Doctor Who has cast their latest iteration of the Time Lord and fans should be thrilled. Ncuti Gatwa will be stepping into the T.A.R.D.I.S. for the first time and he's sure to be a fantastic replacement for Jodie Whittaker. Audiences will know the talented actor best for his part in Sex Education, where he plays Eric Effiong.
The role is sure to influence his casting choice as The Doctor, but what traits of the famous character would translate perfectly to Doctor Who? These key characteristics, which Ncuti Gatwa brought to Eric, are sure to reappear as the newest time traveler begins to find his feet in that blue box.
The Charisma
It takes a lot of charisma to stand against the other hilarious characters of Sex Education. Yet it's clear that fans love Gatwa's Eric so much because he truly lights up a room. He can banter with the best of them and steals a scene, seemingly with genuine ease.
There's a presence to him that The Doctor genuinely needs to work as a character. Ultimately, when the Time Lord enters a room all eyes should be on him, as he heroically leads the way. It's a trait that Eric already boasts, as he just naturally draws attention with his vibrant personality.
Linguistic Changes
Ncuti Gatwa is a Rwandan-Scottish actor and his accent is formed from a collection of places. Gatwa allows for linguistic changes in his dialogue when he performs as Eric, with his speech adjusting for specific phrases. It's a trait that would be perfect for The Doctor.
The Doctor's accent has already traveled across the UK, with each actor bringing their own unique spin on the role. Considering the Time Lord has traveled for centuries across the galaxy it's no surprise that his voice can continue to change. Gatwa should definitely be allowed to continue to employ various linguistic styles and represent his own cultural background in the role.
Perfect Catchphrases
Speaking of dialogue, thanks to the fantastic writers on Sex Education, Eric has truly some of the best quotes of the show. They are hilarious, always work for the situation at hand, and are endlessly replayable. Eric as a character is brilliant for creating soundbites for fans of the show.
The Doctor has been known as a bit of a catchphrase machine himself, although that's faded in recent years. With Ncuti Gatwa's unique and powerful delivery of lines, as well as his experienced comedic timing, there are sure to be a few T-shirts made from his Doctor's upcoming quotes.
The Style And Clothing
Eric may well be one of Sex Education's best-dressed characters. Every outfit for Eric represents his mood and helps to convey the emotions of a scene. His wardrobe choices are colorful, fun, and represent everything about Eric as a character. His makeup choices always accompany an outfit to the level of a professional designer.
Gatwa simply has to bring some of those same style choices to The Doctor. The costume of the former Gallifreyan has shifted depending on the actor in the role. There are some genuinely iconic looks already established, but surely the latest regeneration will bring the best attire to the T.A.R.D.I.S.
Energy
Eric is just a bundle of energy, zapping into every scene. Whereas Otis is somewhat quieter and less of an extrovert, Eric more than makes up for it. Just physically, how Gatwa inhabits the character and moves throughout a scene, with constant kinetic momentum, is an acting choice that genuinely shifts a sequence.
The best iterations of the Doctor are the ones that are always high energy and make some of those similar acting choices. Running is a huge part of the job after all, but the Time Lord has to always keep the show fast-paced. Those characteristics can be taken from Eric and applied to this regeneration.
Emotional Range
On the surface, Eric may seem like a comedic character. He does get some of the best punchlines and he's usually pitted as one half of a humorous duo alongside Otis. However, Sex Education also gifts Eric with some of the most moving storylines in the show, based around his relationships with his friends, family, and boyfriends.
Ncuti Gatwa has delivered some of the most touching scenes in the series, demonstrating his emotional range and ability to perform material with real levity. The Doctor often has massive emotional speeches to perform and thanks to Eric's journey, that's another skill that Gatwa has in the bag.
Sexuality
Eric is a proud gay man. It's just a fact of the character, but his sexuality has become the focus of several storylines involving his more traditional family and his cultural heritage. While of course there are narratives surrounding his boyfriends, there are also those that allow for the exploration of what being gay is like internationally and for those who have only just come out.
The Doctor is pansexual, with their relationships spanning regenerations and universes. There's been a recent storyline involving The Doctor embarking on a potential romance with her female companion, so there's no reason the latest iteration couldn't feature a romance with a male character.
Friendship
Otis and Eric really are friendship goals. Both of their worlds are hugely defined by their relationship with the other. They have been through thick and thin, but ultimately they are more brothers than mere acquaintances at school. Gatwa has managed to portray one-half of that dynamic with such a beautiful performance.
The Doctor's friendships are so important to him. The companions that fill the T.A.R.D.I.S. are a huge reason why the Doctor continues to travel at all, taking humans across the universe and inspiring them to think bigger. Gatwa's ability to create chemistry with another actor thanks to his time as Eric should inform this aspect of the Time Lord.
Humor
One of the reasons that Eric is considered to often be the best character of Sex Education is because of how funny he is. He might be adventurous, charismatic, a great friend, and full of energy, but he is also just simply hilarious. It's once again that comedic timing that's so important.
The Doctor can be really funny given the right material. Delivering jokes isn't always easy for a performer and the likes of Peter Capaldi's iteration initially moved away from that kind of thing, in favor of an angrier Time Lord. Ncuti Gatwa would benefit from a script that highlights his unique delivery and comedic style.
Maturity
Eric is wise beyond his years. The character has been given a great sense of maturity. He respects his background, understands how to create meaningful relationships, knows how he truly identifies and can help his friends along the way. He dishes out so many nuggets of wisdom to Otis for instance.
There's a maturity to Eric that can be so useful for portraying the Time Lord. It's not something that can be taught. Anyone playing The Doctor has to try to encapsulate the youth of a new body with the almost infinite lives that the character has lived. Ncuti Gatwa is sure to do an admirable job, using some of that same maturity to display his own regeneration.