Doctor Who’s Ncuti Gatwa shares reason for show departure: “It was time”
Ncuti Gatwa has spoken about his exit from Doctor Who.
In an unexpected turn of events, the actor from “Sex Education” departed the BBC sci-fi series following its second season, with Billie Piper stepping into his role in the final episode titled ‘The Reality War’.
During an interview on Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg, Gatwa mentioned that portraying the role of Doctor was quite strenuous from a physical perspective.
What to Read Next
He mentioned that his age and fatigue were taking a toll on him. To counteract this, he recently began practicing ballet, which he believes is leading to wise choices for him at this time.
He mentioned: “It’s an incredible occupation, one that every actor yearns for. Given its quality, it’s demanding. It drains you, not just physically, but also emotionally and mentally. Consequently, I felt it was time for a break.
Gatwa also said “never say never” when asked about the possibility of a return one day.
Earlier this month, showrunner Russell T Davies expressed uncertainty about the future of Doctor Who.
He expressed optimism, saying, “We should hear some news shortly,” and went on to say, “There are avenues pointing towards possible outcomes.
In another part of his interview yesterday, Gatwa mentioned that he relinquished his role as the UK’s representative speaker at the Eurovision Song Contest because he was excessively occupied with media engagements.
Things turned out quite intriguingly, as I had already withdrawn from the situation well before it became public knowledge,” he revealed.
Take our interdimensional Doctor Who quiz!
The British television series known as “Doctor Who” is broadcast on BBC One within the United Kingdom, while it can be found on Disney+ everywhere else. In the UK specifically, the classic episodes of “Doctor Who” can be accessed via BBC iPlayer.
Interested in talking about Doctor Who? Visit our dedicated sub-forum
Read more Doctor Who news on our dedicated homepage
The latest Digital Spy print edition is available now! Purchase the “Oasis – Live in ’25” issue from your local newsstands or online for only £8.99.
Read More
- Vampire’s Fall 2 redeem codes and how to use them (June 2025)
- Does Jurassic World Rebirth have a post-credit scene?
- GEN vs AL was another extremely close LoL match at MSI 2025
- T1 has a difficult match vs CFO, still advance to the semis of LoL MSI 2025
- Scarlett Johansson becomes highest-grossing lead actor EVER after Jurassic Park Rebirth opens with $318M
- WEBZEN’s MU: Pocket Knights offers a cute spin on the legendary MU series, set to launch in the second half of 2025
- Unmasking Ironheart: Ranking Her MCU Suits by Comic Book Accuracy!
- JOOPITER’s sacai x SEVENTEEN Auction Sets Record for Highest-Selling LABUBU
- LCP teams, CFO and GAM, bring the underdog power to MSI 2025
- Cookie Run: Kingdom Marshmallow Bunny Cookie Guide: How to unlock, Best Toppings, and more
2025-07-14 14:19