Russell T Davies, writer and returning showrunner of Doctor Who, wrote some high words of praise for Ncuti Gatwa, who made the 2022 TIME100 Next list for Time Magazine. Gatwa is expected to take on the role of the Doctor for Series 14 of the programme.

“The man is like a thunderbolt, and he keeps winning new ground: Ncuti Gatwa’s creation of Eric Effiong in Netflix’s Sex Education went soaring around the world. The character of the gay sidekick is meant to stay in the shadows. Not Eric! He strutted in, stole the spotlight, and I think a gracious, awestruck cast simply stood back and allowed him the room.

I’d watched him onscreen, and thought I had the measure of him, until he walked into the room for Doctor Who audition. Bang! Thunderbolt. And bear in mind, for U.K. TV, the part of the Doctor is the Crown Jewels, it’s history, it’s tradition, it’s … Oh, sod that, I said, and threw it at him.

He’s conquered the world. Now all of time and space is his.”

Gatwa is expected to commence filming Doctor Who Series 14 in November of 2022.