Africa
Rwanda
Ncuti Gatwa Set to Leave Doctor Who as Uncertainty Grows
Prince Jean
Mar 1, 2025
Ncuti Gatwa may exit Doctor Who early as he eyes a Hollywood future. Credit:BBC
Rwandan-born actor Ncuti Gatwa, known for making history as the first Black lead in Doctor Who, may be leaving the series sooner than expected.
Gatwa, who gained worldwide fame for his role as Eric Effiong in Sex Education, joined Doctor Who in 2023, replacing Jodie Whittaker.
However, The Sun has reported that he might exit the show after just one season. A source told the outlet:
"Ncuti doesn’t want to stay beyond this year. He has many upcoming projects in Hollywood and plans to move to Los Angeles."
This news has raised concerns about how Doctor Who fans will react and whether it could affect Gatwa’s future in the film industry.
A Historic Yet Challenging Journey
At 32 years old, Gatwa made his Doctor Who debut with 2 to 3 million viewers—lower than his predecessors. Some believe this drop in audience numbers is due to the show’s new direction, which has been a topic of debate.
Reports suggest Gatwa has already filmed his final scenes, marking a major shift in the 60-year-old sci-fi series.
Despite the uncertainty, Gatwa's role in Doctor Who remains historic, just as Jodie Whittaker became the first female Doctor in 2017.
BBC’s Response and Future of Doctor Who
Neither BBC nor Ncuti Gatwa have confirmed these rumors. However, BBC has denied claims that Doctor Who is being canceled.
A BBC spokesperson stated:
“We have always said that the decision on Season 3 will be made after Season 2 airs. The Disney+ deal includes 26 episodes, and half of them haven’t aired yet.”
Despite the speculation, BBC has confirmed that new Doctor Who episodes will premiere on April 12, 2025, airing on BBC One, BBC iPlayer, and Disney+ in other countries.
Gatwa will appear alongside Varada Sethu, Millie Gibson, Rose Ayling-Ellis, Anita Dobson, Christopher Chung, Michelle Greenidge, Jonah Hauer-King, Ruth Madeley, Jemma Redgrave, and Susan Twist.
A Rising Star Beyond Doctor Who
Born in Kigali, Rwanda, on October 15, 1992, Gatwa moved to Scotland with his family during the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.
He became a household name after starring in Netflix’s Sex Education in 2019. His role in Barbie further boosted his global fame, and he also appears in the war drama Masters of the Air.
