Ncuti Gatwa shares real reason he quit Doctor Who role

Ncuti Gatwa has revealed the real reason he quit Doctor Who after just two seasons, admitting that the role was taking a physical toll – and shared why he pulled out of Eurovision Song Contest role.

Ncuti Gatwa, who was previously best known for his role on Netflix’s Sex Education, portrayed the titular Time-Lord in BBC’s long-running sci-fi programme Doctor Who for two seasons, before a shock departure earlier this year.

Though Gatwa addressed his departure at the time, calling it “quite a busy two years” for the beloved character, he has now revealed the reason that he left the show, which again is overseen by showrunner Russell T Davies.

Speaking on the BBC’s Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg (13 July), Gatwa attributed his departure to “getting old”.

“My body was tired,” he said. “And I’ve now just started doing some ballet, so I’m making really great decisions.”

He continued: “It’s the most amazing job in the world, 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, and so it was time.”

He also teased a return to the show, adding, “never say never” of a possible return.

Gatwa’s Doctor Who regenerated into former show star Billie Piper’s Rose Tyler.

Ncuti Gatwa also addressed his withdrawal from the Eurovision Song Contest this year; he was set to be the spokesperson for Great Britain, revealing the points awarded to other countries by the UK’s jury.

The BBC reported at the time that Gatwa had pulled out due to ‘unforeseen circumstances,’ just two weeks after the initial announcement.

Gatwa told Kuenssberg that he was “just very busy” during the time.

“It all panned out very interestingly. I pulled out of it a long time before it was announced. And it was announced when it was announced, I don’t know why, but I was just very busy.

“Just had a lot of work schedules, a lot of press around The Roses, around Doctor (Who).”

Though no reason was given at the time, Gatwa’s departure was announced as tensions surrounding Israel’s participation in the 2025 Contest continued; over 70 former Eurovision contestants called for the country to be banned amidst the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict.

Doctor Who is streaming now on BBC iPlayer and Disney+ internationally.

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