I also never piped in on the whole kerfuffle (although it didn't materialize into one here) on the casting change and the choice of Jodie Whittaker to step into the role.
After mulling over it for some time, just want to say that it's not like we haven't been prepared for the possibility--just that so few fans thought the producers would actually follow through on the idea. (Is it in fact true that Joanna Lumley was considered as a successor to Tom Baker, back in the early 80s? If so, this really isn't such a novel idea...) The worst thing about it, if there's anything "bad" so far, is that given this actress' past association with the new showrunner, it smacks a bit of cronyism on his part.
For those of you who've never heard Jodie Whittaker, here is a BBC interview where she gives her first real thoughts at being chosen to play the next Doctor:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p05br8l3If that's how she's going to deliver her lines, then first approximation for her portrayal is female Eccleston. (Her accent is actually broader than either his or Capaldi's!) Or will she go the Tennant route and try something closer to RP?**
I also hope they go with the clothes she wore in the reveal announcement as her costume, at least for a while. It would provide a sense of continuity with Capaldi's Doctor.
**(If you can, look on Youtube and try to find Tennant's delivery of Hamlet's soliloquy. He is ABSOLUTELY SPELLBINDING.)
cheers,
Gabe