Sex Education's Ncuti Gatwa announced as the new Doctor Who

Ncuti will take over from Jodie Whittaker

Author: Hazel ScottPublished 9th May 2022
Last updated 9th May 2022

Jodie Whittaker has been in the role of Doctor Who since 2017, but following the announcement in July last year that she would be leaving, fans of the show have been guessing who the next actor to step into the role might be.

Well, we finally have answers! It was recently announced that Sex Education star Ncuti Gatwa will become the 14th Doctor, with bosses confirming the news on Sunday 8th May.

The news was announced with a social media post from the official Doctor Who Twitter account which said: 'The future is here! Ncuti Gatwa is the Doctor'.

Following on from a long list of talented actors, including Peter Capaldi, Matt Smith, David Tennant, and Christopher Eccleston in the more recent series and William Hartnell, Patrick Troughton, Jon Pertwee, Tom Baker, Peter Davison, Colin Baker, Sylvester McCoy, Paul McGann in the original series, Ncuti will be the 14th Time Lord.

Commenting on his new role, Ncuti said: "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.

"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. I will endeavour my utmost to do the same."

Showrunner Russel T. Davies, who is returning to the show in 2023, also commented on the 29-year-old actor joining the series: "Sometimes talent walks through the door and it's so bright and bold and brilliant, I just stand back in awe and thank my lucky stars.

"Ncuti dazzled us, seized hold of the Doctor and owned those TARDIS keys in seconds. It's an honour to work with him, and a hoot, I can't wait to get started.

"I'm sure you're dying to know more, but we're rationing ourselves for now, with the wonderful Jodie's epic finale yet to come. But I promise you, 2023 will be spectacular!"

Check out the original names of our favourite TV shows:

Friends

We all know and love it as Friends, but the TV show could have been called something very different...

Six of One

Six Of One just doesn't have the same ring to it! Here are the cast Jennifer Aniston, Matt Le Blanc, Courteney Cox, Matthew Perry, David Schwimmer and Lisa Kudrow. Mega-fans, you can watch Friends daily on Comedy Central (YAY!) or on Friends – The Complete Series 1-10 on Blu-ray and DVD.

NCIS

NCIS finished its 14th season earlier this year - this moment is from the gripping season finale.

NavyNCIS

Starring Duane Henry, Emily Wickersham, and Wilmer Valderrama (above) NCIS was originally going to be called NavyNCIS.

Only Fools and Horses

We know it as Only Fools and Horses with Del Boy's infamous Reliant Regal Supervan.

Readies or Big Brother

But it was originally due to be called Readies or Big Brother. Good job they went with Only Fools and Horses, then!

The Big Bang Theory

The Big Bang Theory could have been called something a lot less catchy...

Lenny, Penny and Kenny

Yep - Sheldon was very nearly called Kenny!

Saturday Night Live

US variety show Saturday Night Live is well known around the world - here's Star Wars actor Adam Driver introducing the show.

NBC's Saturday Night

Not quite the same, is it? Here's Ariana Grande's ex-fiancé Pete Davidson, who works on the show as a comedian.

Hannah Montana

Hannah Montana, was a musical comedy starring Miley Cyrus in the lead role and was named after the main character, but it could have been very different.

Alexis Texas

The lead character was originally going to be called Alexis Texas... Which means that the show would also have been called Alexis Texas!

Lost

The gripping TV show Lost, starring Terry O'Quinn as John Locke (pictured), kept people guessing the ending for years.

Nowhere

Lost could have been called Nowhere!

New Girl

Known as New Girl, the TV show starring Zooey Deschanel as kooky teacher Jess Day could have been called something else entirely.

Chicks and D---s

While New Girl was the name they finally settled on, it had a much ruder working title - and Zooey Deschanel refused to sign onto the project whilst that was the name.

Buffy The Vampire Slayer

Supernatural TV series Buffy The Vampire Slayer was a hit in the late 90s and early 00s. It was named after the lead character Buffy Summers, played by Sarah Michelle Gellar.

Slayers

It was originally going to be called Slayers.

The Good Wife

Known as The Good Wife, the TV series starred Christine Baranski as Diane Lockhart (pictured), as a top litigator and senior partner of a Chicago law firm.

Leave the B-----d

The series, which also starred Sex and the City's Chris Noth (pictured), was originally going to be called Leave the B-----d.

29-year-old Ncuti, who was born in Rwanda, has appeared as Eric Effiong in popular Netflix show Sex Education since 2019.

Although no dates have been confirmed just yet, Ncuti is expected to appear as Doctor Who in a special episode to celebrate the BBC's centenary this year, before taking on the role for the brand new series.

Now Read:

First look at James Nesbitt's new thriller Suspect

Call The Midwife gets release date as series 12 filming begins

ITV planning I'm A Celeb 'All-stars' spin-off show for 2023

How to listen to Downtown Radio:

Tune into Northern Ireland's Home of Great Music, Downtown Radio on FM, AM, DAB Digital Radio, online, on our Rayo app and by asking your smart speaker to 'Play Downtown Radio'. Gary & Glen kick things off every weekday morning and Neal McClelland brings you home on Downtown Drive.