The Scottish actor Ncuti Gatwa, has been announced as the next Doctor Who.
Gatwa, whose family fled the Rwandan genocide when he was just two years old and settled in Scotland, is best known for starring in Netflix’s sitcom Sex Education. He will take over from Jodie Whittaker to become the 14th Time Lord on the popular sci-fi show.
The 29 year old will be the first Black actor to play a main incarnation of the Doctor, after Jo Martin debuted as the “Fugitive Doctor” in 2020.
He said: “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.
Award winning the writer and producer Russell T Davies, who will make a return to screens to celebrate the 60th Anniversary of Doctor Who in 2023 after departing in 2009, said Gatwa had impressed him in his audition:
“It was our last audition. It was our very last one…we thought we had someone, and then in he came and stole it…I’m properly, properly thrilled. It’s going to be a blazing future.”
Rather than modelling himself on any previous Doctor, Gatwa has said “I’m definitely going to do my own thing” and added that the prospect of working with Davies was “a dream come true”.
Gatwa will make his debut as the Time Lord in 2023.
