"No one would expect a Black, middle-aged woman to be Doctor Who, but there we have it" Jo Martin talks about her "groundbreaking" role.

 Speaking to the Radio Times, Jo Martin explained how her role as the Doctor was "groundbreaking".

The Doctor Who and Holby City star said how she felt "honoured to be a part of both these shows" after she became the first black actor to play the Doctor earlier this year. 

"A lot of Black geeks who love sci-fi have sent me pictures of them doing cosplay." She told the Radio Times, "They thank me and tell me it’s great that they now have someone to dress up as, I was a fan of Doctor Who back in the day and not seeing myself on screen as a child was tough. It’s an awful thing to grow up thinking it’s wrong to be Black. So it’s fabulous that there are now characters like this who young kids can look up to.”

BBC

Jo Martin starred alongside Jodie Whittaker as the Doctor in Fugitive of the Judoon earlier this year

Martin was revealed as a previously unseen incarnation of the Doctor earlier this year in the series twelve episode, Fugitive of the Judoon. This twist was a massive landmark in Doctor Who history, one that Jodie Whittaker called "an extraordinary moment". The Doctor's new incarnation went down brilliantly with viewers as many fans suggest Jo Martin should take over in the lead role permanently once Jodie Whittaker steps down.

“What’s really special about these parts is that they’re groundbreaking." Martin said, "No one would expect a Black, middle-aged woman to be Doctor Who, but there we have it."

Doctor Who returns over the Christmas period and Holby City returns this Tuesday.