Ncuti Gatwa: “I never dreamed of being the Doctor”
Solar revelation of Sex Education, the British actor born in Rwanda is now officially the 15th Doctor Who in History. At 31, he took command of the Tardis between deference and excitement. Encounter.
From Moordale to the Tardis, there is only one step Ncuti Gatwa crossed with the enthusiasm that characterizes him so much. Since December 9, 2023, the former of Sex Education is officially the 15th Doctor of Doctor Who. Succeeding David Tennant, Jodie Whitaker, Peter Capaldi and Matt Smith, here he is at the helm of the Tardis, at only 31 years old, with the mission of rejuvenating the audience of the sci-fi classic and bringing a breath of necessary diversity to the series created in the 1960s. While season 14 of Doctor Who will begin on May 11 (on Disney Plus in France), Ncuti Gatwa confides in Première, without ever really taking himself seriously. His trademark.
FIRST: You are now the 15th Doctor. Is this a dream come true?
Ncuti Gatwa: I never dreamed of being the Doctor, to tell the truth… But it is true that this series is part of the furniture of all English families. Let's say that an intense desire to play the Doctor appeared in me… two weeks before the audition (laughs)!
What does it mean to you to be the first black Doctor?
I'm not really the first black Doctor! Jo Martin was technically (she was “Doctor Fugitive” for 4 episodes in 2020). But yes, it was about time for it to happen. Doctor Who has always been a progressive series, embracing diversity. So it had to happen and I’m excited to be a part of it. I am proud.
Have you asked previous Doctors for advice?
I had the chance to work with David Tennant directly, during the special episodes of 2023. I was able to see what a Doctor must do! He was very generous with me, he shared lots of things from his experience.
Did you have complete freedom to do what you wanted with the character? Or are there rules, limits to respect?
In truth, I had complete freedom to put my paw on this character. Even more than I expected. They really insisted that I do this role in my own way. So I did everything to make him a mix between William Hartnell (the first Doctor from the 60s) and David Tennant (laughs)! In fact, the producers asked me to bring my energy to the character and that's what I tried to do. They trusted me completely.
Can we say that your Doctor will be the first queer Doctor?
I find it a little weird to talk about the Doctor's sexuality, because he's technically an Alien. So he's not queer, he's omnisexual! So, I find it strange to place very human qualifiers on this creature which does not come from Earth. On the other hand, the series is very, very queer (laughs). Russell (Davies) really wrote this season with a rainbow pen! For me, he is the real doctor! He constantly reinvents the series. It is he who brings this electric energy which carries the whole series.
You drew on Eric Effiong, your character from Sex Educationto imagine your Doctor?
No. Absolutely not. No relation to Eric Effiong. Eric Effiong, it's over! He won't come back! Please don't talk to me about Eric anymore (laughs)!
Your Doctor will have a new companion at his side, Ruby Sunday (Millie Gibson). How will this relationship develop?
I understood better who my Doctor was going to be when she entered the room… The complicity between Ruby Sunday and him defines my version of the Doctor in fact. Together, we have a chemistry that balances. It must be said that when two talented young actors are brought together like this… (laughs)
What's the funnest thing you've done as the Doctor so far?
All scenes in the TARDIS! Besides, at one point, we weren't filming too much in the TARDIS and I started to complain. I love pulling the levers to make it fly! That’s really what connects me the most with this role. That, and seeing actors take off their monster costumes to eat a banana between takes (laughs). The Boogeyman with a banana… It's so improbable.
Doctor Who, season 14, to watch on Disney Plus in France from Saturday May 11, 2024 in France.
