The BBC has announced Ncuti Gatwa as the Fourteenth Doctor in Doctor Who. The world's longest-running science-fiction TV series, regeneration is the secret to Doctor Who's success. It means the show need never end - whenever one star chooses to leave, the Doctor simply regenerates into a new form, with a new actor taking over and the series effectively relaunching itself.
One of the most significant relaunches in the show's recent history is about to take place, with Thirteenth Doctor Jodie Whittaker departing alongside current showrunner Chris Chibnall. Russell T. Davies, the mastermind behind the 2005 revival, is returning as showrunner, with production expected to begin later this year. There's been intense speculation about the identity of the Fourteenth Doctor and the BBC has been careful to time the announcement so it doesn't detract from Whittaker's final episodes. Some had hoped the BBC would manage to keep it a secret until the Doctor Who Centenary Special airs in October, but in truth that was always going to be impossible - as soon as production began the new Doctor's identity would leak.
Now, the BBC has officially announced the Fourteenth Doctor will be played by the Bafta award-winning actor Ncuti Gatwa (Sex Education, The Last Letter From Your Lover, Barbie). An official press release included a statement from Gatwa:
"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. 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. An actor’s metaphorical playground. The entire team have been so welcoming and truly give their hearts to the show. And so as much as it’s daunting, I’m aware I’m joining a really supportive family. Unlike the Doctor, I may only have one heart but I am giving it all to this show.
According to Davies, Gatwa was cast based on the strength of his audition. "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," he observed. "Ncuti dazzled us, seized hold of the Doctor and owned those TARDIS keys in seconds." Gatwa makes Doctor Who history as the first Doctor to be born outside the U.K. - his parents moved from Rwanda as refugees when he was just a toddler, and he grew up in Scotland. He's best known for playing the part of Eric in Sex Education, a role for which he received Best Actor in the 2020 Scottish BAFTA Awards and Performance of the Year at the 2020 Rose d'Or Awards. It's quite a coup for Doctor Who to draw in such recognizable talent once again.
The BBC's announcement brings an end to over a year's worth of speculation, after Whittaker's departure from Doctor Who was rumored in early 2021. With the casting decision now out in the open, the BBC intends to enter a period of radio silence as they focus attention on the upcoming Doctor Who Centenary Special in October. That will mark the end of Whittaker's tenure, with a regeneration scene that will presumably mark Gatwa's debut in Doctor Who.
Source: BBC