Jodi Whittaker made history as the first female regeneration of Doctor Who. Now get ready for another barrier to be shattered as the Rwandan-born Ncuti (pronounced Shoo-tee) Gatwa will become the first black Doctor to headline the seminal British sci-fi series. (He’s not technically the first black Doctor, but will be the first to headline.)
The announcement came via the Doctor Who Twitter account:
The future is here! Ncuti Gatwa is the Doctor. ❤️❤️➕🟦 #DoctorWho pic.twitter.com/eIidVFAx7u
— BBC (@BBC) May 8, 2022
This news came just as Gatwa was heading to the BAFTA Awards as a presenter and nominee for Best Male Performance in a Comedy Programme. (He didn’t win.) It was on the red carpet that the actor first spoke about landing the role:
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Gatwa expressed relief about finally being able to talk about his casting as he’d “known about it a really long time.” He also shared that prior to being asked to audition, he had informed his agent that playing Doctor Who was a “dream role.” He ended his interview by declaring “Dream big and manifest!”
Earlier, he issued a statement that read:
“There aren’t quite the words to describe how I’m feeling. A mix of deeply honored, 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… Unlike the Doctor, I may only have one heart, but I am giving it all to this show.”
Doctor Who showrunner, Russell T. Davies added:
“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… 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 Gatwa is best known for playing Eric Effiong, the best friend of the main character Otis Millburn (Asa Butterfield), on Netflix’s Sex Education. There are three seasons so far with a fourth on its way. (I assume Gatwa’s casting on Doctor Who indicates that this will be its last.) Gatwa won the BAFTA Scottland Award for Best Actor In Television. He was also nominated three years in a row for the British BAFTA Television Awards (equal to the Emmys in the U.S.) for Best Male Comedy Performance.
He was a toddler when he and his parents escaped from Rwanda in 1994 to escape the genocide. They settled in Scotland and Gatwa says he has a Scottish accent that only comes out when he is in Scotland. Normally, he and his character Eric speak in traditional British accents. His character, Eric, is gay and sometimes dresses in drag, but Gatwa has not publically discussed his orientation.
He also has a role in the upcoming Barbie movie, to be directed by Greta Gerwig. Margot Robbie stars as Barbie, while Ryan Gosling will portray Ken. America Ferrera, Simu Liu, and Issa Rae also star. Ironically, Barbie also features Jamie Demetriou, who Gatwa lost to on Sunday’s BAFTA Awards.
What do you think about this casting?
