Doctor Who showrunner Russell T. Davies discusses what went into his decision to cast Ncuti Gatwa as the Doctor in the next season. Doctor Who is an incredibly long-running series following a Time Lord known as The Doctor who can regenerate form after sustaining serious damage and travels through time and space with a variety of different companions. The show originally ran from 1963 through 1989. The reboot series, which began airing in 2005, is technically in continuity with the original series and has so far seen five different Doctors, played by Christopher Eccleston, David Tennant, Matt Smith, Peter Capaldi, and most recently Jodie Whittaker.
For some time it has been known that Whittaker is stepping down from the role after her upcoming final special, at which time current showrunner Chris Chibnall will also step down and be replaced by the reboot series' original showrunner Russell T. Davies for 2023's season 14. The question on everyone's lips for the past few months has been who will replace Whittaker as The Doctor. Speculation has ranged from people who have previously worked with Davies like It's a Sin's Lydia West and a Tennant return, to a character who has already appeared on the show but currently occupies an unknown timeline: Jo Martin's Fugitive Doctor.
This morning, it was officially announced that the role would be filled by Gatwa, who is best known for his role opposite Asa Butterfield in Sex Education. On the official Doctor Who website, Davies shared an effusive quote about working with the 29-year-old actor. The showrunner says that "the future is here" and that Gatwa took the audition room by storm and "owned those TARDIS keys in seconds." Read the full quote below:
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. 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!
Gatwa may only have a few credits under his belt, but the actor is anything but untested. He got an early role performing in Shakespeare's Globe as Demetrius in A Midsummer Night's Dream before eventually earning his spot in Sex Education, in which he has been a main cast member for all three seasons. He will also be appearing in Greta Gerwig's upcoming Barbie film with Margot Robbie, so he has certainly cut his teeth.
Now that the Doctor has finally been cast, the stage has been set for Whittaker to make her final bow later this year. Beyond this casting, not much is known about the shape that Doctor Who season 14 will be taking. However, with such a dynamic presence in front of the camera, it is certain to be an exciting adventure no matter what.
Source: Doctor Who