Ncuti Gatwa — The Fourteenth Doctor.

8th May, 2022.

You’ve possibly worked out one thing, over the years I’ve been writing this blog.

That I’m a fan of TV show, Doctor Who.

So tend to look forward to the Big Announcement.

The one that happens each few years.

The one that’s been on fans mind since Jodie Whittaker announced — a few months ago, now — that she would be leaving.

Yes: that Big Announcement.

Who’s been cast as the new Doctor Who.

The news got out, today.

Sex Education’s Ncuti Gatwa* has been cast the Fourteenth Doctor: and will be taking over in 2023.

Good luck to him.

~≈Ê≈~

Saying that?   I have a concern.

I’ve got no doubts Russell T. Davies has made a good choice in casting Ncuti Gatwa.

Ncuti’s not someone I’ve seen in anything: so I’m taking Davies’ decision on trust.

I know Ncuti’s had an award or two for his role in Sex Education, and been nominated for more.

My concern?

Is fan reaction.

I have no problem — at least, I hope I have no problem! — with Ncuti’s colour.

As long as he’s capable of acting the part, and acting the part well — and has the stamina to deal with the inevitable publicity — that should be enough for any of us.

But I’m very aware of human nature.

Very aware that — much as some complained about Jodie Whittaker’s casting as the first woman in the role — there will be people complaining about, and objecting to, his casting purely because he’s black.

I think that’s extremely objectionable.

What matters is his ability to perform in the role, not the colour of his skin.

I’m also aware that the last Dr Who convention I was at was a few years ago.

And?   I can’t recall seeing any ethnic minority fans, there.

I can’t tell you if that’s changed.

But it’s a sad reflection on how welcoming Dr Who fandom can be: especially given my own personal knowledge of at least one fan who (speaking in private to me) objected to Freema Agyeman being cast … because of the colour of her skin.

That’s not good.

Especially when you consider how diverse, and welcoming, the cast and fans of Star Trek seem to be.

That’s lack of diversity on Dr Who?

Means hiring someone like Ncuti is long overdue.

Hopefully?

The BBC will be providing support for Ncuti: and some sort of protection from whatever flak does turn up.

Hopefully?

His casting will have a long lasting, and good, effect on Doctor Who.

*        Going by interviews and announcements?   His name’s pronounced ‘shoe-ti GAT-wa.’   I’m grateful Google found a couple of interviews where he introduces himself!   I’ve also had to teach my computer’s dictionary how to spell his name: it though he was Nuclear Gateaux … 

The Day Of The Doctor: Geekboy Heaven … !

23rd November, 2013: The Day of the Doctor.

You know, there’s only so much bandwidth a boy can waste: especially as the aerial junction box in the block of flats I live in is knackered.

Given that … ?

Given that, I’ve been caning the limited amount of data I have: in a VERY unhelpful way, as well.

However … ?

I’ve just come away from seeing The Day Of The Doctor, via the BBC’s iPlayer service*.

And, while I think the 50th Anniversary episode isn’t perfect … ?

It’s a DAMN impressive piece of event drama: and something we won’t see for a few more years.

~≈Ï≈~

To try and briefly summarize … ?

The Day Of The Doctor sees Matt Smith’s Eleventh Doctor meeting Clara: just as the TARDIS is heli-napped by UNIT and taken UNIT’s HQ under the Tower of London.

And taken to view artwork that includes orders from an old flame: Elizabeth 1st.

Seemingly … ?

Seemingly the Virgin Queen needs her husband’s help with a rather awkward Zygon problem.

She ends up with not only the Tenth Doctor — David Tennant — but with the Eleventh Doctor — Matt Smith — but also the hither-to unseen War Doctor: played by John Hurt.

The War Doctor … ?   Has been sent through time to see what his future holds, by ‘The Moment’, the Time Lords’ last great weapon: sent so that the Moment — played by Billie Piper — can show him the consequences of destroying both Timelords and Daleks will be … 

~≈Ï≈~

Now … 

Not perfect … ?

Possibly not: although I’m damned if I could put a finger on how.

The Day Of The Doctor is a very entertaining watch, and one I, as a fan, can find no fault with.

I’m VERY aware it’s going to keep fans — and hopefully general viewers — happy for years: both in the amount of geeky references, and ‘guest appearences’ from every preceding Doctor.

And a brief view from Peter Capaldi’s 12th, as well.

AND from Tom Baker, as ‘The Curator’.

Nice touch, that … !

~≈Ï≈~

It’s ALSO done something else.

In one throwaway line from a character called The General, the episode mentions that we see all thirteen Doctors.

Now, I’m wondering if that means Capaldi’s Twelfth — I’m still not sure how to count Hurt’s War Doctor — will be the last.

But I DO know this: with the re-appearence of Gallifrey, the Time Lords are back.

I believe this means things could go in all sorts of directions.

*        My family’s recording the after-party on BBC for me: when I said I’ve been caning my broadband limits, I wasn’t kidding.