Sex Education star Ncuti Gatwa takes on Jodie Whittaker in Doctor Who.

Ncuti Gatwa will replace Jodie Whittaker as Time Lord in Doctor Who, the BBC has announced.

The 29-year-old will become the 14th doctor on the popular BBC show after Whittaker announced she was stepping down from the role last July.

Rwanda-born Scottish actor Gatwa played the lead role of Eric Effiong in the hugely popular Netflix series Sex Education, about socially awkward high schooler Otis (Asa Butterfield) and his sex therapist Jean (Gillian Anderson).

He said: “There aren’t quite the words to describe how I feel. A mixture of deeply honoured, beyond excited and of course a little scared. This role and show means so much to so many around the world, including me, and each of my incredibly talented predecessors has handled this unique responsibility and privilege with the utmost care.

“I will do my best to do the same. Russell T Davies is almost as iconic as the Doctor himself and working with him is a dream come true. His writing is dynamic, exciting, incredibly intelligent and fraught with danger.

“An actor’s metaphorical playground. The whole team were so welcoming and really put their heart into the show.

“As scary as it is, I’m aware that I’m joining a really supportive family. Unlike the Doctor, I may only have one heart, but I’m giving everything to this show.”

In 2020, Gatwa was named winner of the Actor category at the Scottish Bafta’s for his role in sex education and was nominated for Best Male Performance in a Comedy Program at this year’s Bafta TV Awards, taking place on 8 May.

Queer As Folk and It’s A Sin writer Russell T. Davies is returning as the show’s showrunner after leaving the show in 2009.

Davies, who was responsible for reviving Doctor Who in 2005, will return in 2023 to celebrate the show’s 60th anniversary, the BBC previously said.

video of the day

He said: “The future is here and it’s Ncuti! Sometimes a talent walks through the door and it’s so bright and bold and brilliant that I just step back in awe and thank my lucky stars.

“Ncuti blinded us, grabbed the Doctor, and possessed these Tardis Keys in a matter of seconds.

“It’s an honor to work with him and a cheer, I can’t wait to get started. I’m sure you’re dying to know more, but we’re rationing ourselves for now as the wonderful Jodie’s epic finale is yet to come.

“But I promise you, 2023 will be spectacular!”

The announcement was teased by Davies and Gatwa on Instagram with a post featuring two heart emojis, a plus symbol and a blue square.

Charlotte Moore, BBC Chief Content Officer, said: “Ncuti has incredible dynamism, he is a formidable and fearless young actor whose talent and energy make the world light up and set Doctor Who in the new era of Russell T Davies at an extraordinary level will take adventures with them.”

Georgia Tennant, wife of former Doctor Who star David Tennant and daughter of Peter Davison, who also played the Doctor, reacted to the news that Gatwa will be taking over Jodie Whittaker by tweeting: “Hello Dad”.

The BBC said further details would be announced in due course.