Sadly, no. The casting of English actress Jodie Whittaker as the first female Doctor Who has been more a case of one step forward, a giant drag back to reality.
The British science-fiction television series has been gracing screens for more than 50 years and has become a firm favourite of generations of fans the world over. The Time Lord, the Doctor's travelling companion, the Tardis and the Daleks have become popular culture icons.
The casting of the title role is a big deal, therefore, and there was much speculation about who would take the role of the 13th Doctor. Would the BBC stick with tradition or venture away from the white male mould and boldly go where none had gone before?
It turned out to be so. To the list of former leading men (William Hartnell, Patrick Troughton, Jon Pertwee, Tom Baker, Peter Davison, Colin Baker, Sylvester McCoy, Paul McGann, Christopher Eccleston, David Tennant, Matt Smith and Peter Capaldi), Jodie Whittaker's name has been added.
The revelation was broadcast, and among the reactions to go viral online was one of a young girl, filmed watching the moment. Her face lights up as she turns to her mother and declares excitedly: ''The new Doctor is a girl!''
The importance of such role-modelling in popular culture cannot be underestimated. Female representation on screen is a small - but significant - piece of the equal opportunity puzzle.
Sadly, actresses still have to counter the issue of gross pay inequity, but for girls and young women, it is vital to have some impressive screen goddesses to admire. Hopefully, they can be inspired and supported and empowered in their own lives.
Sadly, and predictably however, after the announcement, there were also many haters online, declaring their childhood memories had been destroyed, the casting was political correctness gone mad and some vowed they would never watch the show again.
Worse though, were the British tabloids, who did not take long to sully the moment by publishing nude photographs of Whittaker, with headings such as ''Dalektable'', salacious descriptions about the ''saucy'' skin shots and lengthy descriptions about the revealing scenes. (The images in question were from previous screen roles that required nudity.)
The content was demeaning, vindictive and misogynist. The attempt to play the shame game was shameful itself. It showed meaningful progress on gender equality is still light years away in some areas. Women are still judged on their looks, their bodies, their sex appeal, not their talent and achievements.
If it wasn't so disappointing, it would be almost entertaining that there are those who appear to be threatened by a female fictional character, too.
Some people clearly want time to stand still - even those who profess to revel in time travel tales. Nevertheless, it is pleasing that a significant organisation like the BBC (a traditional male bastion and with some unsavoury past headlines of its own) is moving with the times.
