The BBC has announced that Nakuti Gatwa will replace Jodie Whitaker as the Time Lord in Doctor Who.
The 29-year-old would become the 14th Doctor on the popular BBC show, after Whitaker announced last July that she would be leaving the role.
Scottish actor Gatwa, born in Rwanda, plays Eric Efiong in Netflix’s hugely popular Sex Education about socially awkward high school student Otis (Asa Butterfield) and his sex therapist mother Jean (Gillian Anderson). has acted.
He said: “There aren’t enough words to describe how I feel. A mix of deeply honored, beyond excited and definitely a little intimidated. This role and the show have been so much for so many people around the world. matters, myself included, and each of my incredibly talented predecessors handled that unique responsibility and privilege with the utmost care.
“I will do my best to make that happen. Russell T. Davies is almost as iconic as the doctor himself and to be able to work with him is a dream come true. His writing is dynamic, exciting, incredibly intelligent and dangerous. are filled.
“The metaphorical playground of an actor. The entire team is very welcoming and really gives their heart to the show.
“And as hard as it is, I know I’m joining a really supportive family. Unlike the Doctor, I may only have one heart but I’m giving it all to this show.”
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Asa Butterfield as Otis Milburn, Nakuti Gatwa as Eric Ephiong in Episode 7 of Sex Education Season 3. Ten million. Sam Taylor/Netflix © 2020
In 2020 Gatwa was named winner of the Actor category for his role in Sex Education at the Scottish BAFTAs, and has been nominated at this year’s BAFTA TV Awards, taking place on 8 May for Best Male Performance in a Comedy Program. Is.
The actor previously told Big Issue magazine about moving from Scotland to London in 2020 when he was 21 and how he spent months before landing his role in sex education ‘couch-surfing’: “I didn’t have a home I was homeless.
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“The only thing stopping me from being on the streets was that I had friends. But you can use that goodwill. Or you are afraid to ask people for help. Your pride comes.
“So my life before sex education was very different. In order to get to my audition, I had to ask my friend to transfer me 10 quid so I could top-up my Oyster card.”
Whitaker 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 a showrunner after leaving the show in 2009.
Davis, who was responsible for the 2005 revival of Doctor Who, will return in 2023 to celebrate the show’s 60th anniversary, the BBC has previously said.
He said: “The future is here and it’s Nakuti! 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.
“Ncuti dazzled us, grabbed the doctor and took ownership of those TARDIS keys in seconds.
“Working with them is an honor, and a hoot, I can’t wait to start. I’m sure you’re dying to know more, but we’re rationing ourselves for now, The epic finale of the wonderful couple is yet to come.
“But I promise you, 2023 will be fantastic!”
The announcement was teased by Davis and Gatwa on Instagram, along with a post with two heart emoji, a plus symbol and a blue square.
BBC Chief Content Officer Charlotte Moore said: “Nakuti has an incredible dynamism, a charming and fearless young actor whose talent and energy will move the world and Doctor Who on extraordinary adventures under the new era of Russell T. will take it.”
Georgia Tennant, wife of former Doctor Who star David Tennant and daughter of Peter Davison, who played the Doctor, reacted to the news that Gatwa would be taking over from Jodie Whitaker, tweeting: “Hello dad”.
Scotland’s Culture Secretary, Angus Robertson, tweeted: “Congratulations to Nawati Gatwa on becoming the new Dr Who. Great to see the success of this young Scottish acting talent and graduating from the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland.
The BBC said further details would be announced at an appropriate time.
