'Doctor Who' 14th Doctor: Who Will Replace Jodie Whittaker as Time Lord in 2023?

The BBC has announced that Ncuti Gatwa will succeed Jodie Whittaker as the star of 'Doctor Who.' On the popular science fiction program, the 29-year-old will become the 14th Time Lord and the first person of color to assume the major character.

Ncuti Gatwa, a Rwandan-born Scottish actor, is most known for his role in Netflix's series 'Sex Education.' Gatwa claimed the character of the Doctor "means a lot to so many people, including myself," on the red carpet ahead of Sunday's Bafta TV Awards, where he was nominated for 'Sex Education.' In 2023, Gatwa will make his Time Lord debut.

'Doctor Who' Names New Actor

Russell T Davies, the showrunner, claimed Gatwa wowed him in a fiery audition. On the red carpet of the Baftas, the creator of Queer As Folk and It's A Sin, who is returning to Doctor Who after leaving in 2009, shared a selfie with Gatwa.

For the third year in a row, the actor was nominated for the Bafta for best male performance in a comedy show for his role as Eric in Sex Education. He was not only nominated, but he also presented the Bafta for best-written comedy during the event on Sunday, receiving a standing ovation as he stepped on stage, BBC reported.

Gatwa, who was born in Rwanda and reared in Scotland, will take over as the 14th Doctor from Jodie Whittaker, who announced her retirement from the series in July. The original BBC program 'Doctor Who' starred a time-traveling hero who rescued the day with just his wits and his wits from 1963 to 1989. Following the relaunch of the program in 2005, several actors, including Christopher Eccleston, David Tennant, and Matt Smith, have played the Doctor. In 2018, Whittaker made history as the first woman to play the Doctor.

The BBC revealed that Russell T. Davies, who served as showrunner until 2010, will return to the show after more than a decade away. In a statement, Gatwa stated, "Russell T. Davies is nearly as iconic as the Doctor himself, and being able to collaborate with him is a dream come true, " as per CNET.

Gatwa, Davies Seen Posing For SNAPS as Awards Show

Jo Martin portrayed Ruth Clayton, the first black Time Lord, in the January 2020 episode Future of the Judoon, but Gatwa is the first black Doctor to be cast as the series' star. Gatwa and Davies, who is returning as Doctor Who's showrunner, smiled and posed for photos at the Virgin Media British Academy Television Awards on Sunday, just hours after the announcement.

Ncuti Gatwa finished the ensemble with a pair of shoes and a black suit with a plunging neckline and spectacular floor-length tassels. Gatwa and Davies, who will return as showrunner for 'Doctor Who,' smiled and posed for photos at the Virgin Media British Academy Television Awards on Sunday, only hours after the news.

Ncuti Gatwa finished the ensemble with a pair of shoes and a black suit with a plunging neckline and spectacular floor-length tassels. Meanwhile, Davies claimed that the crew assumed they had already cast The Doctor until Gatwa walked in and stole the part.

Gatwa is up against Jamie Demetriou (Stath Lets Flats), Joe Gilgun (Brassic), Samson Kayo (Bloods), Steve Coogan (This Time With Alan Partridge), and Tim Renkow for Male Performance in a Comedy Programme at this year's BAFTA TV Awards for his performance as Eric in Sex Education (Jerk).

After leaving the show in 2009, Davies, who wrote for Queer As Folk and It's A Sin, is returning as the showrunner. Davies, who oversaw the relaunch of Doctor Who in 2005, will return in 2023 to commemorate the show's 60th anniversary, according to the Daily Mail.