Ncuti Gatwa makes ‘Doctor Who’ history as the first black doctor

Doctor Who, the BBC series, has been a perennial favorite of sci-fi fans since its beginning in 1963. Several different actors have portrayed the titular character, a space alien who is one of the last of an intergalactic race called the Time Lords of the planet Gallifrey. The Doctor travels throughout the solar system in his space vehicle the TARDIS, with various human friends and allies over the years who help him solve celestial shenanigans and crises. The Doctor is known for their quirky personality and heroism, though the face of the character changes. The newest actor to take on the role, Ncuti Gatwa, is set to make history for the franchise as the first black actor to portray the Doctor.

The Verge reports that Gatwa has been named as the fourteenth Doctor. He will replace the current actor, Jodie Whittaker, in 2023. Whittaker herself tossed a sonic screwdriver at the glass ceiling by being the first female actor to portray Doctor Who. Sci-fi fantasy author Neil Gaiman long advocated for a female Doctor, stating in 2017 that his dream casting would be Gillian Anderson. Whittaker was chosen and debuted in 2017. The Doctor’s many faces began to change when the first actor to portray the character, William Hartnell, departed the series.  The tradition within the Whoverse usually sees the outgoing Doctor stay on for one more episode in which they “regenerate” into a new incarnation of themselves. This will happen with Whittaker and Gatwa, as Whittaker’s last episode will be the one in which Gatwa debuts. It will air in commemoration of BBC’s 100th anniversary.

Before being cast as the fourteenth actor to portray Doctor Who, Gatwa starred in the Netflix series Sex Education. Audiences eagerly awaiting his debut as the Doctor will also get a chance to see him alongside Margot Robbie in the upcoming Barbie movie.