The Whovian fanbase has been in a flurry with the surprise, but very welcome announcement of the Fourteenth Doctor in Doctor Who. Ncuti Gatwa, best known as Eric on Sex Education, is the newest regeneration of the hit sci-fi show, and fans can't get over just what Gatwa's era as the Doctor is going to look and feel like.
Reddit has exploded with the news of Gatwa being the new Doctor, and a lot of hopes and dreams have been attached to the actor and Russel T. Davies. Fans were quite disappointed by how great Doctors like Peter Capaldi and Jodie Whittaker suffered due to poor writing, but are feeling hopeful with the return of a veteran writer and Gatwa's fresh casting. Here are their predictions.
The Ginger Joke
On a very light note, fans really want the "still not ginger" running joke to play out when Whittaker regenerates into Gatwa and looks down to see their new features. Whovians love this gag and it would be a great way to start his era off.
Reddit's hadawayandshite says "This is the scene I’ve been asking for since before they announced Matt Smith, casting a black actor —-he regenerates and looks down at his hands and just says ‘I’m guessing I’m still not ginger’" If Ncuti gets this line, he could most possible become an incredibly popular Doctor.
He Will Be Like Matt Smith
One of the reasons why Ncuti Gatwa will make for a great Time Lord/ Timeless Child is his emotional range and energy. He displays comedic timing as perfectly as raw and difficult moments, which is quite reminiscent of Matt Smith and his ability to be child-like and tender, as well as intimidating when needed.
The Doctor has always been an effervescent character, and Ooozy69 says "I get Matt Smith (ish) energy from this bloke I’m sure he’ll play it well." Gatwa is most definitely a bubbly and exciting actor.
Race Could Be A Big Focus
Doctor Who will, without a doubt, become one of Ncuti Gatwa's best TV roles, especially since he will be the first Black Doctor, and this will bring race to the forefront, unlike other runs of the show where the racism seemed to be happening somewhere else.
For the first time, the Doctor may experience the hurdles of race and color first-hand, fans are predicting. The Doctor could walk in and save the day very easily earlier, which may not be the case anymore. AhhBisto opines "I hope they tackle how his skin colour might impact his travels to the past. They don't have to make a big deal of it but they can't ignore it IMO."
His Youth Will Bring In More Fans
While older and middle-aged Doctors were a great change from the younger David Tennant and exceptionally young Matt Smith, fans feel like it's time to revert back to a younger Time Lord to hold audience's attentions.
The fact that Ncuti is a young, charismatic actor is perfect, but what helps even more is that he's from a wildly popular Netflix show. According to MedievalHoneyCake, this "Feels like the right move to have a younger Doctor again, and it doesn't hurt that he's coming from a show with a huge following, Doctor Who desperately needs some of that again."
The Timeless Child Will Be Retconned
Chris Chibnall earned a bad reputation for himself over the past few seasons, and the Timeless Child story was his most hated idea. To completely destroy Gallifreyan history and make the Doctor's origins and species totally altered was a bad move, and Redditors predict that the entire plotline will be retconned for Gatwa's era, and some Russell T. Davies throwbacks could make an appearance.
StarBlindMark89 asserts "My take is that both that and the timeless child arc will just be ignored from now on, and it's going to be like it never happened, kinda like the half human plot point from the movie." Almost everyone is hoping they are right.
He Could Be A Neat Freak With An Iconic Quote
Eric's quote "Wash your hands, you detty pig" from Sex Education had become so popular that it actually became a meme, and while it may seem like a far-off dream, fans really want a connection made between Ncuti's Doctor and the dialogue, even if it only means the Doctor becomes a bit too concerned with hygiene.
Redditor futurebane predicts "Can already see what’s going to happen….. New Doctor sees an alien not washing their hands….. New Doctor “Wash your hands, you detty pig”." One can dream.
He Will Be Animated And Physical
Whovians are very pleased with this choice of casting, because Ncuti Gatwa seems like a true match made for the Doctor's very animated character. She has always been very energetic and full of delight, and a character that uses their mind, as well as every part of their body.
Happy_book_bee of Reddit thinks that this era will continue that trend, saying "He’s got the charisma and the energy for it! The doctor frequently has some movement and this guy uses his whole body to act. I can’t wait."
He Is Expected To Be Well-Dressed
As witnessed in his Instagram posts, Gatwa has a brilliant sense of style, and many of his sweeping outfits could very well be fit for the Doctor. From vibrant shirts, to pop-colored suits and floor-sweeping coats, fans are expecting a really great outfit for him as the Doctor.
Vagueconfusion of Reddit recollects "One article features him in a truly fantastic orange suit and really reminded me of how much I've missed a well dressed Doctor because we sure haven't had one for a while."