who is ncuti gatwa celebrity crush?

The Doctor is in! As Jodie Whittaker prepares to exit the time-traveling arena of Doctor Who, a new time lord in Ncuti Gatwa is waiting in the wings.

“There aren’t quite the words to describe how I’m feeling. A mix of deeply honored, beyond excited and of course a little bit scared,” the Sex Education alum, 29, gushed in a Sunday, May 8, statement via the Doctor Who official website. “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 endeavor my upmost to do the same.”

He continued: “[Returning showrunner] 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’s metaphorical playground. The entire team have been so welcoming and truly give their hearts to the show. … Unlike the Doctor, I may only have one heart, but I am giving it all to this show.”

Gatwa takes over the Doctor Who mantle from Whittaker, who portrayed the 13th Doctor for three seasons on the BBC hit. The Broadchurch alum will leave the series along with showrunner Chris Chibnall, who will hand the reins back to Davies. The Queer as Folk creator helped relaunch the show in 2005 and departed in 2010.

“In 2017, I opened my glorious gift box of size 13 shoes. I could not have guessed the brilliant adventures, worlds and wonders I was to see in them,” the English actress, 39, confirmed her series exit in July 2021 in a BBC statement. “I will carry the Doctor and the lessons I’ve learnt forever.”

She added: “My heart is so full of love for this show, for the team who make it, for the fans who watch it and for what it has brought to my life. I cannot thank Chris [Chibnall] enough for entrusting me with his incredible stories. We knew that we wanted to ride this wave side by side and pass on the baton together. So here we are, weeks away from wrapping on the best job I have ever had.”

The British series initially aired between 1963 and 1989 before being revived in 2005. On the show, the Doctor explores the universe via a time-traveling spaceship, otherwise known as a TARDIS. The Black Mirror alum — who became the first female Doctor during her show tenure — took over from predecessor Peter Capaldi. Prior to that, the show launched the careers of Matt Smith and David Tennant, who played the 11th and 10th versions of the time lord, respectively.

Gatwa, for his part, and the BBC America team are ready to shake up the beloved sci-fi series with the new casting.

Ncuti Gatwa, who plays Eric on Netflix show Sex Education, has been announced as the new star of Doctor Who.

Gatwa will become the first Black actor to play the Doctor full-time, after Jo Martin's appearances as the Fugitive Doctor in recent years.

Read more: Review of Doctor Who special Legend of the Sea Devils

On Sunday afternoon, Gatwa and new Doctor Who boss Russell T. Davies both shared an image featuring a pair of heart emojis and a blue square, representing the Time Lord's two hearts and TARDIS.

Returning showrunner Davies commented on Gatwa's post with the words "the future is here" before sharing it himself.

The BBC has now issued a formal announcement, confirming that Gatwa will take over when Jodie Whittaker relinquishes the keys to the TARDIS later this year.

Gatwa has previously been best known for his standout performances as Eric — the best friend of Asa Butterfield's protagonist in the Netflix series Sex Education.

Read more: Ncuti Gatwa stars in Sex Education season three

Reacting to his Doctor Who casting, Gatwa said: "There aren’t quite the words to describe how I’m 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 upmost 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’s metaphorical playground.

"The entire team have been so welcoming and truly give their hearts to the show. And so as much as it’s daunting, I’m aware I’m joining a really supportive family. Unlike the Doctor, I may only have one heart but I am giving it all to this show.”

Read more: Chris Chibnall almost quit Doctor Who during pandemic

Davies added that Gatwa will be "so bright and bold and brilliant" when he takes over the role, becoming the 14th Doctor.

He said: "Ncuti dazzled us, seized hold of the Doctor and owned those TARDIS keys in seconds. It’s an honour to work with him, and a hoot, I can’t wait to get started."

Jodie Whittaker is set to wave farewell to Doctor Who later this year, with a final episode around the BBC's centenary celebrations during which fans will see her regeneration scene.

Whittaker took on the role in 2017 and has spent three seasons as the Doctor, overseen by showrunner Chris Chibnall, who will depart alongside her.

Read more: Doctor Who producer teases "feature-length epic" for Whittaker finale

Gatwa's casting brings an end to months of speculation as to who could follow Whittaker, with It's a Sin actor Olly Alexander a frequent target of casting rumours.