When Ncuti Gatwa received the call that changed his life, he was walking to a London barbershop. His agent announced that he had landed the lead role in the cult British TV series Doctor Who. Gatwa, a Scottish actor originally from Rwanda, was stunned by the news and gave up thinking about it for a week, trying to get back to everyday business.
“Doctor Who” is a national treasure of Great Britain, since its debut in 1963, many famous British actors have starred in it. For Gatwa, who is now 31 years old, the role of the Doctor was a challenge and a shock. “On the first day on set, I saw the TARDIS and realized: It’s British television, I can’t screw it up,” he recalls.
Failure is not a word that is usually associated with Gatwa. His fame began with the role of Eric Effiong in the Netflix series “Sex Education”, where he received recognition for his bold and lively acting. Since then, he has become the first black and openly gay actor to play the Doctor. His debut took place in the anniversary edition last December. Gatwa also starred in the Apple TV+ series “Masters of the Air” and the Greta Gerwig film “Barbie”.
Screenwriter Russell T. Davis, who brought the series back to success in 2005 and became a showrunner again in 2023, is confident in Gatwa’s talent. “He was absolutely amazing,” Davis says, recalling the casting.
A few years ago, Gatwa almost gave up acting after an unsuccessful theatrical tour in America. But fate smiled on him when Netflix offered him a role in “Sex Education.” Since then, his career has taken off.
Today, Gatwa is leading Doctor Who to a new era. In May, the show premiered in more than 150 countries thanks to a partnership between the BBC and Disney. Doctor Who can now reach a larger audience than ever before.
Gatwa hopes that his role will be remembered not only as overcoming barriers, but also as a bright and memorable Doctor. “I just want people to see me as a damn good Doctor,” he says. Critics have already praised his performance, noting him as a dynamic and refreshing force in the show.
Inspired by his experience, Gatwa hopes to take up producing and continue to create in the industry. “Now I realize that something I did could have touched someone’s heart or made them feel safer or less alone,” he says.
With a future that promises to be bright and successful, Gatwa seems ready to conquer new heights in his career and leave a significant mark on British culture.
