Cliff Notes – Ncuti Gatwa heavily teases he ‘might’ return to Doctor Who
- Ncuti Gatwa hinted at a potential return to Doctor Who during an appearance on The One Show, expressing regret over not battling iconic villains like Daleks and Cybermen.
- Despite his departure after two seasons, Gatwa reflected on the demanding nature of the role, stating it was time to step back due to physical and emotional fatigue.
- The future of Doctor Who remains uncertain, but reports indicate that showrunner Russell T Davies has plans for upcoming seasons, suggesting the series will continue regardless of Disney’s involvement.
Ncuti Gatwa heavily teases he ‘might’ return to Doctor Who
Ncuti Gatwa just dropped an almighty tease about a possible return to Doctor Who after his swift two-season run as the main man.
The Sex Education actor, 32, stepped into the role in 2023, but after just 18 months departed amid low viewing figures and a lack of hype surrounding the series.
At the time, Ncuti explained he walked away from the iconic role because he was ‘getting old’.
He continued, talking to Laura Kuenssberg: ‘My body was tired. It takes a lot out of you. Physically, emotionally, mentally. It was time.’
But the road might not be over just yet.
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On tonight’s episode of The One Show, when quizzed by Alex Jones about his regret of never having fought a Dalek or Cyberman – Doctor Who’s most iconic villains – he responded with what appeared to be a tease.
‘I never got to fight a Dalek or a Cyberman. Just the crux of Doctor Who. Yeah, so… Might do that… Might go fight a Dalek,’ he said, before Jamie Lee Curtis erupted on the sofa next to him, and joked the BBC magazine show was giving them ‘truth serum’ instead of water.
‘I know!’ Ncuti exclaimed, before taking a drink of water.
Ncuti was only the Doctor for two seasons (Picture: James Pardon/Bad Wolf/BBC Studios)
In the final episode of Doctor Who, aired on May 31 by Disney and BBC, saw Ncuti ‘regenerate’ into an unexpected form, as is tradition with the show when a new Doctor replaces another.
This time, though, the 15th doctor regenerated into Billie Piper, who played the Doctor’s assistant Rose Tyler between 2005 and 2010 alongide David Tennent.
Whether she is the 16th Doctor remains to be seen.
In a press release after the regeneration, the BBC said: ‘Just how and why she [Billie Piper] is back remains to be seen…’
Billie said fans would have to ‘wait and see’ what she does next .
Many fans noted that in the credits for the last episode The Reality War, where Billie made the unexpected return, she was not credited as the Doctor as in all other cases, but simply: ‘Introducing Billie Piper.’
It seems Billie might be returning in a smaller capacity, as in an interview with The Independent in 2024, she previously explained: ‘I wouldn’t go back as a full-time thing, but I’d love to make another appearance.’
Meanwhile, in a statement announcing his departure, Ncuti – who is the first Doctor since Christopher Eccleston to act in fewer than three seasons – said: ‘You know when you get cast, at some point you are going to have to hand back that sonic screwdriver and it is all going to come to an end, but nothing quite prepares you for it.’
He added: ‘There are no words to describe what it feels like to be cast as the Doctor, nor are there words to explain what it feels like to be accepted into this iconic role that has existed for over 60 years and is truly loved by so many across the globe.’
Ncuti made the tease on tonight’s The One Show (Picture: The One Show/BBC)
Gatwa thanked fans for making it a ‘touching experience’, adding: ‘I’ve loved every minute of it, but now is the time to hand over the keys to that beloved blue box and let someone else take control and enjoy it every bit as much as I have.
‘I’ll truly miss it, and forever be grateful to it, and everyone that has played a part in my journey as the Doctor.’
Ncuti’s desire to fight a Dalek has been well-documented over the years, as he told Entertainment Weekly early doors: ‘What on earth would be the point of me being Doctor Who if I never fight the Daleks?’
Despite this, the bubble-wrapped bin villains never showed up on screen during his tenure, and neither did Cybermen and the Master.
While the next series of Doctor Who hasn’t officially been confirmed, it’s been reported the BBC will continue the series regardless of whether Disney are up for future collaborations or not.
This came after rumours Disney could be withdrawing its partnership due to poor viewing figures.
However, Doctor Who fans will be pleased to hear The Mirror reported a few months ago that showrunner Russell T Davies has planned the next two seasons, with scripts for season 16 almost finished and the 17th season in the works.
So perhaps Ncuti really does know something we don’t…
The One Show airs every weekday at 7pm.
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