Everything you need to know about the Doctor Who star Ncuti Gatwa
From Sex Education to featuring on a track with JADE
Ncuti Gatwa rose to fame after his standout performance on Netflix's hit series Sex Education, which earned him a BAFTA Scotland Award for Best Actor in Television, along with three BAFTA Television Award nominations. Going from strength-to-strength, he soon bagged the honourable role of the 14th Doctor Who! A rising star, it's clear he's not slowing down anytime soon...
Appearing in the 2023 blockbuster hit Barbie, the talented actor quickly signed up to several new roles, and you can even catch him featuring on the wonderful Jade Thirlwall's latest offering 'Midnight Cowboy'. With much more to come from the talented actor, join us as we get to know Ncuti Gatwa a little bit better...
What did Ncuti Gatwa do before Sex Education?
When he was 21-years-old, Ncuti Gatwa moved to London in search of work, but found himself homeless despite temping at Harrod's. In an interview with Big Issue he explained: "I was working constantly - and at some good places - I spent a year at the Globe Theatre, I did a lot of work at Kneehigh, who are a physical theatre company."
He went on to say: "I was supposed to move into a new place and it fell through. So for five months before Sex Education, I was couch-surfing among all my friends.
"I didn't have a home. I was homeless."
Ncuti Gatwa in Sex Education
Ncuti has been a series regular in Sex Education since the first season, which aired in 2019. He plays the role of Eric Effiong who is Otis Milburn's best friend. Eric is the gay son of Ghanaian-Nigerian immigrants, Abeo and Beatrice Effiong.
Ncuti received a lot of praise for his character which earned him several nominations and awards including a BAFTA Scotland Award for Best Actor in Television in 2020, followed by BAFTA Television Award nominations for Best Male Comedy Performance, in 2020, 2021 and 2022.
In an interview with The Outnet, Ncuti revealed that playing Eric has helped with his styling: "He's taught me that clothes are to play with," he explained.
The talented actor reprised his role for the last time in the fourth and final season, which was released on 21st September 2023.
What awards has Ncuti Gatwa been nominated for?
Ncuti has been nominated for several awards, starting back in 2019 he was nominated for two MTV awards for Best Breakthrough Performance and Best Kiss (with Connor Swindells, who plays Adam Groff). He was also nominated for a BAFTA Scotland award for Best Actor in Television, however he wasn't to win that award until the following year in 2020.
Ncuti has also been nominated for three BAFTA nominations in consecutive years from 2020 to 2022, as well as a Critics Choice Award for Best Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series, in 2022.
In 2022, the actor won a National Comedy Award for Outstanding Supporting Role.
Ncuti Gatwa confirmed as 14th Doctor Who
In 2022, Ncuti was announced as the next Doctor Who, taking over from Jodie Whittaker who had been in the role since 2017. The news was announced on the official Doctor Who social media platforms, writing on Instagram: 'The future is here! Ncuti Gatwa is the Doctor. ❤️❤️➕🟦'.
Ncuti Gatwa as Doctor Who
On 20th April 2023, we were finally able to see Ncuti in character as Doctor Who for the first time! Taking to his Instagram, he shared six images showing off his 1960s inspired look, donning a striped clue suit and appearing alongside Coronation Street's Millie Gibson, who will play his companion in the upcoming season.
Ncuti wrote: 'The doctor will see you now..' as he shared the exciting first look images.
Ncuti debuted in his first episode as lead actor in the festive period of 2023, with the 14th series later coming to our screens in 2024.
Ncuti Gatwa in the Barbie movie
Ncuti played the role of another Ken in the hit Barbie film, which also stars Ryan Gosling and Margot Robbie as Ken and Barbie.
He was reunited with his Sex Education co-stars Emma Mackey and Connor Swindells, who also featured in the film - with Emma appearing as another Barbie (a physicist) and Connor playing the role of Aaron (a Mattel employee).
Check out everything you need to know about the Barbie film, including cast, release date, trailers, the real-lift Dream House and more. With plenty more films based on Mattel toys on the way, the Barbie film was just the beginning!
WATCH: Barbie the movie teaser trailer:
What else has been Ncuti Gatwa been in?
Ncuti has been in a number of TV shows, films and stage performances. Sex Education was his first major role, but he has also appeared in TV series Stonemouth and Bob Servant. Following the fourth season of Sex Education dropping, his next major role was playing the 14th Doctor in Doctor Who.
On the big screen, Ncuti has played Timidius in Horrible Histories: The Movie – Rotten Romans, and Nick in The Last Letter from Your Lover. And, of course, he appeared in the epic Barbie movie.
You can even catch him lending his vocal talents to Jade Thirlwall's solo track 'Midnight Cowboy', which the former Little Mix singer released as a 'gift to fans', on 25th September 2024, before the release of her second solo single. Ncuti and Jade teased the track just days before the release, when them sharing a video together playing a snippet of the song.
Where is Ncuti Gatwa from?
Ncuti was born in Nyarugenge, Kigali, Rwanda, but he moved with his parents to Scotland in 1994. The family lived in Edinburgh and Dunfermline, before Ncuti went to Glasgow to study at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, graduating in 2013.
How tall is he?
According to various websites, Ncuti Gatwa's height is anything between 5ft 7in and 5ft 9in, Wikipedia says he is 5ft 8in.
What is Ncuti Gatwa's real name?
Ncuti Gatwa's real name is actually Mizero Ncuti Gatwa, but he prefers to use his middle name.
How to pronounce Ncuti Gatwa
Ncuti is pronounced 'Shoo-ti', and Gatwa is pronounced as it looks 'Gat-wa'.
How old is Ncuti?
Ncuti Gatwa was born on 15th October 1992, making him 32-years-old at the time of writing.
How to follow Ncuti Gatwa on social media
Instagram: @ncutigatwa
Ncuti is not on Twitter or Facebook.
Here are all of the relationships in Sex Education explained:
Maeve and Otis
Starting with the basics, you can't be a fan of the show and not know that there are some serious sparks between main characters Maeve and Otis - in fact, the whole show is kind of built around it. From meeting in series one and starting up the sex clinic, the pair's friendship quickly blossomed into romantic feelings for one another.
Despite having clear feelings for one another, series one and two see various obstacles thrown at the pair, from Maeve beginning to date Jackson, to Otis beginning to date Ola. Although both of those relationships broke down, we saw people such as Isaac (aka the boy who deleted THE voicemail) and Ruby (who Otis begins sleeping with) hinder the pair getting together.
As fans will know, series three seemed slightly more promising for the pair. Despite Otis dating popular girl Ruby for a while, this relationship breaks down and we FINALLY see Otis and Maeve tell each other how they really feel. Despite the pair sharing a kiss, and things looking on the up for their relationship, their close romance was soon cut short when Maeve decided to attend a programme in America.
Season four was the pair continue with a long-distance relationship. Exchanging some saucy text messages, we soon saw Otis and Maeve begin to struggle with the distance, resulting in many arguments. Things got more complicated when Ruby and Otis struck up their friendship again, with a certain sleepover causing more problems between him and Maeve, who returned back to England. As the season - and whole show - came to an end, we saw Otis and Maeve patch things up, and appear stronger than ever, however after Maeve decided to return to America, the pair declared their love for one another but did decide to end their relationship.
Otis and Ola
In season one, things began to look good for Otis in the romance department when he met Ola. The daughter of handy-man Jakob (don't worry, we'll get to him), the friendship between the two quickly turns romantic, with the pair sharing a kiss, and later… More.
During the high school dance, Maeve, who clearly still had feelings for Otis, attempted to make Ola question her connection with him. Ola's doubts were soon made worse, when Otis used some pretty questionable metaphors in an attempt to comfort her - placing Maeve at the top of the food chain as a lion, and Ola a little further along as a simple house cat. Nice…
Despite forgiving Otis for his backhanded insult, Ola breaks up with Otis and soon realises that she is pansexual and has feelings for Lily Igleheart.
Meave and Jackson
A short but sweet tale. In season one of the show, we saw Maeve and Jackson's relationship develop from purely physical, to emotional. Jackson wins over Maeve through a series of grand gestures, as well as enlisting Otis' help in order to find out what makes Maeve tick.
Despite what seems to be a lovely relationship, things seem to turn south when Maeve feels intimidated upon meeting his mums. The boat is rocked further when Maeve finds out that Jackson has used Otis' help to woo her - it also didn't help that she found this out due to Jackson being incredibly drunk.
Jackson catches on that Maeve may have feelings for Otis, and by the end of the first season, we see this budding relationship come to an end.
Otis and Ruby
A relationship we didn't quite see coming, but we're certainly not mad at! Dividing a dedicated audience, season two ended with 'relations' blossoming between Otis and lead popular mean girl Ruby Matthews at a house party. At the beginning of season three, we see that the pair are still seeing one another, however it is being kept a secret by both of them.
As the series unfolds, a frustrated Otis decides to present Ruby with an ultimatum, telling her that unless they go public with the relationship, they are done (or… Over). Despite being initially reluctant, Ruby decides to go public with her romance with Otis, even taking the liberty of giving him a makeover (thankfully, the outfits don't last for long). Ruby even takes Otis home and introduces him to her dad - something that she has never done before, even with her pals.
Sadly, trouble brews in paradise when Ruby gushes to Otis those big three words… "I love you". When Otis tells her "that's nice", and evidently doesn't say it back, some-what permanent ructions are made between the two, ultimately leading to them breaking up.
By season four, the pair aren't exactly on speaking terms, especially given Otis is now in a long-distance relationship with Maeve. Despite this, we see his and Ruby's friendship spark up again as she manages his campaign to be collage's one and only sex therapist. After accidentally falling asleep at Ruby's, it's clear she still has feelings for Otis, and given his rocky patch with Maeve fans were convinced we might have seen the pair get their romance back up and running. This, however, didn't happen, and the pair ended the season as friends.
Jackson and Cal
Jackson then met Cal in season three. The pair quickly became friends, and hung out frequently to smoke. The pair opened up with one another, with Jackson discussing his anxiety, and Cal revealing they identified as non-binary and spoke about their gender identity. Through this time, Jackson began to develop feelings for Cal, and the pair even shared the odd kiss or two, until Cal got nervous and questioned Jackson on whether he'd be happy in a queer relationship. Due to sharing different opinions, their romance pretty much ended there.
Ola and Lily
After breaking up with Otis, Ola realises that she in pansexual and has been suppressing feelings for her friend Lily Igleheart. As the pair grow closer, Ola kisses Lily, who at first is initially rejected. Lily, however, later realises that the feeling is mutual and they begin dating.
As we begin season three, we see the pair enjoying a successful relationship together, including some pretty raunchy alien costumes. Sadly, they hit a rocky patch when Ola tells Lily that she's not as into the alien fantasies as she initially made out to be, causing Lily to become embarrassed. Not to worry though, the pair patch things up and everything is peachy keen between them by the end of the season.
Despite getting off to a slow start, and going through a rocky patch in season three, Ola and Lily are one of the few couples to make it to the end of the series (so far) still in a relationship.
Maeve and Isaac
Isaac got off to a pretty rocky start with Sex Education fans, with the season two new-boy serving as another obstacle preventing Maeve and Otis from being together. Of course, not to mention THAT voicemail…
Isaac and Maeve met when he moved into the same caravan park as her, with his quick-wit and humour catching her attention. As their friendship begins to blossom, there is clear tension between Isaac and Maeve's bestie Otis. When Otis realises his true feelings for Maeve, he leaves her a touching voicemail and heads to her caravan to speak with her. With Maeve not yet home, Otis is met with Isaac, who proves to be the least helpful messenger on the planet - not only FAILING to pass Otis' message on, but also deleting the all-important voicemail. Tut tut.
In season three, Isaac and Maeve grow closer, inevitably developing a romantic connection. Isaac confesses his sins, and Maeve soon forgives him. As their relationship becomes a little more serious, things become complicated when Maeve and Otis kiss, after he PERFECTLY recites to her the voicemail he left all those months back. Isaac and Maeve's relationship subsequently breaks down, sadly.
Amy and Isaac
Another romance we didn't see coming! In the fourth and final season, we see Amy exploring her artistic skills in order to help her deal with her trauma. Also interested in art is none other than Isaac - Maeve's former flame. Despite getting their friendship off to a rocky start, Amy and Isaac become close, and it's clear that the pair begin having feelings for each other. Staying loyal to her bestie Maeve, Amy shakes it off, however eventually opens up and confesses to Maeve that she likes Isaac. After getting her friend's blessing, Amy and Isaac explore their romantic connection.
Eric and Rahim
Ahh, Eric and Rahim. Season two of Sex Education saw the arrival of handsome French boy Rahim, who caught the attention of pretty much everyone at Moordale High. Rahim, however, clearly only had eyes for Eric. After complimenting Eric's scarf, Rahim soon asked him out on a date, and the pair were pretty smitten from there on.
Sadly for Rahim, his bo's eyes began to stray when Adam, a bully-turned-love interest for Eric, returned from Military Camp. At the end of the season, Adam confesses his love to Eric during the school play, and heartbreakingly for Rahim, who is sat in the audience, Eric reciprocates. Sadly, Eric and Rahim break up.
In season three, Adam and Eric become an official couple, with Rahim requesting all of his books and poems back from his ex, admitting he destroyed all of Eric's gifts in a small, controlled fire. As the season goes on, we see Rahim and Adam develop a some-what friendship with one another, but this didn't seem to go anywhere as Rahim didn't appear in season four.
Eric and Adam
We think it's fair to say that Eric and Adam's relationship got off to a rocky start. After years of Adam relentlessly bullying Eric, it becomes apparent that he is struggling with his sexuality and in fact has feelings for his bullying victim. While cooked up in detention with each other, the pair start getting pretty intimate. Sadly, before they can make sense of what had happened between them, Adam is sent away to Military Camp.
In season two, Eric begins dating new boy Rahim (see above), much to Adam's dismay when he returns from camp. As you can see from above, Eric can't fight his love for Adam, and the pair end up together.
As season three rolls around, things are peachy keen for Adam and Eric, who seem madly in love and we were OBSESSED. Shockingly (warning, spoilers), Eric ends up cheating on Adam while in Nigeria with his family. He confesses his sins upon his return to Moordale, leaving Adam (and us, for that matter) heartbroken.
With the pair broken up in season four, it is clear that Adam still has lingering feelings for Eric. The pair cross paths again as they attend Maeve's mum's funeral, with Eric being a source of comfort for Adam as he discusses coming out. Despite this, we don't see the pair get back together, and we see Adam meet somebody new - don't worry, we'll get there!
Eric and Oba
It pains us to even write about this one. A short but not-so-sweet affair (literally), Eric met photographer Oba whilst visiting Nigeria with his family. When Oba took Eric to a gay club, where the pair could relax and be themselves, the night out took a turn when the pair kissed. Eric later finds himself waking up in Oba's bed.
Overwhelmed with guilt, Eric confesses his actions to Adam once he gets back home. We'd be lying if we said we didn't shed a tear when we saw a broken-hearted Adam deal with Eric's betrayal.
We're sensing a pattern here, Eric...
Adam and Jem
Season four saw the introduction of Jem, who is the instructor at the stables Adam has bagged an apprenticeship at. The pair struck up a bond pretty quickly, with Jem helping Adam teach horse riding classes on his own, and supporting him at the stables despite him having no prior experience - or a driving licence, which, as you would think, it kind of necessary when driving tractors. Towards the end of the season, Adam comes out as bisexual to Jem, and she goes on to ask him out on a date.
Jean and Jakob
Jean and Jakob met early on in season one of Sex Education. Jakob is a handy-man, and when Jean called him round due to a burst pipe, it was clear that there was instant chemistry between them. Things got a little complicated as their relationship began to become physical, due to Jakob being Otis' then-girlfriend Ola's father, but that's a whole other story…
Jean and Jakob begin a relationship with one another, however his slobbish ways begin to irritate his sex therapist girlfriend. Things then get a little messy, when Otis' father, and Jeans ex, Remi turns up. Jakob begins to feel intimidated, and despite trying to win over her affections, Jean sadly cheats on the Swedish handy-man with her cheating ex (who, yes, is cheating on his new wife with Jean).
In the season two finale, Jean finds out that she is pregnant with who she thinks is Jakob's baby (despite him previously having had a vasectomy). As we enter season three, we see a heavily pregnant Jean EVENTUALLY confess to Jakob that she is expecting their first child. Jakob and Ola move into the Milburn's home (awks), and the dad-again-to-be begins to doubt whether or not he is the real father.
Of course, in THAT season three finale, we see Jean look a little unsettled with the paternity test results. It turns out that Jakob is not the father, and sadly season three is the last we see of him.
Jean and Remi
Remi's appearance on the show is pretty minimal to be honest, and it looks like the same can be said for his presence in Otis' life. But, boy, do his stints on the show have an impact…
Ex-husband Remi wants to collaborate with Jean on a book based on her experiences at school, however Jean is reluctant, and tells Remi's agent that he is a "colossal tw-t." Despite not liking her ex much at all, Jean is wooed by Remi during season two and the pair end up sleeping together, despite Remi having a wife, and Jean being in a relationship with Jakob. The romance (can we call it that?) didn't last long, with Remi soon leaving.
After the finale of season three, fans thought they might see his face pop up soon, given Jean's reaction to her new baby's paternity test. This, however, wasn't the case, and we didn't see him appear in season four - with Jean confessing in the final season that a man called Dan is the father.
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