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United States Doctor Who's new Time Lord is Sex Education star Ncuti Gatwa as Jodie Whittaker bows out
The BBC have announced Ncuti Gatwa will be the new Doctor Who taking over from Jodie Whittaker.
The Rwandan-Scottish actor - who found fame playing Eric Effiong in Netflix's Sex Education - will become the 14th Time Lord after Whittaker announced she will be leaving the iconic role.
“There aren’t quite the words to describe how I’m feeling," the 29-year-old actor said in a statement.
"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.”
Whittaker took over the Tardis in 2017 as the first female Doctor.
Queer As Folk and It’s A Sin writer Russell T Davies is returning as the programme’s showrunner after departing the show in 2009.
Davies, who was responsible for Doctor Who’s revival in 2005 with Christopher Eccleston in the main role, will be back to celebrate the show’s 60th anniversary in 2023, the BBC previously said.
He said: “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!”
The announcement was teased by Davies and Gatwa on Instagram, with a post featuring two heart emojis, a plus symbol and a blue square.
It’s A Sin star Olly Alexander, who was among the names touted to be in the running to play the Doctor, tweeted: “NCUTIIIIIIII!!!! Amazing !!”.
Georgia Tennant, wife of former Doctor Who star David Tennant and daughter of Peter Davison, who also played the Doctor, reacted to the news tweeting: “Hello dad”.
And die hard Doctor Who fans have already rushed to Twitter to share their views on the 14th Doctor.
"That’s well f****n exciting that," one fan tweeted.
"Never heard of him (as it's been with most actors who've played The Doctor), but looking forward to seeing what he brings to the role," another added.
While a third wrote: "This is fantastic news!"
The trailer for Whittaker's farewell from Doctor Who was released last month, with some exciting inclusions as fans start the count down to seeing a new face in the role.
Some fans have criticised the show's direction in recent years and many were left disappointed as Hugh Grant confirmed he would not be taking over the role, despite alleged talks.
BBC chief content officer Charlotte Moore said: “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.”
The BBC said further details would be announced in due course.
