Two months after the shocking Doctor Who Season 2 finale, Ncuti Gatwa finally reveals why he left the show

Doctor Who, one of the most common British science-fiction television series, premiered in 1963. It follows the Doctor, who is an extraterrestrial Time Lord who travels across time and space on a spacecraft called the TARDIS. As per the storyline, he resembles a British police box. The Doctor rescues mankind and fights evil with the assistance of many companions.

The character's unique appearance might alter thanks to a process known as regeneration. This allows fresh performers to take on the role, and the program has become an important element of British culture. It has a large international following, was reactivated in 2005, and is still active today.

Ncuti Gatwa said he left Doctor Who because of the mental and physical strains of the job two months after his last episode. He made reference to a potential comeback while expressing gratitude for the life-altering event and the support of his fans. Gatwa is back on stage, starring in London's Born With Teeth.

More about Ncuti Gatwa’s exit from Doctor Who

Ncuti Gatwa has spoken out about his reasons for leaving Doctor Who after just two seasons, two months after making his tearful last appearance as the Fifteenth Doctor. Many were surprised by his departure, particularly because his performance gave the venerable series fresh life and complexity. The actor has since shed light on the difficulties of the part as well as his future goals.

In a recent interview with Laura Kuenssberg on her BBC series Sunday, Gatwa explained the reason for his exit from Doctor Who. He said:

"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, I — it was time."

Jokingly, he mentioned his decision to take up ballet, adding,

"I’m making better choices for my body now.”

His statements mainly indicate that, while he enjoyed the opportunity, the demanding nature of the work made him realize something. It indicated that it was time to move on.

Before becoming the Doctor, Gatwa played the unique role of Eric Effiong in Sex Education (2019-2023), a Netflix series, which earned him a devoted fan base. The famous actor had trained at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland and began his acting career on stage.

Gatwa's final episode of Doctor Who, The Reality War, had an unexpected finish, and his Doctor took the heroic decision to save a child—believed to be his daughter—only to regenerate seconds later into a new incarnation played by Billie Piper.

Piper was previously renowned for her role as companion Rose Tyler, and she made a surprise appearance, which mainly left viewers uncertain about the show's future path.

After leaving, Gatwa thanked the supporters. This was due to their support and the experience, and he claimed that the worldwide fan support meant a lot to him. It also indicated that being a part of Doctor Who had been a life-changing experience.

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He said that he would be willing to return in the future and that it is crucial to hand the responsibility over to someone fresh, emphasizing that one should "never say never."

Gatwa's tenure as the Doctor may be over. However, his acting career continues to flourish. He will play Christopher Marlowe in London's West End production of Born With Teeth, starring Edward Bluemel as William Shakespeare, and the production, which runs from August to November 2025, is a return to his theatrical origins while he pursues new creative prospects.

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