Russell T Davies praises Ncuti Gatwa over his showstopping Doctor Who audition

2nd October 2022

It’s A Sin creator Russell T Davies has opened up about Ncuti Gatwa’s electric Doctor Who audition.

Back in May, the Sex Education star was announced as the new Time Lord for Doctor Who’s upcoming season.

The role was previously held by Jodie Whittaker, who starred in three series and numerous specials.

“There aren’t quite the words to describe how I’m feeling. A mix of deeply honoured, beyond excited, and of course a little bit scared,” Gatwa shared in a statement.

“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.”

With the new series of Doctor Who around the corner, Davies gave further insight into Gatwa’s “thunderbolt” audition in a statement for the actor’s Time 100 Next profile.

“Ncuti Gatwa’s creation of Eric Effiong in Netflix’s Sex Education went soaring around the world. The character of the gay sidekick is meant to stay in the shadows. Not Eric! He strutted in, stole the spotlight, and I think a gracious, awestruck cast simply stood back and allowed him the room,” he explained.

“I’d watched him onscreen, and thought I had the measure of him, until he walked into the room for Doctor Who audition. Bang! Thunderbolt.

“And bear in mind, for U.K. TV, the part of the Doctor is the Crown Jewels, it’s history, it’s tradition, it’s… Oh, sod that, I said, and threw it at him. He’s conquered the world. Now all of time and space is his.”

In response to Davies’ statement, the 29-year-old thanked the Queer as Folk creator in a heartfelt Instagram post.

“Thank you [Time] for this incredible honour. And thank you, Russell T Davies. Your words are a constant blessing in my life, it seems,” he wrote alongside his Time 100 photo.

While information surrounding the 14th series of Doctor Who has been scarce, Neil Patrick Harris – who’s set to play a villain in the new episodes – shared a few BTS details about his experience filming with Gatwa.

“I got to meet and interact with him a bit, and he’s glorious,” he said in an interview with Variety. “He’ll be the first gay Doctor, which is going to be super cool, a sexier Doctor.”