The BBC announced on Sunday that Ncuti Gatwa will be the first Black actor to play the lead role in the British science fiction series “Doctor Who,” taking over from Jodie Whittaker as the Time Lord’s 14th actor next year.
Image Credit: npr.org
Gatwa, a Scottish actor born in Rwanda, is most known for his role in Netflix’s series Sex Education.
The 29-year-old Scot” posted two hearts and a blue square on his Instagram account, depicting the Doctor’s Tardis before the news was confirmed by the channel.
Gatwa said the role of the Doctor “means a lot to so many people, including myself,” on the red carpet of the Bafta TV Awards, where he was nominated for the best male performance in a comedy show for his work on “Sex Education.”
In “Sex Education,” a hit British teen comedy-drama series on Netflix, Mr. Gatwa plays Eric Effiong, a gay guy exploring his sexuality and identity in a religious Nigerian family.
Gatwa will be the first Black actor to lead the iconic long-running British sci-fi show about a time-traveling adventurer.
He replaces Jodie Whittaker, the show’s first female Doctor who announced her withdrawal in July after three seasons.
Ncuti Gatwa is an excellent choice for the part. Sex Education on Netflix has made him extremely popular among viewers in their late teens and early twenties.
On Sunday, “Doctor Who” fans embraced the news on Twitter, with many expressing their delight at seeing a Doctor who likes them.
Mr. Gatwa underlined the importance of “Doctor Who” to fans worldwide in a statement posted by the BBC, saying, “I may only have one heart, but I’m giving it all to this show.”
Article published by HOLR Magazine