Sex Education star Ncuti Gatwa will be the first Black actor to take on the role of the titular Time Lord in Doctor Who, taking over from Jodie Whittaker! The BBC just confirmed the news.

The 29-year-old Scottish-Rwandan actor will become the fourteenth incarnation of The Doctor next year, with Russell T Davies returning to the series as showrunner after having helmed Doctor Who between 2005 and 2009.

Ncuti Gatwa stated he was “deeply honoured, beyond excited and of course a little bit scared”.

He added: “This role and show means so much to so many around the world, including myself, and each one of my incredibly talented predecessors has handled that unique responsibility and privilege with the utmost care. I will endeavour my upmost to do the same.”

Davies said Gatwa “dazzled us” in his audition. “Sometimes talent walks through the door and it’s so bright and bold and brilliant, I just stand back in awe and thank my lucky stars.”

The actor rose to prominence in 2019 as Eric Effiong on the Netflix comedy-drama series Sex Education, which earned him a BAFTA Scotland Award and three BAFTA Television Award nominations.

Whittaker’s Doctor will appear in one more episode, expected to air this autumn in celebration of the BBC’s 100th anniversary.