Doctor Who – new Doctor revealed as Ncuti Gatwa

Picture: BBC

The BBC has announced Ncuti Gatwa is the new Doctor set to take charge of the TARDIS in the next series of Doctor Who, replacing Jodie Whittaker in the long-running drama’s starring role.

Star of stage and screen Ncuti is best known for his critically acclaimed performance in Sex Education as the iconic Eric Effiong, for which he was awarded Best Actor Award at the Scottish BAFTAs in 2020 as well as numerous nominations, including Best Male Performance in a comedy programme at this year’s BAFTAs.

Speaking of his new role, Ncuti says: “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 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.”

Russell T Davies, Showrunner, adds: “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!”

Charlotte Moore, Chief Content Officer, says: “Ncuti has an incredible dynamism, he’s a striking and fearless young actor whose talent and energy will set the world alight and take Doctor Who on extraordinary adventures under Russell T Davies’ new era.”

Further details will be announced in due course.

Doctor Who now a Co-Production

The next series of Doctor Who is being made by production company Bad Wolf, which was acquired by Sony Pictures last year, in partnership with the BBC Studios.

The acquisition, and a major £50 million investment announcement, followed the announcement of the partnership between Bad Wolf and the BBC to work together on the future of Doctor Who, the Radio Times noting that The Times had reported that the BBC could lose out on up to £40 million of commercial revenue per every 10 episodes produced as a result of this deal, with one source remarking it’s “extraordinary” that the BBC have “rolled over”.

BBC Studios countered that it will continue to commercially run Doctor Who and its associated properties, with the hope being that this collaboration with Bad Wolf will allow the franchise to be further established as a global brand.

The Radio Times noted that because the BBC continues to see its budget squeezed, the partnership with Bad Wolf has been seen as a necessary move to keep Doctor Who in-step with a competitive genre television landscape.

A spokesperson from BBC Studios said that “We’re incredibly excited about the future of Doctor Who. BBC Studios is ultimately responsible for delivering the show and this production partnership is about long-term investment that will radically build on the already huge success of the show and franchise worldwide.”

Sources: BBC | Radio Times



Categories: Doctor Who, downthetubes News, Other Worlds, Television

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2 replies

  1. Wow what a great choice, this is gonna be so exciting!

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