After a long wait, the BBC recently announced that it has found its next Doctor Who in ‘Sex Education’ star Ncuti Gatwa, who is of Rwandan descent. The news was shared on social media, just prior to the filming of the BAFTA awards. “The future is here! Ncuti Gatwa is the Doctor,” wrote the BBC.
Gatwa plays a starring role in Netflix’s comedy-drama ‘Sex Education’ as Eric Effiong, the best friend of Otis, played by Asa Butterfield. While Gatwa will not be the first Black Time Lord — an honor that went to actor Jo Martin in 2020 — he will be the first Black Doctor to appear as the lead in the show.
While Gatwa will not be the first Black Time Lord – an honor that went to actor Jo Martin in 2020 – he will be the first Black Doctor to appear as the lead in the show.
The Netflix star will be taking over from actor Jodie Whittaker, who will appear for the last time as the Thirteenth Doctor in an upcoming Doctor Who special. The release date has not yet been announced. Whittaker has played the titular character since 2017 and made headlines by playing the long-running franchise’s first female Doctor.
Whittaker and Doctor Who showrunner Chris Chibnall are both set to depart from the show, following the third and final 2022 special. The pair announced their exit last year, with Chibnall explaining, “Jodie and I made a ‘three series and out’ pact with each other at the start of this once-in-a-lifetime blast.” He added, “So now our shift is done, and we’re handing back the TARDIS keys.” The BBC announced soon after former Doctor Who showrunner Russell T. Davies will return to the show after over a decade away.
It is believed several iterations of the Doctor may appear in the upcoming special, including the Tenth Doctor, played by actor David Tennant. However, the actor himself has neither confirmed nor denied the rumors, stating, “I’ve learned through bitter experience that there’s not any point in even answering [questions about whether I’ll play the Doctor again] because whatever I say is spun by whoever wants to hear it… So there’s no point in me denying it, there’s no point in me confirming it, there’s no point in me fudging it. Whatever I say will become whatever the internet wants it to be.”
The final Doctor Who special does not yet have an announced title or release date.
