Peter Capaldi, Jodie Whittaker, David Tennant, and Colin Baker have welcomed Ncuti Gatwa to the best role in the universe
Last week, Blogtor Who collected together the many welcomes and congratulations for Ncuti Gatwa from Doctor Who cast and crew. Leading the tributes then was Eleventh Doctor, and Sex Education fan, Matt Smith who said “There’s a warmth and wit and a real depth to his talent,” adding “honestly, I think it’s an inspired bit of casting, and I’m really, really excited for the show, and I think he’s going to be a cracker.” Since then we’ve learned of more of Gatwa’s predecessors who’ve given the new Fourteenth Doctor their seal of approval.
Speaking to Scottish news site STV News, Peter Capaldi praised the latest of his fellow Scotsman to take up the Doctor Who mantle.
“What a great story – a little boy whose family escaped from the genocide in Rwanda in 1994 and at age two, finds refuge in Scotland, where he grows up to become Doctor Who.
“That’s a story to be proud [of]. With his huge talent and heart, I know Ncuti will make an amazing Doctor. How exciting.” – Peter Capaldi
Colin Baker also took to Twitter during the week to tell Gatwa “Welcome to the surgery!” before predicting “from what we’ve already seen you’re going to have a blast – and so are we! Enjoy!”
Elsewhere, Ncuti Gatwa himself has revealed to his 2.7m followers on Instagram that his immediate predecessor, current Doctor Jodie Whittaker, has reached out to him privately to offer her congratulations and support. As has yet another Scottish Doctor, David Tennant.
“The Doctor herself, Jodie Whittaker and Mr David Tennant for your beautiful words of support and encouragement on BAFTA day,” said the incoming Doctor, “I was absolutely cacking my pants and honestly speaking to you two was priceless.”
Gatwa also thanked Sylvester McCoy for his words of welcome last week.
“Thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you for your beautiful message. It means the absolute world, especially coming from a fellow Scot. I am so looking forward to facing all of those [enemies], especially the last one that you mentioned [the critics].
“And the support from you and all the fellow doctors has just filled me with the strength that I will be able to do that.
“Thank you so much for welcoming me into the family, it means the world. Sylvester you’re a gentleman – all the best.”
Gatwa’s Doctor will presumably be first seen on our screens at the end of Jodie Whittaker’s final episode later this year, though that hasn’t been absolutely confirmed. But with the warm reception he’s received from his predecessors, he couldn’t ask for a better start before filming begins.
Doctor Who continues this Autumn with the Thirteenth Doctor’s final episode, ahead of Ncuti Gatwa’s first full episode next year
