Former Doctor Who star Ncuti Gatwa has opened up about his decision to quit the BBC's flagship sci-fi show after just 18 episodes.
Appearing on the Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg show, Gatwa initially gave his stock answer — heard previously as part of the official behind-the-scenes Doctor Who Unleashed documentary series, that the 32-year-old actor felt he was "getting old."
But the rising Hollywood and stage star — the third-youngest actor to ever play the Doctor — then went on to give a fuller answer, discussing the "strenuous" nature of the role, and the toll it had taken on him.
Asked by Kuenssberg why he'd walked away from Doctor Who, Gatwa said: "Because I'm getting old and my body was tired," before being scoffed at by the presenter.
"My body, my knees," he continued, before referencing the fact he was also wearing a shirt referencing a new ballet. "I've now just started doing some ballet, so I'm making some good decisions here..." he continued, grinning.
"It's the most amazing job in the world," Gatwa continued. "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."
Doctor Who fans saw Gatwa's time on the TARDIS end somewhat abruptly during the finale of the show's most recent season, with various reports revealing that the episode had been subject to extensive reshoots to factor in the actor's decision to leave. The show itself is now on something of a hiatus, with no word of co-production partner Disney renewing its deal for more episodes, or — as yet — a replacement being found.
Shortly before the finale aired, Gatwa had been set to make an appearance during this year's Eurovision Song Contest, in a move that would have tied into a Doctor Who episode featuring a sci-fi Eurovision-style show. Shortly before the event, however, it was confirmed that Gatwa had pulled out, raising eyebrows.
"It all panned out very interestingly," Gatwa said, when asked of his decision to no longer be involved. "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. [I] just had a lot of work schedules, a lot of press around The Roses, around Doctor [Who]. Just a lot of press."
When asked directly if he'd pulled out of Eurovision due to the controversy over Israel's involvement, as some fans had believed, Gatwa flatly denied this was the case.
"No, I was just very busy," he responded.
“You’ve not just compared me to a politician!”@BBCNickRobinson gives Ncuti Gatwa a proper Today grilling over whether he’s finished playing Doctor Who now he’s playing Christopher Marlowe.#R4Today pic.twitter.com/Nmzzoz1qwd
— BBC Radio 4 Today (@BBCr4today) July 7, 2025
In a separate interview, this time with BBC Radio 4's Today show, Gatwa was asked if he had finished with Doctor Who for good. Gatwa replied that he had, before saying he didn't know who the next incarnation of the Doctor would be — pouring fresh doubt that his regeneration into Billie Piper was the real deal, rather than some kind of fake-out.
"I've finished being Doctor Who, we all saw the gold sparkle," Gatwa said, in reference to his character's regeneration sequence. "Or did we? I don't know. I just don't know who the next Doctor Who is. But it's certainly not me."
Earlier this month, a notable insider suggested Doctor Who could remain off-air for the rest of the decade, as concerns grow over the long-running show's immediate future.
Image credit: Joseph Okpako/WireImage via Getty.
Tom Phillips is IGN's News Editor. You can reach Tom at tom_phillips@ign.com or find him on Bluesky @tomphillipseg.bsky.social
