'Unlike any we've seen before': Ncuti Gatwa shares insights on 'Doctor Who' during 'GMA' interview
NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK: Ncuti Gatwa, in his role as the 15th incarnation of the two-hearted 'Time Lord,' who navigates through space and time using a spaceship cleverly disguised as a British police box named TARDIS, engaged in a conversation with 'Good Morning America' on December 22.
The discussion revolved around his experiences portraying 'Doctor Who.'
At 31 years old, the actor known for his role in 'Sex Education' expressed his exhilaration, describing the experience of stepping into "a really great, meaty role" as "amazing." He also emphasized the personal significance the role held for him.
Born in Rwanda and raised in Scotland, Gatwa stated, "As a Black man and as an immigrant, it feels quite symbolic to take on this role - I don't know, I think it's just quite symbolic as to where we are in society."
A quintessentially British role
"You've got like Doctor Who, the Queen, James Bond, Mr Bean - there are a few things that are so identifiably British, and 'Doctor Who' is one of them," said Gatwa, explaining the significance of the role to the audiences of the United Kingdom, and the world at large.
The series first aired on the BBC in 1963, and Gatwa felt that with the freedom to breathe fresh life into the character came the sense of pressure to remain true to its history.
Gatwa expressed a sense of freedom in portraying the character, stating, "I do (feel a sense of freedom) because the character is so mercurial and so epic that there's so much to play with … so the scope of what's, like, believable for this character is huge. You can make the oddest of choices, and it works for the Doctor."
"And yet, there is a 60-year-long legacy to honor, and 14 other actors that have come before, and a writer (returning showrunner Russell T Davies) that knows the show like nobody else," he continued.
Since the reboot of the series in 2005, the Doctor has been portrayed by a host of talented actors including Christopher Eccleston, David Tennant, Matt Smith, Peter Capaldi, and Jodie Whittaker.
"There's a high bar to clear, a lot of weight to carry. But it's fun to do so," Gatwa added.
Ncuti Gatwa's portrayal of the 'Time Lord'
Gatwa shared that his version of the character was "a little bit cheeky, a little bit naughty, mischievous, but also emotional ... We've never seen a Doctor like this before."
In his debut appearance during the 60th-anniversary special of 'Doctor Who,' Gatwa achieved a historic milestone by becoming the first incarnation of the character to bi-generate, splitting into another self, separate from David Tennant's Doctor.
The first official outing of Gatwa as 'Doctor Who' will be on the Christmas special episode of 2023, titled 'The Church on Ruby Road.' He will be joined by his new companion, Ruby Sunday, played by Millie Gibson, during the episode.
Reports suggest that the actors have formed a strong bond through their respective roles, with Gatwa playfully remarking that the duo "just cannot help but get ourselves into trouble."
Regarding the dynamic between Ruby and the Doctor, Gatwa explained that both characters are "very curious beings."
He highlighted Ruby's bravery and selflessness, expressing the Doctor's belief that she would "be great to save the world with."
