Ncuti Gatwa teases Doctor Who return but admits show ‘took a lot out of him’

Fans have been in shock since Ncuti Gatwa’s exit from the long-running BBC series Doctor Who, but regenerating doesn’t mean it’s the end.

The (baffling) choice to have the Sex Education star transform into Billie Piper was met with a mixed response, including ‘nostalgia bait’ accusations.

Many expressed wishes that Ncuti, 32, had been able to stay for longer and now, while speaking on Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg, he has given a glimmer of hope.

‘Never say never,’ he teased when asked if he would ever return, grinning wider and wider as the question hung in the air.

Laura suggested that was a disguised yes ‘with the right script’, prompting laughter from the Barbie star.

Ncuti’s 14th Doctor regenerated in May, marking the end of his tenure, which began with a historic 60-year anniversary episode alongside David Tennant.

When asked why he walked away after just two (short) seasons, Ncuti explained: ‘Because I’m getting old. My body was tired.’

This prompted scoffs from the BBC reporter but the star continued: ‘It’s the most amazing job in the world. It’s a job that any actor would dream of and because it’s so good it’s strenuous.

‘It takes a lot out of you, physically, emotionally, mentally. So, it was time.’

The finale was met with a lot of controversy as fans complained about the treatment of the Doctor’s companions.

A number of fans aren’t happy with how Belinda (Varada Sethu) was treated with some going so far as to say her character was ‘butchered’.

The episode saw her entire life rewritten ‘without her consent’, landing her with a child and a husband at the end, which was never part of her plot in the lead up.

Other complaints included the ‘confusing’ plot surrounding Classic Who villain The Rani and Omega as well as the Billie Piper return.

Billie, 42, is not thought to be an iteration of The Doctor but previously played companion Rose Tyler during Christopher Eccleston and David Tennant’s original runs.

While disgruntled fans voice their opinions and optimistic theories, Ncuti has launched himself into other projects, including ballet and life on the stage.

Ncuti has (temporarily) moved away from television and just completed a successful run in the National Theatre’s Importance of Being Earnest.

He is now performing in West End play Born With Teeth, a reimagining of the rivalry between Christopher Marlowe and William Shakespeare.

In the play, he reunites with Sex Education co-star Edward Bluemel, 32, who recently appeared in the axed show My Lady Jane as well as Killing Eve.

In the chat with Laura, Ncuti said he was ‘very busy’ of late, which had also prompted his decision to step down from his involvement with Eurovision.

‘It all panned out very interestingly,’ he shared. ‘I pulled out of it a long time before it was announced.

‘And it was announced when it was announced, I don’t know why, but I was just very busy. I just had a lot of work schedules, a lot of press around The Roses, around the Doctor.’

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