Doctor Who's River Song Actor Dishes on Ncuti Gatwa's Epic New Era

Summary

Alex Kingston advises Ncuti Gatwa to cherish his privacy now because his life will never be the same after becoming the Fifteenth Doctor in Doctor Who season 14.

Gatwa is already widely recognized for his performances in the popular TV show Sex Education and the commercially successful film Barbie.

Doctor Who has the potential to significantly elevate Gatwa's career, just like it did for previous actors such as David Tennant and Matt Smith, who continue to be renowned for their Doctor roles and have garnered substantial attention.

Former Doctor Who actor Alex Kingston has shared her thoughts on the upcoming Time Lord, Ncuti Gatwa, who will be playing the Fifteenth Doctor in the upcoming season 14 of the show. Kingston, known for her role as River Song in Doctor Who, spoke with RadioTimes and offered heartfelt advice to Gatwa. She acknowledged the rewards that come with portraying the iconic character but cautioned him about the newfound recognition and fame that will follow. Kingston advised Gatwa to appreciate the privacy he currently has because life will be forever changed.

While the rewards and opportunities that will accompany your impressive performance are sure to be extraordinary, it is important to appreciate and cherish the unique privacy you currently enjoy as one among many in a crowd. Once that is gone, it can never be regained.

The same sentiment applies to Ncuti, who is already recognized for his television work. However, this new endeavor is something entirely distinct and exceptional. The immense global reach of Doctor Who presents a magnificent and transformative journey, but it is undeniable that Ncuti's life will undergo permanent change.

Alex Kingston Is Right — Doctor Who Will Change Gatwa’s Career

Kingston mentions that Gatwa is well-known for his TV work, indicating that he is not an unfamiliar face. Gatwa is recognized for his role as Eric Effiong, an energetic best friend in the Netflix show Sex Education, which recently premiered its final season. Sex Education is one of the most popular shows on Netflix, making Gatwa easily identifiable for his performance. Additionally, Gatwa made an appearance in the commercially successful movie Barbie this year.

However, Doctor Who has the potential to significantly impact Gatwa's career, as it did for both Smith and Tennant. The role of Doctor Who was instrumental in raising their profiles as actors. Currently, Smith stars in the renowned Game of Thrones spinoff series House of the Dragon, while Tennant has taken on multiple roles, including a notable one in BBC's popular miniseries Broadchurch, which also featured the future Time Lord, Jodie Whittaker.

Tennant and Smith are still strongly linked to their Doctor Who experiences, despite their other roles. With a dedicated fan base, they inevitably receive a significant amount of attention wherever they go. This attention can greatly benefit Gatwa, as it may lead to more acting opportunities following his portrayal of the Time Lord. As Gatwa's debut on Doctor Who draws near, he can relish in his remaining moments of "privacy" and relaxation, as described by Kingston.