Actress Jodie Whittaker has been announced as the 13th Time Lord on Doctor Who and the internet has exploded in a sexist outrage from male fans saying they’ll quit the series.

The announcement was made today on exclusively on BBC One and social media following the completition of the Men’s Wimbledon Finals.

“I’m beyond excited to begin this epic journey with Chris and with every Whovian on this planet,” Whittaker said in a statement.  “It’s more than an honour 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.”

She will take over for actor Peter Capaldi, who is exiting the series this year.  She received an endorsement from the departing Time Lord.

“Anyone who has seen Jodie Whittaker’s work will know that she is a wonderful actress of great individuality and charm,” says Capaldi.  “She has above all the huge heart to play this most special part.  She’s going to be a fantastic Doctor.”

The decision to cast the first woman in the role came from Chris Chibnall, who takes over as Steven Moffat’s role as the new head writer and executive producer.

“After months of lists, conversations, auditions, recalls, and a lot of secret-keeping, we’re excited to welcome Jodie Whittaker as the Thirteenth Doctor,” Chibnall says.  “I always knew I wanted the Thirteenth Doctor to be a woman and we’re thrilled to have secured our number one choice.  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 Thirteenth Doctor is on her way.”

The news wasn’t without the gloom from sexist fans of Doctor Who–many of which have said that they will stop watching the series now that there’s a female playing the Time Lord.  That’s a shame.