Doctor Who has officially cast Sex Education’s Ncuti Gatwa as the next Doctor to “take charge of the TARDIS.”
Announced by The BBC, Gatwa won the Best Actor Award at the Scottish BAFTA’s in 2020 for his performance as Eric Effiong in Sex Education and he is also set to star in the upcoming Barbie film alongside Margot Robbie.
Ncuti shared a few words on taking on the legendary role, saying he is “deeply honoured, beyond excited, and of course a little bit scared.”
“There aren’t quite the words to describe how I’m feeling,” Ncuti said. “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 upmost 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.”
Speaking of Doctor Who showrunner Russel T Davies, he also wrote a few words about Ncuti and how he knew the actor was something special from the moment he walked through the door.
“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,” Davies wrote. “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!”
Ncuti is set to replace Jodie Whittaker and will be the Fourteenth Doctor in the series’ historic run. Whittaker will star in one final episode later this year before she passes the torch to Gatwa.
Whittaker starred as the Doctor for three seasons, which has become the standard for Doctor Who actors, including Matt Smith, Peter Capaldi, and David Tennant.
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Adam Bankhurst is a news writer for IGN. You can follow him on Twitter @AdamBankhurst and on Twitch.
