David Bradley says 'Doctor Who' is in safe hands with Jodie Whittaker because she has "all the emotional range you could want" in an actor.
Peter Capaldi and David Bradley
New showrunner Chris Chibnall has bravely taken the decision to make Whittaker the first woman to play the Gallifreyan time traveller and she will first be seen as the Thirteenth Doctor when Peter Capaldi's Twelfth incarnation regenerates in this year's Christmas special 'Twice Upon a Time'.
Bradley, 75, appears in that episode as the First Doctor - originally portrayed by William Hartnell and brought back to life on the screen by the actor in making of 'Doctor Who' drama 'An Adventure in Space and Time' - and also worked with Whittaker, 35, on Chibnall's crime drama 'Broadchurch' and from that experience he knows she'll be great.
Speaking to the new issue of Doctor Who Magazine, he said: "She has all the emotional range you could want, and she's going to be very funny as well. So she's perfect for the Doctor, really."
Bradley also believes Chibnall is the perfect person to replace outgoing showrunner Steven Moffat because he is such a talented scriptwriter and has lots of history with the BBC sci-fi series.
The 'Game of Thrones' star said: "Chris' scripts are so rich and fascinating. Well-drawn, forceful characters. As an actor, working with Chris, you feel you're in very good hands. As you do with Steven.
"We're all in it together on 'Doctor Who', and everybody wants it to be good. I think Chris will be amazing. Doctor Who's future is in safe hands."
'Twice Upon a Time' will focus on the end of the First Doctor's era and will feature the Twelfth Time Lord having to convince the original that he has to accept his regeneration.
The hour-long special will also be last appearance of Pearl Mackie as companion Bill Potts before Whittaker joins with her new TARDIS team; Bradley Walsh as Graham, Tosin Cole as Ryan and Mandip Gill as Yasmin.
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