Ncuti Gatwa

2013–2022: Early stage work and breakthrough with Sex Education

After graduating, Gatwa was granted a position in the Dundee Repertory Theatre acting graduation scheme where he performed in several productions including David Greig's Victoria.^[18][19] Around this time, Gatwa was attacked by three strangers in the street who fractured his jaw; it is now made with titanium.^[14] His first experience on a professional set was when he filmed a brief role in the 2014 BBC Scotland sitcom Bob Servant.^[19] In 2014, Gatwa received a Commendation at the Ian Charleson Awards for his performance of Mercutio in Romeo and Juliet at HOME, Manchester.^[20][21][22]

In 2015, he appeared in the miniseries Stonemouth, an adaptation of Iain Banks's 2012 novel of the same name.^[23][24] That same year, he performed in the Kneehigh Theatre's production of 946: The Amazing Story of Adolphus Tips, which was adapted from Michael Morpurgo's The Amazing Story of Adolphus Tips, about a large-scale rehearsal for the D-Day landings in 1944 that resulted in numerous fatalities.^[25][26] Gatwa played Demetrius in the 2016 production of A Midsummer Night's Dream at Shakespeare's Globe directed by Emma Rice.^[27][28]

In 2019, Gatwa had his breakout role as Eric Effiong in the Netflix comedy-drama series Sex Education.^[29][30][31] For five months prior to this casting, he had been homeless after running out of savings, and had couch surfed among friends^[32] whilst whilst working as a temporary employee at Harrods.^[33] Gatwa received praise for his portrayal of Eric from critics, particularly for how his character was not relegated to the cliché of "gay or Black best friend slash sidekick stock character".^[31][34][35] He earned numerous accolades for the role, including a BAFTA Scotland Award for Best Actor in Television in 2020,^[36] and three BAFTA Television Award nominations for Best Male Comedy Performance in 2020,^[37] 2021^[38] and 2022 consecutively.^[39]

In April 2022, Gatwa was cast in Greta Gerwig's Barbie as Artist Ken.^[40][41] He joined his Barbie co-stars in a choreographed performance of the song "I'm Just Ken" at the 96th Academy Awards.^[42] Gatwa performed an excerpt of Romeo and Juliet with Mei Mac at the 2023 Coronation Concert,^[43] and topped the Radio Times's TV 100 power list the same year.^[44]

2023–2025: Doctor Who

In May 2022, it was announced that Gatwa had been cast in Doctor Who as a new incarnation of the show's protagonist, the Doctor, succeeding Jodie Whittaker in the role.^[45] Gatwa, who was cast in February,^[46] was the first black actor to lead the series,^{[47][48][note 2]} the fourth Scottish actor,^[51][52] and the first actor born outside the United Kingdom to do so.^[53][54]

He was expected to take over the role in the third and final of the 2022 specials in October 2022,^[55] but the final Thirteenth Doctor story "The Power of the Doctor" revealed that Gatwa would play the Fifteenth Doctor, with David Tennant (who had previously played the Tenth Doctor) returning to play the Fourteenth Doctor.^[56]

Gatwa debuted in "The Giggle", the third of the 60th anniversary specials, on 9 December 2023,^[57] and starred in his first full episode, "The Church on Ruby Road" on Christmas Day 2023, which was followed by the show's fourteenth series.^[58] His performance in Doctor Who earned praise from critics.^[59] The Independent praised his "interstellar lead performance" and "megawatt charm".^[60] Variety wrote that his acting elevated the season, referencing his "refreshing dynamism that makes the season a uniquely mesmerizing watch".^[61] Naina Bajekal of Time magazine believed that Gatwa was "bringing Doctor Who into a new era."^[62] Mary McNamara of Los Angeles Times called Gatwa "an absolute delight" and wrote that his "unbridled exuberance makes this an easy sell and serves as a data bridge between new viewers and old."^[63] For his performance, Gatwa received the 2024 BAFTA Cymru Award for Best Actor,^[64] and was nominated for the Critics' Choice Television Award for Best Actor in a Drama Series.^[65]

In 2024, Gatwa responded to social media users who criticised the casting of a black Doctor: "It’s not something I’ll avidly keep up on. The hate? It is kind of fascinating to me because there’s so much energy they’re putting into it… I think they need to go find a hobby is one thing."^[66] He was nearly cast in Jesse Eisenberg's film A Real Pain as Rwandan genocide survivor Eloge, but scheduling conflicts with Doctor Who led to Kurt Egyiawan being cast in the role instead.^[67]

In May 2025, following the broadcast of "The Reality War", Gatwa left his role as the Doctor. Gatwa starred in a total of 18 episodes across two seasons, which made his tenure in the main role the second shortest to date since 2005, behind Christopher Eccleston's one season tenure as the Ninth Doctor.^[68]

2025–present: Stage and film work

In November 2024, Gatwa appeared as Algernon Moncrieff in Max Webster's production of Oscar Wilde's play The Importance of Being Earnest in the Lyttleton Theatre at the National Theatre, opposite Hugh Skinner and Sharon D. Clarke, running until January 2025.^[69] A filmed version of the play was screened in cinemas worldwide through National Theatre Live.^[70]

In April 2025, it was announced that Gatwa would star as Christopher Marlowe in the European premiere of Liz Duffy Adams's play Born with Teeth. The Royal Shakespeare Company production opened in London's West End from August 2025.^[71][72] On 2 May 2025, Gatwa was initially announced as the United Kingdom's spokesperson for the Eurovision Song Contest 2025,^[73] however two weeks later it was announced that he had withdrawn from the role due to "unforeseen circumstances"; he was replaced by Sophie Ellis-Bextor.^[74][75] Gatwa later stated that "it all panned out very interestingly. 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."^[74][76]

Gatwa played Jeffrey in the 2025 film The Roses, a remake of The War of the Roses (1989).^[77] Gatwa will portray British fashion journalist Michael Roberts in The Queen of Fashion, an upcoming biographical film starring Andrea Riseborough as Isabella Blow.^[78]

Film

Television

Theatre

Audio

Video games