Ncuti Gatwa Announced As The New Doctor Who

Ncuti Gatwa, the Rwandan-Scottish actor has been announced as the 14^th Doctor Who in the BBC series. Best known for his Scottish BAFTA-winning role as Eric Effiong in Sex Education, the 29 year old actor is set to embark on a new journey through time and space in 2023.

The announcement

Expressing his excitement of playing the Doctor and working alongside the acclaimed returning showrunner Russel T Davies, Ncuti Gatwa explained in a statement:

“There aren’t quite the words to describe how I’m feeling. A mix of deeply honoured, beyond excited and of course a little bit scared. This role and show means so much to so many around the world, including myself, and each one of my incredibly talented predecessors has handled that unique responsibility and privilege with the utmost care. I will endeavour my utmost to do the same.

Russell T Davies is almost as iconic as the Doctor himself and being able to work with him is a dream come true. His writing is dynamic, exciting, incredibly intelligent and fizzing with danger. An actor’s metaphorical playground. The entire team have been so welcoming and truly give their hearts to the show. And so as much as it’s daunting, I’m aware I’m joining a really supportive family. Unlike the Doctor, I may only have one heart but I am giving it all to this show.”

Davies is similarly thrilled to be working with Gatwa, praising the young actor’s audition and talent, releasing a statement that read:

“The future is here and it’s Ncuti! Sometimes talent walks through the door and it’s so bright and bold and brilliant, I just stand back in awe and thank my lucky stars. Ncuti dazzled us, seized hold of the Doctor and owned those TARDIS keys in seconds. It’s an honour to work with him, and a hoot, I can’t wait to get started. I’m sure you’re dying to know more, but we’re rationing ourselves for now, with the wonderful Jodie’s epic finale yet to come. But I promise you, 2023 will be spectacular!”

About Ncuti Gatwa

Born in Rwanda in 1992, the Gatwa family fled the country due to the civil war and genocide, arriving in Scotland in 1994. Ncuti trained at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland in Glasgow before moving to London, and landed his first television role in 2014 with the Dundee-based sitcom Bob Servant.

After performing several theatre productions in the years that followed, it was the 2018 Netflix comedy-drama series Sex Education that landed Gatwa on the map. In the role of Eric Effiong, a gay, British Nigerian teenager, he wowed audiences with his portrayal of a well-rounded character and was praised for his comedy talents and lack of cliché.

Gatwa’s portrayal of Eric has gained him a Scottish BAFTA award, as well as three additional BAFTA nominations. At the most recent ceremony, the BAFTA audience warmly cheered as Gatwa took to the stage to present an award, echoing the sentiment of the nation’s well-wishes for the young actor. He has previously worked with the BBC in the show Stonemouth, and recently appeared in The Last Letter from Your Lover, a 2021 film.

Ncuti Gatwa will be the first Black actor to play the Doctor, and will take over from Jodie Whittaker, who has been the first woman in the role. Whittaker, who has been piloting the TARDIS since 2017, will have her final episodes in the autumn of 2022.

More news will be announced on the Official Doctor Who Website as production nears later in the year, and we are excited to find out more about the new series with Gatwa as the Doctor, and what the future will hold.

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