Ncuti Gatwa’s rise to fame may have been fairly swift, but the first Black actor to take the lead role inDoctor Whodoes not see a shift in equality happening at any real speed across the industry and beyond. In a brutally honest interview withAttitude, Gatwa shared his strong feelings about the way Black people are still required to over-perform before gaining the same kind of celebration that “White mediocrity” has bestowed upon it.
Gatwa is poised tosee his career reach a new stratosphereas he steps into the TARDIS as the fifteenth iteration of The Doctor in the world’s longest running sci-fi series,Doctor Who. Having already found success in Netflix seriesSex Education, and had roles inMasters of the AirandBarbie, the Rwandan-Scottish actor has managed to climb the ladder of fame quicker than some. But that doesn’t mean he believes that things are now easier for either Black people or members of the LGBTQ+ community.
Doctor Who
Originally premiered in 1963, Doctor Who is a sci-fi series that follows a powerful being known as a Time Lord, referred to as the Doctor. Using an interdimensional time-traveling ship known as the TARDIS, the Doctor travels time and space with various companions as they solve multiple problems and help avert catastrophe as much as they almost cause it. Though the Doctor is always the same character, they experience regenerations, allowing them to be recast every few seasons as a unique immortal being with new personality traits.
During the interview, Gatwa was asked about the backlash he received for being cast as the new lead ofDoctor Who. He said:
“We do see a shift happening in casting, in positions of power and in the status quo. I mean, not a fast shift, things could tip over the other way a little bit quicker. But you see people kind of malfunctioning because things are changing.
“There’s so much White mediocrity that gets celebrated, and Black people, we have to be absolutely flawless to get half of [that] anyway. So, I’m slowly training myself out of that and being like, ‘No sh–. You deserve love just for existing.’”
Gatwa Shared His Thoughts on Trans and Gender Identity Issues
The subject of diversity is never too far away from the headlines, whether that comes from reports involving thelatest comments of J.K. Rowling, a lack of minorities being included in awards categories, or blowback over LGBTQ+-centric TV shows being prematurely canceled. Gatwa addressed the harsh treatment of minority groups within the U.K., noting:
“Everything trickles down from the top, and when you see politicians openly attacking marginalized communities, when you see our politicians openly attacking trans people, it makes it OK for everyone else, and it is scary to see that we’ve got to a point where it is fine to attack vulnerable people because that’s essentially what’s happening. People who are the most vulnerable, the most disenfranchised, most disconnected from everyone else are being told that they are the threats.
“It’s sick because it’s a hiding away of your own ineptitude. You’re going to put the blame on immigrants, Black and Brown people, trans people, queer people, to hide the fact that you are not doing anything for people? It’s easier to just create discord amongst people. It’s divide and conquer, isn’t it? We’ve got to keep pushing for more. Lots and lots and lots and lots more diversity, lots more inclusion on our screen.”
Doctor Who: Why Ncuti Gatwa Is an Excellent Choice as the Fifteeneth Doctor
Through 39 seasons, 60 years, and 13 Doctors, Doctor Who is back in the headlines with the newest Doctor, Ncuti Gatwa.
Gatwa made his debut as The Doctor in the last of David Tennant’s special anniversary episodes ofDoctor Who, before leading the 2023 Christmas episode. His first season in the role kicks off on May 10 on Disney+ in the U.S. and May 11 on BBC One in the U.K.
Gatwa’s breakout role as Eric Effiong inSex Educationcan be streamed on Netflix.
