason why male viewers cannot be inspired by a female role model.

Arguments against a female Doctor:

• The Doctor was one of very few male role models who doesn't attempt to solve problems by force or violence.