![Doctor Who: Sex Education star Ncuti Gatwa announced as new Time Lord](https://cactv.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/doctor-who-sex-education-star-ncuti-gatwa-announced-as-new-time-lord-634x560.jpg)
Doctor Who: Sex Education star Ncuti Gatwa announced as new Time Lord
Ncuti Gatwa will take over from Jodie Whittaker as the Time Lord in Doctor Who, the BBC has announced.
The 29-year-old will become the 14th Doctor on the popular BBC show, after Whittaker announced last July she will be leaving the role.
Scottish actor Gatwa, who was born in Rwanda, starred as Eric Effiong in Netflix’s hugely popular Sex Education about socially awkward high school student Otis (Asa Butterfield) and his sex therapist mother Jean (Gillian Anderson).
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New guard: Ncuti Gatwa will take over from Jodie Whittaker as the Time Lord in Doctor Who, the BBC has announced
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, will be back to celebrate the show’s 60th anniversary in 2023, the BBC previously said.
The announcement was teased by Davies and Gatwa on Instagram, with a post featuring two heart emojis, a plus symbol and a blue square.
![History maker: The 29-year-old will become the 14th Doctor on the popular BBC show, after Whittaker announced last July she will be leaving the role after five years - she made history as the show's first ever female doctor](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/05/08/12/57549631-10794467-image-a-30_1652010653716.jpg)
History maker: The 29-year-old will become the 14th Doctor on the popular BBC show, after Whittaker announced last July she will be leaving the role after five years – she made history as the show’s first ever female doctor
Speaking about his new role, Gatwa said he was ‘deeply honoured’ and ‘beyond excited’, but admitted that he was also a ‘little bit scared’ to join the franchise.
He told the BBC: ‘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.’
Meanwhile, Davies said that Gatwa ‘dazzled’ in his audition, adding: ‘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.’
![Debut: The official Doctor Who Twitter account broke the news on Sunday](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/05/08/12/57549523-10794467-image-a-27_1652010154324.jpg)
Debut: The official Doctor Who Twitter account broke the news on Sunday
And fans appeared over-the-moon at the exciting news, as many took to Twitter to congratulate the actor and praise him as a perfect fit to be the Time Lord.
One wrote: ‘Fantastic news, congratulations to Ncuti Gatwa, can’t wait to see your doctor x’
Another penned: ‘LOVE the idea of Ncuti Gatwa as Doctor Who!’
A third tweeted: ‘Ncuti Gatwa as the Doctor is such a compelling choice. Very much looking forward to seeing what he does with the role. This is exciting!’
And a fourth quipped: ‘SCREAMING, CRYING, CHEERING!!! I haven’t felt this excited since I found out in the middle of a busy EdFringe that Peter Capaldi was going to be the Doctor! What a casting.’
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![Eager: Fans appeared thrilled by the exciting news, as many took to Twitter to congratulate the actor and praise him as a perfect fit to be the Time Lord](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/05/08/13/57550003-10794467-image-a-26_1652012117639.jpg)
Eager: Fans appeared thrilled by the exciting news, as many took to Twitter to congratulate the actor and praise him as a perfect fit to be the Time Lord
While a fifth added: ‘Very much looking forward to Ncuti Gatwa’s Doctor. Welcome.’
And a sixth commented: ‘Ncuti Gatwa is a brilliant actor, he was amazing in Sex Education (a show I highly recommend) and I’m sure he’ll be a brilliant Doctor, especially with Russell T Davies returning as showrunner.’
Ncuti’s new role will mark the show’s second portrayal of a black doctor, following Jo Martin’s starring role in January 2020 episode, Future of the Judoon, as Ruth Clayton.
The episode saw Jodi meet a previously-unknown past version of the character, in the form of actress Jo.
This marked two major milestones for the series: the second time a female has played the time travelling extraterrestrial and the first time the character has been black.
Some fans weren’t sure whether or not Martin’s appearance meant what it implied – but show boss Chris Chibnall confirmed that this wasn’t ‘a trick’.
!['The future is here': The announcement was teased by Davies and Gatwa on Instagram, with a post featuring two heart emojis, a plus symbol and a blue square](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/05/08/12/57549599-10794467-image-a-35_1652010782027.jpg)
‘The future is here’: The announcement was teased by Davies and Gatwa on Instagram, with a post featuring two heart emojis, a plus symbol and a blue square
![Success story: Scottish actor Gatwa, who was born in Rwanda, starred as Eric Effiong in Netflix 's hugely popular Sex Education about socially awkward high school student Otis (Asa Butterfield - pictured together)](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/05/08/12/57549661-10794467-image-m-33_1652010734664.jpg)
Success story: Scottish actor Gatwa, who was born in Rwanda, starred as Eric Effiong in Netflix ‘s hugely popular Sex Education about socially awkward high school student Otis (Asa Butterfield – pictured together)
He told The Mirror: ‘The important thing to say is – she is definitively The Doctor. There’s not a sort of parallel universe going on, there’s no tricks. Jo Martin is The Doctor.’
Chibnall noted that the Top Boy star was credited in the same way John Hurt was credited when he appeared as another previously-unseen incarnation, who cropped up during the 50th anniversary special The Day Of The Doctor in 2013.
‘That’s why we gave her the credit at the end which all new Doctors have the first time you see them. John Hurt got that credit,’ Chibnall explained.
The character was introduced initially as a tour guide called Ruth Clayton, who pressed an In Case Of Emergency button as the Judoon invaded her hometown.
!['Definitively the Doctor': Ncuti's new role will mark the show's second portrayal of a black doctor, following Jo Martin's starring role in January 2020 episode, Future of the Judoon, as Ruth Clayton](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/05/08/12/23955550-10794467-_Definitively_the_Doctor_Doctor_Who_has_been_portrayed_as_a_blac-a-28_1652010566332.jpg)
‘Definitively the Doctor’: Ncuti’s new role will mark the show’s second portrayal of a black doctor, following Jo Martin’s starring role in January 2020 episode, Future of the Judoon, as Ruth Clayton
![Iconic: The episode saw Jodi meet a previously-unknown past version of the character, in the form of actress Jo](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/05/08/12/23956550-10794467-To_be_confirmed_It_s_unclear_where_Martin_fits_in_the_mythology_-a-29_1652010573479.jpg)
Iconic: The episode saw Jodi meet a previously-unknown past version of the character, in the form of actress Jo
It’s unclear where she fits in the mythology of previous Doctors – with many noting she did not recognise Whittaker’s Thirteenth Doctor’s Sonic Screwdriver, suggesting she came between Patrick Troughton’s Second Doctor and Jon Pertwee’s Third.
‘There will be answers to some of these mysteries this series. But as ever with Doctor Who, answers often reveal new questions. It’s all very deliberate,’ Chibnall has assured.
He also revealed Martin wasn’t aware she was auditioning to play The Doctor when she met the producers to read for them.
Last month Doctor Who fans descended into a frenzy following Sunday’s Easter Special, as the time traveller confessed her love for her female companion Yasmin.
In emotional scenes after defeating the villainous Sea Devils, the heroine admitted that ‘if it was going to be anyone, it’d be her,’ but noted that she could never act on her feelings because of her immortality.
Following hints that the pair would finally address their growing feelings, the touching scene sent Who fans into a frenzy, with one even admitting they were ‘absolutely sobbing’ after watching the scene.
![At last! Last month Doctor Who fans descended into a frenzy following the Easter Special, as the time traveller confessed her love for her female companion Yasmin](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/04/18/16/56750633-10728843-image-m-67_1650296594912.jpg)
At last! Last month Doctor Who fans descended into a frenzy following the Easter Special, as the time traveller confessed her love for her female companion Yasmin
During the episode, which saw The Doctor (Jodie Whittaker) and her companions Yaz (Mandip Gill) and Dan (John Bishop) transported to 19th Century China, the trio were tasked with battling the iconic Sea Devil villains.
In a standout moment, The Doctor transported the TARDIS to the bottom of the ocean leaving both herself and Yaz in awe of the stunning underwater views.
As the Time Lord quipped: ‘Not a bad date, am I?’ Yaz could be seen gazing at her in the emotionally-charged moment.
![Love is in the air! In emotional scenes after defeating the villainous Sea Devils, the heroine admitted that 'if it was going to be anyone, it'd be her'](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/04/18/16/56750635-10728843-image-a-68_1650296625436.jpg)
Love is in the air! In emotional scenes after defeating the villainous Sea Devils, the heroine admitted that ‘if it was going to be anyone, it’d be her’
While Yaz later came dangerously close to confessing her feelings, it was The Doctor who made the move first, telling her companion: ‘Dates are not something I really do. I mean I used to. Have done. And if I was going to, believe me: it would be with you.
‘I think you’re one of the greatest people that I’ve ever known… If it was going to be anyone, it’d be you. But I can’t.’
Questioned by Yaz, she added: ‘There’s no point. Time always runs out,’ alluding to her immortal state, famously noted by The Tenth Doctor (David Tennant) in response to his growing feelings for companion Rose Tyler (Billie Piper).
![Love is in the air! In a standout moment, The Doctor transported the TARDIS to the bottom of the ocean, before she quipped: 'Not a bad date am I?'](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/04/18/16/56750519-10728843-image-m-70_1650296695587.jpg)
Love is in the air! In a standout moment, The Doctor transported the TARDIS to the bottom of the ocean, before she quipped: ‘Not a bad date am I?’
![So much romance! Yaz could be seen gazing at her in the emotionally charged moment](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/04/18/16/56750517-10728843-So_much_romance_Yaz_could_be_seen_gazing_at_her_in_the_emotional-m-98_1650296932483.jpg)
So much romance! Yaz could be seen gazing at her in the emotionally charged moment
In the episode’s final scene, the pair once again addressed their growing feelings, with The Doctor telling Yaz: ‘I can’t fix myself to anything, anywhere, or anyone. I’ve never been able to. That’s what my life is.
‘Not because I don’t want to, because I might. But if I do fix myself to somebody, I know sooner or later it’ll hurt… Can we just live in the present of what we have, while we still have it?’
Making a wish on a skipping stone, she added: ‘I wish this could go on forever.’
![It can't happen: While Yaz later came dangerously close to confessing her feelings, it was The Doctor who made the move first](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/04/18/16/56750515-10728843-It_can_t_happen_While_Yaz_later_came_dangerously_close_to_confes-m-75_1650296794957.jpg)
It can’t happen: While Yaz later came dangerously close to confessing her feelings, it was The Doctor who made the move first
![Tragic: While she noted that Yaz was 'one of the greatest people she had never known,' they could never act on their feelings due to her immortal state](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/04/18/16/56750521-10728843-Tragic_While_she_noted_that_Yaz_was_one_of_the_greatest_people_s-m-74_1650296787538.jpg)
Tragic: While she noted that Yaz was ‘one of the greatest people she had never known,’ they could never act on their feelings due to her immortal state
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The vindication that Yaz’s feelings for The Doctor were reciprocated sent die-hard fans into a frenzy, with many flooding Twitter with their reaction.
One wrote: ‘that thasmin beach scene is actually one of my favourite scenes in chibnalls whole era,’ while another added: ‘nah, last night’s ep actually happened? thasmin is canon? thirteen reciprocates? what timeline do we live in?’
‘IF IT WAS GOING TO BE ANYONE ITD BE YOU. EXCUSE ME WHILE I DIE,’ one hysterical fan tweeted.
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![It's happening! The vindication that Yaz's feelings for The Doctor were reciprocated sent die-hard fans into a frenzy, with many flooding Twitter with their reaction](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/04/18/16/56749959-10728843-image-a-86_1650296854249.jpg)
It’s happening! The vindication that Yaz’s feelings for The Doctor were reciprocated sent die-hard fans into a frenzy, with many flooding Twitter with their reaction
A fan tweeted: ’13 said if she’d date anyone it’d be Yaz…. she just told Yaz she loves her too OH MY GOD.’
‘Absolutely sobbing omg. Love them #Doctorwho #Thasmin,’ a hysterical fan added.
Fans have been calling for Doctor Who to address the time traveller’s growing feelings for Yaz, marking her first same-sex relationship with a companion.
![Coming soon: Following the episode, Doctor Who teased the return of two former companions in the spellbinding trailer for its centenary special (pictured in-character)](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/04/18/01/56727359-10727227-image-m-253_1650242425913.jpg)
Coming soon: Following the episode, Doctor Who teased the return of two former companions in the spellbinding trailer for its centenary special (pictured in-character)
Following the episode, Doctor Who teased the return of two former companions in the spellbinding trailer for its centenary special, airing later this year much to the excitement of fans.
The titular character, played Jodie Whittaker, is told that she is going to die in the gripping footage, having announced her departure from the iconic role last year.
She’ll be joined by Aussie air stewardess Tegan Jovanka (Sophie Aldred) who starred alongside Sylvester McCoy in the late 80s, as well as Ace (Janet Fielding) having worked with Tom Baker and Peter Davison earlier in the same decade.
![Return: The Doctor will be joined by an Aussie air stewardess Tegan Jovanka (Sophie Aldred) who starred alongside Sylvester McCoy in the late 80s](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/04/18/01/56727409-10727227-image-a-257_1650242472360.jpg)
Return: The Doctor will be joined by an Aussie air stewardess Tegan Jovanka (Sophie Aldred) who starred alongside Sylvester McCoy in the late 80s
Usual favourites including the Daleks and Cybermen feature in the 30-second extravaganza while the Doctor is seen regenerating in another clip, despite being told it would be the ‘end of her existence’.
The sci-fi drama hit the small screen in 1963, however the BBC is celebrating one hundred years since its launch as a radio station in October 1922.
Current Time Lord Jodie’s role comes to an end this autumn with a regeneration episode after she became the first ever female Doctor in 2017.
Doctor Who will return later this year for BBC’s Centenary Special.
![Here she is: Ace (Janet Fielding) worked with Tom Baker and Peter Davison earlier in the same decade, is also set to return for the special](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/04/18/01/56727357-10727227-image-m-255_1650242443717.jpg)
Here she is: Ace (Janet Fielding) worked with Tom Baker and Peter Davison earlier in the same decade, is also set to return for the special