With Jodie Whittaker’s time as the Thirteenth Doctor drawing to a close this year, the BBC has announced that BAFTA-nominated Sex Education star Ncuti Gatwa will take over the reigns as the new Fourteenth Doctor in Doctor Who.
Rwandan-born Gatwa becomes the first person of color to star in the title role of the long-running sci-fi, and the actor spoke about his excitement over joining the series and the opportunity to work with returning showrunner Russell T. Davies.
“There aren’t quite the words to describe how I’m feeling,” said Gatwa. “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,” Gatwa continues. “His writing is dynamic, exciting, incredibly intelligent and fizzing with danger. An actor’s metaphorical playground. The entire team has 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.”
“The future is here and it’s Ncuti!” added Davies. “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!”
Jodie Whittaker is set to bow out of Doctor Who with a special this autumn, which will presumably include our first glimpse of the new Doctor during the closing moments ahead of a brand new series in 2023.
