Ncuti Gatwa's Stellar Performances Secure Doctor Who's Triumph Over the Capaldi Era

Ncuti Gatwa's significant roles in Barbie and Sex Education can prevent a mistake that hindered the initial season of Peter Capaldi's Doctor Who era. Widely recognized for his portrayal of Eric Effiong in Sex Education, Ncuti Gatwa is set to succeed David Tennant as the Fifteenth Doctor in Doctor Who's 60th anniversary specials. As a result of the immense popularity of the Netflix show, Ncuti Gatwa's casting in Doctor Who has elevated the show's prominence compared to recent years. The curiosity surrounding Gatwa's Doctor Who era will continue to grow in the coming months, especially with his appearance as Ken in the anticipated summer blockbuster Barbie, preceding his takeover of the TARDIS keys in November.

The last instance where an incoming Doctor's reputation preceded them in a similar fashion to Ncuti Gatwa was with Peter Capaldi's casting as the Twelfth Doctor. Capaldi, a cherished British character actor, gained recognition for his initial role as the spirited and innocent Danny Oldsen in the iconic film Local Hero. However, Peter Capaldi's most prominent role just prior to Doctor Who was portraying the terrifying government spin doctor Malcolm Tucker in Armando Iannucci's biting political satire, The Thick of It. Unfortunately, Capaldi's Doctor was excessively influenced by Malcolm Tucker's character rather than Danny Oldsen's, but Ncuti Gatwa's notable roles in movies and TV should enable him to avoid this issue.

Ncuti Gatwa’s Barbie & Sex Education Roles Tease A Fun Doctor

Ncuti Gatwa's portrayal of the Fifteenth Doctor emphasizes a vibrant and humorous personality, which aligns perfectly with the Doctor's characteristic use of wit and humor as a means of tackling danger. In the Netflix series Sex Education, Gatwa showcased his comedic abilities while also demonstrating his ability to portray a guarded and vulnerable side. This skill will be essential in capturing the essence of the Doctor as envisioned by Russell T Davies, whose Doctor Who stories consistently incorporate elements of comedy and humanity.

Christopher Eccleston once acknowledged his struggle with the comedic aspects of RTD's original Doctor Who era. This difficulty stemmed from the Ninth Doctor's trauma from the Time War, which rendered him incapable of fully embodying the lightheartedness of the Classic era Doctor. However, now, 18 years later, with a more energetic and comedic Doctor as the foundation, the story can easily shift tones when necessary, enabling Gatwa to delve into the Doctor's darker aspects and propel the character in exciting new directions.

Peter Capaldi’s Doctor Who Was Overshadowed By His Biggest Role

The initial incarnation of the Twelfth Doctor was abrasive and serious, occasionally revealing vulnerability and genuine humor. It wasn't until the second Christmas special, where he interacted with River Song, that his lighter side truly emerged. It's disappointing that this version of the Doctor, which Peter Capaldi had always wanted to play, didn't manifest sooner. In retrospect, it seems like the writers were channeling Malcolm Tucker, rather than considering Capaldi's lifelong love for Doctor Who. The Twelfth Doctor's impatience and sharp tongue felt more like Tucker than the Doctor, who could display a temper but always had a good heart. By pushing Capaldi's Doctor into a dark corner, the show suffocated the breezier and kinder side of the character, which wanted to showcase the wonders of the universe to Bill Potts in season 10. With Ncuti Gatwa starting from a lighter place, Doctor Who season 14 should avoid falling into this same tonal trap.