The new Doctor Ncuti Gatwa has spoken about getting to know the “dedicated and passionate” fans of the BBC series - while adding his father will no doubt give him notes on his first appearances as the Time Lord.
Scottish-Rwandan Gatwa, 31, who was previously best-known for playing Eric Effiong in Netflix’s Sex Education, is the first black actor to take on the role of the Doctor.
He made his debut at the character in a special episode broadcast on December 9, with the fourteenth series due for release next year.
He will appear as the Doctor on the Christmas Day special.
Appearing on the Graham Norton show on Friday evening, Gatwa discusses the Doctor Who fanbase, while also suggesting he is portraying an energetic take on the famous character.
He said: “I like physical theatre and got to do a lot. I am a very energetic doctor. I was showing off on the first day, with lots of acrobatics but they all got cut out!”
Talking about the Whovians, he continued: “They’ve found me. They are a very dedicated and passionate fan base.”
One fan, he said, is his father - who he said was an avid critic of his work.
Asked if he will be watching his first show on Christmas day, he said: “I will but it is nerve wracking and I know my dad will give me notes!”
Gatwa also spoke about his debut as the Doctor - which for the first time in the show's history saw him star alongside incumbent actor, David Tennant. Usually, the Doctor regenerates - effectively killing off the former incarnation.
He said: “This is the first time The Doctor is bi-generation and has split in two. It was useful that David (Tennant) didn’t die and that he was around because I could copy him.”
Joining Gatwa on The Graham Norton sofa was The Crown star Imelda Stuanton, Northern Irish star Jamie Dornan, Scottish actor Jack Lowden and American singer songwriter Gregory Porter.
Staunton spoke about portraying the late Queen in the last two series of the Netflix drama.
The final episodes of The Crown were released by Netflix this week.
The last installment of the series sees the Queen reflect on the future of the monarchy as she reaches her Golden Jubilee, Charles and Camilla getting married, and a romance blossoming between William and Kate.
The first part of the final series, which was released in November, centred around the immediate events before Diana’s death in 1997 and her funeral.
Reflecting on her role, Staunton said: “Everyone knows this version of her, so it felt very present, and I felt a bit more pressure.
“In this final six episodes there are particular issues that she faced at this point in her reign, which dramatically is interesting to play – Margaret has gone, The Queen Mother, and we have Charles and Camilla.”
Staunton revealed she listened to the late Queen’s national address following the princess’ death “every moment of every day” before filming the significant scene.
She added: “When we came to do it, I didn’t talk to anyone because it was a very serious moment and a serious time, and I thought I would try and recreate that.
“It was very still on set, and I got lost in the moment.”
