The Fourteenth Doctor Has Been Cast

“The future is here…”

It’s official. The team at Doctor Who have announced that actor Ncuti Gatwa has been cast as the fourteenth incarnation of The Doctor. The news broke from Doctor Who‘s official Twitter account, which held a link to an article on www.doctorwho.tv that featured words from both Gatwa and returning show runner, Russell T Davies.

Gatwa rose to fame with his breakthrough role in Netflix’s Sex Education, playing scene-stealer Eric Effiong. The part has earned him critical acclaim, including Best Actor Award at the Scottish BAFTA’s in 2020 plus many nominations including Best Male Performance in a comedy at this year’s BAFTA’s. Gatwa has also recently been cast in the upcoming Barbie movie, which stars Margot Robbie in the title role.

Gatwa had this to say of his casting as the newest take on the Time Lord:

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.

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Davies had this to add regarding the actor who will lead his second tenure on the hit show:

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 will step into the TARDIS as the replacement for current Doctor, Jodie Whittaker. Whittaker will bow out later this year in a feature length special as part of the BBC’s centenary celebrations. It is assumed that this will feature Gatwa’s first appearance in the role as Whittaker’s Doctor regenerates into his. The actress took on the role herself back in 2017, taking over from Twelfth Doctor Peter Capaldi.

Rumours have been rife for months on end for who will take over as Doctor number fourteen, with the biggest names in the running being It’s a Sin’s Lydia West and, believe it or not, previous Doctor David Tennant.

Doctor Who returns to screens for Jodie Whittaker’s last/Ncuti Gatwa’s first(?) appearance later this year.