Doctor Who‘s new Doctor, Ncuti Gatwa, couldn’t be happier to take a spin in the TARDIS.
In a discussion with President of Disney Branded Television Ayo Davis at a Disney+ event, Gatwa shared his thoughts on taking up the mantle of the legendary character.
“I feel amazing,” he said. “I get silenced…my mouth is paralyzed every time I think about the concept of playing this role because of what it means to the fans, to everyone that watches.”
Gatwa will play the Fifteenth Doctor, following on the heels of David Tennant. Tennant played the Tenth Doctor from 2005 to 2010 and will be returning as the Fourteenth Doctor for three special episodes next year. Gatwa is best known for stealing scenes as the incredible Eric Effiong in Sex Education.
While talking with Davis, Gatwa also addressed the show’s importance to British culture, and what it means to have a person of color and an immigrant in the role. “As a show…its roots are so deep within British culture and the fabric of Britishness that as a Rwandan immigrant to the country, it feels really powerful,” Gatwa said.
Gatwa also highlighted the show’s importance “for people of color, for marginalized people that really gravitate towards the show, because it’s about friendship, and it’s about adventure, and it’s about union and unity.”
“And also, the Doctor can regenerate into anything,” Gatwa continued. “The possibilities are endless, and the fact that that notion is going out to lots of people…I think it’s just really beautiful.”
On the topic of what we can expect from his outing as the Doctor, Gatwa remained coy. “I don’t want to get fired, I just got the job,” he laughed.
However, he did confirm that he has seen the inside of his TARDIS. We can all assume it’s bigger on the inside.