Ncuti Gatwa, the next lead of Doctor Who, shares his thoughts about being the first Black man to play the titular character. After a revival in 2005, the series has aired for 13 full seasons, and Gatwa will be the sixth actor to lead it starting with Doctor Who season 14. He joins a long line of actors who became icons of British and international culture as the Doctor. Even so, Gatwa has faced criticism for taking up the role because of his identity.
In a recent interview with Rolling Stone UK, Gatwa discusses his sense of kinship with Doctor Who and the backlash he’s faced from the press as the first Black actor to assume the role. The actor says his experience as a Rwandan refugee has him resonating with the Doctor’s journey of revival. Still, Gatwa acknowledges his anxieties and his determination to overcome the noise, saying:
“I’m the first Black man to play this character. The British press can be very mean… I just have to focus on the job and stay true to what the Doctor is: a mad scientist alien who has adventures and cares about everyone.”
Support for Gatwa’s Doctor Remains Strong
The newest Doctor is not alone on this journey. Gatwa says showrunner Russell T Davies “has been amazing, too. He calms me down.” The actor also unabashedly reveals, “I can get very anxious, but therapy helps, and they’ve made sure that I have time put aside to have my sessions.” Past Doctors, such as Peter Capaldi, David Tennant, and Matt Smith, have reached out to offer their support. Tennant set up a group chat for the previous Doctor Who actors to stay in contact with each other and give advice on how to deal with the press.
Having a team who has Gatwa’s back and knows his talent will surely lead to success as he plays the Fifteenth Doctor. His openness about his feelings about being the first Black man to lead Doctor Who is also a testament to his character. Gatwa is unafraid to push boundaries and subvert expectations about who he is and what he is capable of.
Doctor Who prizes reinvention, and Gatwa will surely put forth a bold re-imagining in his interpretation of the time-traveling alien. His future within the franchise looks bright; Gatwa has even already hinted he will return for Doctor Who season 15, and he hasn’t even made his official debut yet. Described as a fashion-forward Doctor who will be exploring his vulnerable side, there is high anticipation for what Gatwa’s portrayal of the Time Lord will look like.
Source: Rolling Stone UK
This story originally appeared on Screenrant
