Doctor Who's 14th Doctor Repeats Matt Smith's Best Casting Trick
Ncuti Gatwa's Doctor Who casting evokes memories of Matt Smith's introduction — and that connection bodes well for the Fourteenth Doctor's future. After almost a full year of speculation, Doctor Who's next Doctor is officially announced, with Sex Education's Ncuti Gatwa taking the Time Lord honors. Jodie Whittaker makes her final Doctor Who appearance later in 2022, departing alongside current showrunner Chris Chibnall. Gatwa was instead chosen by Chibnall's incoming successor, Russell T. Davies, who returns to Doctor Who showrunning duties after initially departing in 2010.
Reaction to Ncuti Gatwa's Doctor Who casting has been largely positive thus far, with many hailing the actor's comedic performance as Eric Effiong in Sex Education as a promising foundation for his TARDIS tenure. Further strengthening Gatwa's case is the long list of awards and nominations collected throughout his relatively short career. Though Ncuti Gatwa gives Doctor Who fans plenty of reason for excitement, his casting also carries echoes of when Matt Smith was first announced as the Eleventh Doctor back in 2009.
Related: How To Pronounce Ncuti Gatwa
Matt Smith's Doctor Who casting was notable for two groundbreaking reasons. Though he's since conducted a veritable tour of major franchises (Marvel, Terminator, Game of Thrones, nearly Star Wars), very few had heard Matt Smith's name in 2009. A couple of BBC2 dramas and some theater credits were all confused fans had to go on. At just 26, Smith was also the youngest actor cast as Doctor Who's star — an honor he retains to this day. That youth and anonymity ultimately worked in Smith's favor, however, as Doctor Who's then-showrunner, Steven Moffat, crafted his leading man into a completely fresh
Read more on screenrant.com
