Latest news with #15thDoctor
Daily Record
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
Doctor Who star Ncuti Gatwa breaks silence on exit and Eurovision controversy
Ncuti Gatwa has opened up on his decision to quit Doctor Who after two years and two series, as he also opened up on his decision not to represent the UK at Eurovision. Doctor Who star Ncuti Gatwa revealed the real reason for his exit from the long-running BBC series. He admitted it was because "I'm getting old and my body was tired". The 32-year-old Scots actor, who shot to fame as Eric Effiong in Netflix's Sex Education, embodied the role of the famous time lord across two series following his debut in a 60th anniversary special alongside the 10th and 14th versions of the Doctor, David Tennant. During his farewell episode as the 15th Doctor back in May earlier this year, he appeared to be replaced by former Doctor Who companion Billie Piper when his character underwent regeneration, as reported by the Manchester Evening News. Speaking to the BBC 's Sunday With Laura Kuenssberg programme, Ncuti explained: "I'm getting old, and my body was tired... and I've now just started doing some ballet, so I'm making really great decisions. "It's the most amazing job in the world, a job that any actor would dream of and – because it's so good – it's strenuous. It takes a lot out of you, physically, emotionally, mentally, and so it was time." When questioned about a potential return to the programme, he playfully hinted: "Never say never," meaning fans could see him grace the small screen in the role in the future. Ncuti took on the Doctor role after Tennant's Time Lord underwent bi-generation in 2023, following his character's return to the series as the 14th Doctor. Elsewhere, he had been tipped to represent the UK at the Eurovision Song Contest in May but withdrew, with rumours suggesting the move was linked to controversy over Israel's involvement in the competition. "It all panned out very interestingly. I pulled out of it a long time before it was announced," he revealed. "And it was announced when it was announced, I don't know why, but I was just very busy. "Just had a lot of work schedules, a lot of press around The Roses, around Doctor (Who)." When quizzed about the rumours regarding his exit, Ncuti, who didn't tune in to this year's contest, admitted: "I was just very busy." The actor graced the Sunday morning news programme to discuss the West End debut of Born With Teeth, an imaginative play that explores the dynamic between competing dramatists Christopher Marlowe and William Shakespeare. Taking on the role of Marlowe alongside his Sex Education co-star Edward Bluemel as Shakespeare, he will feature in the Royal Shakespeare Company's production at London's Wyndham's Theatre starting later this year in August. "It's a really great story between these two huge literary icons, and it's very exciting to imagine what could have happened in a room together," Ncuti remarked.
South Wales Guardian
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- South Wales Guardian
Ncuti Gatwa says he left Doctor Who as ‘I am getting old and my body was tired'
The Rwandan-Scottish actor, 32, whose breakout role was Eric Effiong in Netflix hit Sex Education, played the Time Lord for two series after first appearing in a 60th anniversary special with the 10th and 14th incarnations of the Doctor, David Tennant. In May, during his final episode as the 15th Doctor, Gatwa appeared to be replaced by former Doctor Who companion Billie Piper when his character regenerated. Gatwa told the BBC's Sunday With Laura Kuenssberg programme: 'I'm getting old, and my body was tired… and I've now just started doing some ballet, so I'm making really great decisions. 'It's the most amazing job in the world, a job that any actor would dream of and – because it's so good – it's strenuous. 'It takes a lot out of you, physically, emotionally, mentally, and so it was time.' Asked if he would ever come back to the show, he said: 'Never say never.' Barbie star Gatwa has played the Doctor since Tennant's Time Lord bi-generated in 2023, after his version of the alien character was brought back to the series as the 14th Doctor. Gatwa was expected to be the UK's spokesperson at the Eurovision Song Contest in May but pulled out, with speculation the decision was connected to controversy surrounding Israel's participation in the competition. 'It all panned out very interestingly. I pulled out of it a long time before it was announced', he said. 'And it was announced when it was announced, I don't know why, but I was just very busy. 'Just had a lot of work schedules, a lot of press around The Roses, around Doctor (Who).' Asked about the speculation surrounding his withdrawal, Gatwa, who did not watch this year's competition, said: 'I was just very busy.' The actor appeared on the Sunday morning news show to discuss the West End premiere of Born With Teeth, a play that re-imagines the relationship between rival playwrights Christopher Marlowe and William Shakespeare. Gatwa plays Marlowe with his Sex Education co-star Edward Bluemel as Shakespeare in the Royal Shakespeare Company production at London's Wyndham's Theatre from August. 'It's a really great story between these two huge literary icons, and it's very exciting to imagine what could have happened in a room together', he said.
North Wales Chronicle
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- North Wales Chronicle
Ncuti Gatwa says he left Doctor Who as ‘I am getting old and my body was tired'
The Rwandan-Scottish actor, 32, whose breakout role was Eric Effiong in Netflix hit Sex Education, played the Time Lord for two series after first appearing in a 60th anniversary special with the 10th and 14th incarnations of the Doctor, David Tennant. In May, during his final episode as the 15th Doctor, Gatwa appeared to be replaced by former Doctor Who companion Billie Piper when his character regenerated. Gatwa told the BBC's Sunday With Laura Kuenssberg programme: 'I'm getting old, and my body was tired… and I've now just started doing some ballet, so I'm making really great decisions. 'It's the most amazing job in the world, a job that any actor would dream of and – because it's so good – it's strenuous. 'It takes a lot out of you, physically, emotionally, mentally, and so it was time.' Asked if he would ever come back to the show, he said: 'Never say never.' Barbie star Gatwa has played the Doctor since Tennant's Time Lord bi-generated in 2023, after his version of the alien character was brought back to the series as the 14th Doctor. Gatwa was expected to be the UK's spokesperson at the Eurovision Song Contest in May but pulled out, with speculation the decision was connected to controversy surrounding Israel's participation in the competition. 'It all panned out very interestingly. I pulled out of it a long time before it was announced', he said. 'And it was announced when it was announced, I don't know why, but I was just very busy. 'Just had a lot of work schedules, a lot of press around The Roses, around Doctor (Who).' Asked about the speculation surrounding his withdrawal, Gatwa, who did not watch this year's competition, said: 'I was just very busy.' The actor appeared on the Sunday morning news show to discuss the West End premiere of Born With Teeth, a play that re-imagines the relationship between rival playwrights Christopher Marlowe and William Shakespeare. Gatwa plays Marlowe with his Sex Education co-star Edward Bluemel as Shakespeare in the Royal Shakespeare Company production at London's Wyndham's Theatre from August. 'It's a really great story between these two huge literary icons, and it's very exciting to imagine what could have happened in a room together', he said.
Leader Live
13-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Leader Live
Ncuti Gatwa says he left Doctor Who as ‘I am getting old and my body was tired'
The Rwandan-Scottish actor, 32, whose breakout role was Eric Effiong in Netflix hit Sex Education, played the Time Lord for two series after first appearing in a 60th anniversary special with the 10th and 14th incarnations of the Doctor, David Tennant. In May, during his final episode as the 15th Doctor, Gatwa appeared to be replaced by former Doctor Who companion Billie Piper when his character regenerated. Gatwa told the BBC's Sunday With Laura Kuenssberg programme: 'I'm getting old, and my body was tired… and I've now just started doing some ballet, so I'm making really great decisions. 'It's the most amazing job in the world, a job that any actor would dream of and – because it's so good – it's strenuous. 'It takes a lot out of you, physically, emotionally, mentally, and so it was time.' Asked if he would ever come back to the show, he said: 'Never say never.' Barbie star Gatwa has played the Doctor since Tennant's Time Lord bi-generated in 2023, after his version of the alien character was brought back to the series as the 14th Doctor. Gatwa was expected to be the UK's spokesperson at the Eurovision Song Contest in May but pulled out, with speculation the decision was connected to controversy surrounding Israel's participation in the competition. 'It all panned out very interestingly. I pulled out of it a long time before it was announced', he said. 'And it was announced when it was announced, I don't know why, but I was just very busy. 'Just had a lot of work schedules, a lot of press around The Roses, around Doctor (Who).' Asked about the speculation surrounding his withdrawal, Gatwa, who did not watch this year's competition, said: 'I was just very busy.' The actor appeared on the Sunday morning news show to discuss the West End premiere of Born With Teeth, a play that re-imagines the relationship between rival playwrights Christopher Marlowe and William Shakespeare. Gatwa plays Marlowe with his Sex Education co-star Edward Bluemel as Shakespeare in the Royal Shakespeare Company production at London's Wyndham's Theatre from August. 'It's a really great story between these two huge literary icons, and it's very exciting to imagine what could have happened in a room together', he said.
Rhyl Journal
13-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Rhyl Journal
Ncuti Gatwa says he left Doctor Who as ‘I am getting old and my body was tired'
The Rwandan-Scottish actor, 32, whose breakout role was Eric Effiong in Netflix hit Sex Education, played the Time Lord for two series after first appearing in a 60th anniversary special with the 10th and 14th incarnations of the Doctor, David Tennant. In May, during his final episode as the 15th Doctor, Gatwa appeared to be replaced by former Doctor Who companion Billie Piper when his character regenerated. Gatwa told the BBC's Sunday With Laura Kuenssberg programme: 'I'm getting old, and my body was tired… and I've now just started doing some ballet, so I'm making really great decisions. 'It's the most amazing job in the world, a job that any actor would dream of and – because it's so good – it's strenuous. 'It takes a lot out of you, physically, emotionally, mentally, and so it was time.' Asked if he would ever come back to the show, he said: 'Never say never.' Barbie star Gatwa has played the Doctor since Tennant's Time Lord bi-generated in 2023, after his version of the alien character was brought back to the series as the 14th Doctor. Gatwa was expected to be the UK's spokesperson at the Eurovision Song Contest in May but pulled out, with speculation the decision was connected to controversy surrounding Israel's participation in the competition. 'It all panned out very interestingly. I pulled out of it a long time before it was announced', he said. 'And it was announced when it was announced, I don't know why, but I was just very busy. 'Just had a lot of work schedules, a lot of press around The Roses, around Doctor (Who).' Asked about the speculation surrounding his withdrawal, Gatwa, who did not watch this year's competition, said: 'I was just very busy.' The actor appeared on the Sunday morning news show to discuss the West End premiere of Born With Teeth, a play that re-imagines the relationship between rival playwrights Christopher Marlowe and William Shakespeare. Gatwa plays Marlowe with his Sex Education co-star Edward Bluemel as Shakespeare in the Royal Shakespeare Company production at London's Wyndham's Theatre from August. 'It's a really great story between these two huge literary icons, and it's very exciting to imagine what could have happened in a room together', he said.
