Entertainment
‘Sex Education’ Star Ncuti Gatwa Will Become ‘Doctor Who’ As The First Black Doctor
The 14th doctor so far.
Ncuti Gatwa will become the 14th Doctor on the popular sci-fi show “Doctor Who” and the first black actor to take on the leading role after Jodie Whittaker made history as the first permanent female Time Lord in 2017. The 29-Year-Old made this known while speaking with reporters at this year’s BAFTA TV Awards ceremony.
The “S*x Education” star attended the event alongside returning Doctor Who writer Russell T Davies.
As of last July, Whittaker [pictured below] had announced she would be leaving the role this autumn. And in a January 2020 episode – Future of the Judoon, Jo Martin had played the first black incarnation of the Time Lord as Ruth Clayton, but Ncuti has officially become the first black doctor to be cast as the series lead.
“I’ve known since February. It’s been tricky keeping this under wraps because I’ve got a very big mouth. We did it. It feels amazing, this role is an institution, and it’s so iconic and means so much to so many people, including myself,” Ncuti said in the interview.
He added: “It makes everyone feel seen. I’m very grateful to have the baton handed over, and I’m going to try and do my best.” Davis expressed the casting team had thought they had already chosen someone for the role of The Doctor when Ncuti came in and stole the job. He shared: “It was talent. He was the very last one, we thought we had someone, and then he came in and stole it. Genuinely loved S*x Education and loved his work, didn’t quite know what we were going to get. I am properly thrilled.”
Hours after the news became viral, both Ncuti and Davis have since shared photos from the Virgin Media British Academy Television Awards at the Royal Festival Hall.
Ncuti, in the snaps, displayed his sensational sense of style in a black suit with a plunging neckline and floor-length tassels, completed with a pair of sandals. Davis cut out a smart figure in a black suit and a pink tie with gold leaf patterning. At the 2022 BAFTA TV Awards, Ncuti was nominated for Male Performance in a Comedy Programme for his role as Eric in S*x education, but Jamie Demetriou won the category.
The Scottish actor, born in Rwanda, rose to fame as Eric Effiong in Netflix’s film S*x Education about socially awkward high school student Otis (Asa Butterfield) and his s*x therapist mom Jean (Gillian Anderson).
However, It’s A Sin and Queer As Folk writer Davis replaced Chris Chinball after leaving the show in 2019.
So far, fans have since appeared delighted by the news as many took to Twitter to congratulate the actor:
