Jodie Whittaker as Doctor Who is First Woman in Role

Jodie Whittaker was unveiled as the first female Doctor Who by the BBC, setting off an explosion on social media this week.

Whittaker, 35, succeeds Peter Capaldi to become the 13th Doctor Who, noted the BBC. Capaldi, who became Doctor Who in 2013, will leave the role in an upcoming Christmas special, where Whittaker will be introduced.

"I'm beyond excited to begin this epic journey – with Chris (Chibnall, 'Doctor Who' executive producer) and with every Whovian on this planet," Whittaker said, according to the BBC. "It's more than an honor to play the Doctor. It means remembering everyone I used to be, while stepping forward to embrace everything the Doctor stands for: hope. I can't wait."

Chibnall, who will also be the head writer for "Doctor Who," said he was excited to have Whittaker as the first female lead character for the long-running British show, The Guardian reported.

"I always knew I wanted the 13th Doctor to be a woman and we're thrilled to have secured our number one choice," Chibnall said, per The Guardian. "Her audition for the Doctor simply blew us all away. Jodie is an in-demand, funny, inspiring, super-smart force of nature and will bring loads of wit, strength and warmth to the role. The 13th Doctor is on her way."

Doctor Who Online site editor Sebastian J. Brook told The Guardian Monday that Whittaker's announcement "shocked" many fans of the show.

"I must admit, I've always been of the opinion that the Doctor is and should be a man," Brook told the publication. "He has always identified as male in the series, and after 50+ years, it's certainly going to take some getting used to, but I support the show and Jodie is a fantastic actress, so she gets my full support, too."

The response to the new Doctor Who on social media was plenty and varied greatly.

Now the liberal batteground moves onto my favourite show. First they take shots at Donald Trump, now they go full liberal warrior. #DWDIED

— Mr. President (@PresidentSnider) July 17, 2017

Good, It's about time they killed that series.

— someoldjoker (@someoldjoker) July 17, 2017

Surprise as alien life form Doctor Who nerds are most frightened of turns out to be ‘women’.

— HaveIGotNewsForYou (@haveigotnews) July 17, 2017

Do I have to remind you that the only nurse in Doctor Who was Rory? So, nurses can be males and doctors can be females. It's not that hard.

— Jötundóttir (@Jotundottir) July 17, 2017

• Olaf Pooley, British Actor Best Known for 'Doctor Who,' Dies at 101
• Matt LeBlanc, Chris Evans Clash Over 'Top Gear' Cohosting: Report