There aren鈥檛 quite the words to describe how I鈥檓 feeling. A mix of deeply honoured, beyond excited and of course a little bit scared. Unlike the Doctor, I may only have one heart, but I am giving it all to this show.鈥�
Star of stage and screen Ncuti is best known for his critically acclaimed performance in Sex Education as the iconic Eric Effiong, for which he was awarded Best Actor Award at the Scottish BAFTAs in 2020 as well as numerous nominations, including Best Male Performance in a comedy programme at this year鈥檚 BAFTAs.
Speaking of his new role, Ncuti says: 鈥淭here aren鈥檛 quite the words to describe how I鈥檓 feeling. A mix of deeply honoured, beyond excited and of course a little bit scared. This role and show means so much to so many around the world, including myself, and each one of my incredibly talented predecessors has handled that unique responsibility and privilege with the utmost care. I will endeavour my utmost to do the same.
"Russell T Davies is almost as iconic as the Doctor himself and being able to work with him is a dream come true. His writing is dynamic, exciting, incredibly intelligent and fizzing with danger. An actor鈥檚 metaphorical playground. The entire team has been so welcoming and truly give their hearts to the show. And so as much as it鈥檚 daunting, I鈥檓 aware I鈥檓 joining a really supportive family. Unlike the Doctor, I may only have one heart but I am giving it all to this show.鈥�
Russell T Davies, Showrunner, adds: 鈥淭he future is here and it鈥檚 Ncuti! Sometimes talent walks through the door and it鈥檚 so bright and bold and brilliant, I just stand back in awe and thank my lucky stars. Ncuti dazzled us, seized hold of the Doctor and owned those TARDIS keys in seconds. It鈥檚 an honour to work with him, and a hoot, I can鈥檛 wait to get started. I鈥檓 sure you鈥檙e dying to know more, but we鈥檙e rationing ourselves for now, with the wonderful Jodie鈥檚 epic finale yet to come. But I promise you, 2023 will be spectacular!鈥�
Charlotte Moore, Chief Content Officer, says:鈥淣cuti has an incredible dynamism, he鈥檚 a striking and fearless young actor whose talent and energy will set the world alight and take Doctor Who on extraordinary adventures under Russell T Davies鈥� new era."
Further details will be announced in due course.
MO