The regenerating Time Lord has encountered some trials and tribulations in Doctor Who, and just in time for the 60th anniversary, newcomer Ncuti Gatwa has shared how this connects him to his new character on a personal level.

After only 32 episodes as the 13th Doctor Who, Jodie Whittaker is officially handing the reins to Gatwa. Prior Doctors have had shorter tenures, such as the underrated Christopher Eccleston when Doctor Who was first rebooted in 2005. But Whittaker’s retirement is ushering in a different era in the decades-long franchise.

Gatwa not only brings more representation into the sci-fi series, but his casting also adds a personal touch to Doctor Who’s character. It has long been established in canon that the time traveler is the sole survivor of genocide against their people. And though that has been retconned in recent years, the Doctor’s specific experience resonates with the new actor. “This person survived a genocide. This person fits in everywhere and nowhere,” Gatwa explained to Rolling Stone UK. “I am the Doctor. The Doctor is me. I decided that I had to get this role.”

Like the Doctor, Gatwa had experienced being displaced from his home. He and his family escaped during the Rwandan civil war that targeted the Tutsi in the ’90s. They settled in Scotland, which Gatwa considers his home, but his remaining feelings of being an outsider made the role of the Doctor appealing. The Doctor cannot return to their home and will never see their people again. He spends his time traveling time and space, making things better for other people.

In an uncertain world, the Doctor is a beacon of hope. In light of his previous show Sex Education ending, this is undoubtedly an appeal to Gatwa. The British comedy series puts a fine point about how teenagers talk about sexuality in the real world, which comes with painful conversations and sometimes prejudice. Being cast in Doctor Who allows Gatwa to explore resonant and emotional themes, but it also takes place in a universe where conflicts usually have a happy ending.

There is no doubt that Doctor Who has featured some harrowing subject material. In addition to genocide, there have been many times when Doctor Who has lost on the show. But it can be argued that Gatwa’s sensitivity to the Doctor’s character may make him the best regeneration yet. David Tennant and Matt Smith fans may be quick to disagree, but viewers won’t know for sure until Gatwa makes his debut on the 60th-anniversary episode. As Doctor Who continues to air more seasons, there are more opportunities to bring the show into the 21st century and use the sci-fi genre to tell relevant stories.

Doctor Who season 14 will premiere in 2024.

Source: Rolling Stone UK