Jodie Whittaker was delighted to get a message of congratulations from David Tennant when she made history by becoming the first woman to be cast as Doctor Who.
The pair had worked closely together on the ITV drama ‘Broadchurch’ – which was created by Chris Chibnall who is the new showrunner on ‘Doctor Who’ – and when she got the key to the TARDIS, David was one of the first people to get in touch to back her as the Time Lord.
As well as speaking to David – who portrayed the Tenth Doctor – she also was lucky enough to receive advice and support from Eleventh Doctor Matt Smith and Twelfth Doctor Peter Capaldi.
Speaking at San Diego Comic-Con, Jodie said: "All I remember [David] saying – and I was lucky to speak to Matt and Peter – all I remember is, ‘This is the most amazing thing that can happen to you and there’s only a few of us who know how it feels.’ "
The former Doctors all told Jodie, 36, that her life would never be the same again because she had become part of a unique and exclusive club.
Jodie told Deadline: "I think the thing that was the overriding message [from all three] was that you are going to have the time of your life.
Also, that this is like no other job, and it’s completely unique for every single person who plays the part."
David has previously praised Jodie’s acting skills and completely backed Chris’ decision to give to the role to a woman.
He said: "Sure, Jodie is from a different gender than anyone who’s gone before, but that will be irrelevant almost immediately when she takes the part. The Doctor can be whatever he needs to be. It’s about finding the right performer at the right time, and that’s Jodie without a doubt. Whenever the Doctor changes, there’s a backlash because that’s a character people love. So people get very affectionate about the Doctor they knew."