Doctor who is an institution having started when TV was still in black and white (that’s right kids!) but after decades, things have started to get more diverse and we are LIVING for this casting! The BBC has announced that actor Ncuti Gatwa, best known for Netflix smash Sex Education, will be taking over from Jodie Whittaker as the new Doctor Who.
Doctor Who's Who
Ncuti will be the first Black actor to take on the role full-time. In 2020, Jo Martin made a guest appearance as a previously unknown version of the Doctor hiding on Earth disguised as a human tour guide.
All smiles for one of the biggest jobs in telly.
The actor takes over from Jodie Whittaker, the 13th Doctor and the first woman to play the infamous Time Lord full-time.
Born in Rwanda, the 29-year-old Scottish actor, who played openly gay teen and uber-camp Eric Effiong in Netflix’s hugely popular Sex Education, said he was ecstatic about his new adventure:
“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.”
Suits you sir - Gatwa has the acting credentials
He went on: “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.”
Russel's back
Russel T, Davies (the man behind OG Queer as Folk UK and Its A Sin) is returning to Doctor Who as show runner after he was responsible for he successful reboot of beloved sci-fi classic series. He says of Gatwa’s casting: “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.”
Doctor Who just got a whole lot more queer and we are HERE FOR IT!