Jodie Whittaker says she’s 'too old to care' about trolls as Doctor Who legacy and Frauds trailer unfold

Jodie Whittaker has said she is “too old to care” about online trolls who criticized her casting as Doctor Who, marking a rare public reflection on the backlash that accompanied her historic appointment in 2017. The English actor, now 43, said the decision to appoint the first female Doctor drew substantial criticism from some fans who argued the role should stay with a white man. Her comments come as she and Suranne Jones prepare to headline ITV’s new six-part heist drama Frauds, whose first-look trailer has just been released.

In an interview with The Times, Whittaker recalled how the initial reaction felt at the moment of the announcement and the days that followed. “Once it was announced — as well as a few grumpy pumps — for a lot of people it felt like a really wonderful moment,” she said. “The hateful are always the loudest. If they're angry and loud, it doesn't mean you have to listen - also it's exhausting, and I'm too old to care.” The comments underscore a broader conversation about the pressures actors face when stepping into long‑established, gendered or racialized roles, and about how audiences reacted to Whittaker’s tenure. The discussion also nods to Whittaker’s successor, Ncuti Gatwa, who has spoken about facing similar online vitriol as the show looks to its next phase.

Frauds, the ITV project that stars Whittaker alongside Suranne Jones, offers a different kind of spotlight. The trailer introduces a darkly comic, high-stakes tale about two conwomen who plan “the art heist of the century.” Bert, played by Jones, has just been released from prison for compassionate grounds after a terminal diagnosis, and she seeks out her former partner Sam, portrayed by Whittaker, to mount one last job. The teaser promises a story built on a toxic yet playful friendship, heavy on tension and betrayal as the pair assemble a team and plot a daring theft against Spain’s art scene. The reveal of the heist’s target—stealing a painting from the biggest gallery in Spain—frames Frauds as a psychological duel as much as a manhunt or caper, with the coastline and the underbelly of crime forming a vivid backdrop.

The show is described as six parts and features an ensemble that expands beyond its two leads. In addition to Whittaker and Jones, the cast includes Horacio Colomé, Christian Cooke, Talisa Garcia, Elizabeth Berrington, and Lee Boardman, among others. Suranne Jones is also a co-creator on the series, working with Anne-Marie O’Connor, whose writing credits include Hellraisers. Jones has spoken about Frauds as a wild ride that flips the heist genre on its head by grounding it in character and emotional stakes. “We took the idea of toxic female friendship and turned it on its head to give the heist genre an emotional heartbeat,” she said. Whittaker and Jones have spoken in recent weeks about the opportunity to explore a partnership that blends sharp wit with high-tension crime.

Filming on Frauds has concluded, and production notes emphasize the drama’s visual scope. The drama is set against the rolling hills of southern Spain and a shadowy criminal underworld that interacts with a sunlit coast, creating a striking contrast for the narrative. The trailer’s closing beat—Bert’s warning to Sam to “trust nobody, kid”—highlights the constant suspicion and risk that threads through the storyline. The project arrives as Whittaker continues to build a diverse post-Doctor Who career, with Frauds adding to a growing slate of acclaimed television roles. The collaboration with Suranne Jones marks a notable pairing for both actors, who have expressed enthusiasm about bringing sharp, complicated female leads to the screen.

The conversation around Whittaker’s casting and the reception it provoked is part of a broader reckoning within culture and entertainment over representation and fan response. While some audiences initially pushed back against the break with tradition, Whittaker has continued to emphasize pride in making history and in bringing new perspectives to a beloved franchise. The discussion about trolls—how they are loud, persistent, and often disconnected from the broader audience’s genuine enthusiasm—refrains from dwelling on negativity and instead centers on the opportunities cast by such visibility. In Frauds, Whittaker’s Sam is presented as a complex partner to Jones’s Bert, a dynamic that highlights how female-led storytelling can drive both tension and humor.

The Frauds trailer arrives at a moment when audiences are increasingly receptive to fresh takes on familiar genres. By pairing two celebrated actors in a high-stakes caper with a focus on the psychological interplay within a criminal partnership, the series aims to deliver more than the conventional heist beat. The inclusion of a diverse cast, and the involvement of Suranne Jones as co-creator, signals an emphasis on character-driven drama alongside the procedural elements of the caper. Viewers can expect a story that delves into loyalty, betrayal, and the costs of ambition, all set against a visually arresting backdrop that blends the elegance of European art spaces with a grittier underworld.

Whittaker’s comments about resilience in the face of online criticism reflect a broader conversation within the industry about the boundaries of public scrutiny and the toll of online toxicity. She has indicated that while the reactions to her Doctor Who casting were intense, they did not deter her or define her approach to the role. The enduring interest in her portrayal—along with the anticipation for Frauds—illustrates how contemporary audiences are balancing reverence for legacy franchises with appetite for new voices and fresh collaborations. Frauds promises to extend Whittaker’s range beyond the science fiction universe, offering a platform where she can explore depth and versatility in a contemporary, grounded drama.

Images: