It was announced today by the official Doctor Who social media page that Ncuti Gatwa (Sex Education) would be replacing Jodie Whittaker (Attack the Block) as the next Doctor Who, according to Deadline. He will serve as the 14th Doctor of the series, and the first Black actor to take on the role.
Most well-known for his role in Netflix’s Sex Education as Eric Effiong, Gatwa has won Best Actor Award at the 2020 Scottish BAFTAs, and was nominated for a BAFTA for best male performance in a comedy series this year. Speaking out about his upcoming iconic role, Gatwa said, “There aren’t quite the words to describe what 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 endeavor my upmost to do the same.”
BBC’s Doctor Who followed an extraterrestrial Time Lord who travels in the TARDIS (Time and Relative Dimensions in Space) through time and space to fight injustice throughout the universe. Previous Doctors included Whittaker, David Tennant (Good Omens), Matt Smith (House of the Dragon), Peter Capaldi (The Thick of It) and Christopher Eccleston (Thor: The Dark World), among others. Whittaker became the first female Doctor in 2017.
“The entire team have been so welcoming and truly give their hearts to the show,” Gatwa continued, via Deadline. “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.”