Doctor Who’s new Time Lord is Ncuti Gatwa, the BBC has announced. The 29-year-old Sex Education star will take over from Jodie Whittaker as the 14th Doctor to grace our screens, after she announced in July last year that it would be her final stint on the show.
Scottish native Ncuti starred as Eric Effiong in hit Netflix show Sex Education, which focused on high-school student Otis (Asa Butterfield) and his sex therapist mother Jean (Gillian Anderson), as he coaches his fellow students through their sexual exploits and problems.
Ncuti was born in Rwanda, and posted a teaser to his Instagram before the announcement - simply two heart emojis, a plus symbol and a blue square - to represent the notorious ‘blue box’.
READ MORE: Gogglebox star Marcus Luther's famous son and why he'll never be on the show
Jodie has starred as the Time Lord since 2017, and was the first female doctor to exist on the hit show. Russel T Davies, known for Queer As Folk and It’s A Sin, is returning as the programme’s showrunner after departing the show in 2009.
He was responsible for Doctor Who’s revival in 2005, and will be back to celebrate the show’s 60th anniversary in 2023, the BBC previously said. In a statement on the official Doctor Who website, Ncuti said: “There aren’t quite the words to describe how I’m feeling.
“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.”
