Media: https://media3.giphy.com/media/v1.Y2lkPTcyYTQ4YTRmMzR4MG4ydWR4ZjA4ZThhNmY2dDlrNWRheDEwdGIzNDgxc2Z6aGx0YSZlcD12MV9naWZzX3NlYXJjaCZjdD1n/clFEjo13n9abC/giphy.gifTitle: Ncuti Gatwa’s Bold Departure as Doctor Who Marks a New Era in Sci-Fi Television
Ncuti Gatwa’s brief yet impactful stint as the mercurial Time Lord on the British series, Doctor Who, came to an end last Saturday. His portrayal of the Fifteenth Doctor marked a significant departure from the show’s previous trajectory and represented a much-needed breath of fresh air for fans who had been eagerly waiting for something new.
Gatwa’s casting as the first Black actor, the first openly queer actor, and the first African-born actor to play the Doctor was groundbreaking in itself. This not only brought diversity to the iconic role but also signaled a shift towards more inclusive representation on television. Gatwa is Rwandan-Scottish, making him the fourth Scottish actor to portray the Doctor since its inception.
The return of showrunner Russell T. Davies added another layer of excitement for fans who had been eagerly awaiting his second stint with the series after initially reviving it back in 2005 and leaving in 2010. Under Davies’ guidance, Gatwa’s run on Doctor Who saw a shift towards pure fantasy elements, including tangling with actual gods played by actors like Neil Patrick Harris and Jinkx Monsoon.
While some viewers may have been taken aback by this departure from the show’s traditional sci-fi roots, others welcomed it as an opportunity to explore new storylines and themes within the Doctor Who universe. This shift towards fantasy elements also allowed for a more open embrace of religion and superstition, which had previously been treated with skepticism or outright dismissal by previous incarnations of the character.
One aspect that cannot be overlooked is Gatwa’s portrayal of Doctor Who as an unapologetically queer character. His flirtatious charisma and ability to charm both humans and time-traveling bounty hunters alike (played by Jonathan Groff) resonated with audiences who had been craving more representation in the world of science fiction television.
In conclusion, Ncuti Gatwa’s tenure as Doctor Who marked a significant departure from the show’s previous trajectory and signaled a new era for sci-fi television. His casting brought much-needed diversity to the role while also embracing themes of fantasy, religion, and queerness that had previously been underrepresented or dismissed in favor of more traditional storylines. As we look forward to future seasons of Doctor Who, it is clear that Gatwa’s impact will continue to be felt for years to come.
Source: [Original Article](https://www.npr.org/2025/06/07/nx-s1-5423482/doctor-who-ncuti-gatwa) #’doctor
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