On the eighth of May, 2022, Ncuti Gatwa was announced as the 15th incarnation of the Doctor Who franchise. The star of Netflix’s “Sex Education” is set to take over from Jodie Whittaker in this year’s set of specials, but not before we continue from where we left off at the end of “The Power of the Doctor”, and the cliffhanger that saw David Tennant, become the 14th incarnation.

The next episodes are set to air in November of this year, on BBC, with Tennant having a short stint as the Doctor, before handing the role over to Gatwa. 

Gatwa, a Rwandan-Scottish actor, previously starred as Eric Effiong, an openly gay character in Netflix’s “Sex Education”, and is also set to star in the upcoming “Barbie” movie. Born in Kigali, Gatwa and his family escaped the 1990’s Rwandan Genocide and moved to Scotland, where he attended various high schools before moving to Glasgow to attend the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in Acting in 2013. He was also awarded with an honorary doctorate at the class of 2022 graduation ceremony. 

When he was announced as the newest doctor, Gatwa stated, “There aren’t quite the words to describe how I’m feeling. A mix of deeply [honored], 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 [endeavor] my utmost to do the same…Unlike the Doctor, I may only have one heart, but I am giving it all to this show.” 

With Gatwa’s casting, he marked some important milestones. He is the first black actor, the fourth Scottish actor and the first actor not born in the United Kingdom to play the lead. 

Russell T. Davies, the showrunner, added, “Ncuti dazzled us, seized hold of the Doctor and owned those TARDIS keys in seconds. It’s an [honor] to work with him, and… I can’t wait to get started. I’m sure you’re dying to know more, but we’re rationing ourselves for now, with the wonderful Jodie’s epic finale yet to come. But I promise you, 2023 will be spectacular!”