Skip to content

UK-based Rwandan actor Ncuti Gatwa lands iconic British role as Doctor Who star

Ncuti Gatwa 3 edited 1
Rwandan-born actor Ncuti Gatwa lands iconic British role as Doctor Who star.

Rwandan-born actor, Ncuti Gatwa, landed a lead role as the next Doctor Who in the famous series becoming the first black actor to play the role.

The 29-year old will become the 14th Time Lord on the popular science fiction show and will make his debut in 2023.

Scottish actor Gatwa, is best known for starring in Netflix’s sitcom Sex Education as Eric Effiong. “It feels really amazing. It’s a true honour. This role is an institution and it’s so iconic,” he told BBC news.

Ncuti also added that he had been trying to hide his involvement in the role so it comes as a surprise to fans who follow and admire the series. He confessed it had been a task to keep from sharing the news.

Ncuti Gatwa admitted that as the next Doctor Who he felt very grateful to have had the baton handed over and promised to do his best.

READ MORE: Eugene Boateng awarded the best actor by German Film critic

Nollywood star Yul Edochie takes son to church for dedication while still facing backlash over 2nd wife

Ncuti Gatwa 4
Ncuti Gatwa and Russell T Davies.

BBC wrote that Showrunner Russell T Davies said Gatwa had impressed him in a “blazing” audition. “It was our last audition. It was our very last one,” the writer and producer said. “We thought we had someone, and then in he came and stole it.’

Ncuti Gatwa was nominated for the Bafta for best male performance in comedy drama Sex Education for the third year in a row for his role as Eric.

He has already won a Scottish Bafta and a Rose d’Or Award for Sex Education.