Ncuti Gatwa has left his role as the Doctor after just two years and Billie Piper is set to take over after his regeneration on the show’s latest season finale

Ncuti Gatwa has revealed the reason why he decided to step down from Doctor Who(Image: PA)
Doctor Who star Ncuti Gatwa has spoken out about his departure from the beloved sci-fi series. The actor, 32, who first gained widespread recognition in Netflix ’s Sex Education, said an unexpected emotional farewell during the dramatic season finale on Saturday night.

After two series flying through space and time to put the universe to rights in the TARDIS, Ncuti has officially stepped down from his role as the Time Lord. His successor has already been confirmed as Billie Piper, who previously played the Doctor’s companion Rose Tyler in 2005. After speculation that this exit is happening as a result of a rift with the BBC, Ncuti has addressed his departure in a video, explaining that the demands of the role had taken a toll on him both physically and mentally.

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Ncuti Gatwa has revealed the reason why he decided to step down from Doctor Who(Image: BBC)

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He shared: “It’s a role that demands a lot of you physically and emotionally and mentally. The actors playing the Doctor are only actors playing the Doctor. Unfortunately, we are mere mortals.

“I would love to have the energy and the youth to be able to do this full time for the rest of my life, but my knees are telling me it’s time.”

He also took to social media to reflect on the wild journey his version of the Doctor had experienced over the last two years.

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Ncuti wrote: ““Monsters, goblins, gods, human-eating Slugs, invisible brain altering creatures, evil barbers, conspiracy theorists… you’ve had quite a busy two years. Well done and rest up son. Thank you endlessly XV.”

In his farewell message, Ncuti also acknowledged how hard it is to say goodbye to the role, saying: “You know when you get cast, at some point, you are going to have to hand back that sonic screwdriver and it is all going to come to an end, but nothing quite prepares you for it. This journey has been one that I will never forget and a role that will be part of me forever.

The actor admitted the role had started to take a toll on him(Image: AP)

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“There are no words to describe what it feels like to be cast as the Doctor, nor are there words to explain what it feels like to be accepted into this iconic role that has existed for over 60 years and is truly loved by so many across the globe.”

His comments come in the wake of online speculation that he had been suddenly dropped from the role. Some fans pointed out that Ncuti previously said he was preparing to film another season of Doctor Who, and questioned what prompted the change of plan.

One posted online saying: “In October 2024, Ncuti Gatwa was on The Graham Norton Show saying he was going to be filming another series of DW [Doctor Who] next year. In June 2025, he officially leaves the show and regenerates. This was never the plan. What a shame.”

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However, the BBC was quick to shut down those claims. A spokesperson said: “Whilst we never comment on the future of the Doctor, any suggestion that Ncuti Gatwa has been ‘axed’ is pure fiction.”

Now Billie Piper is going to be the second woman ever to play the Time Lord, following Jodie Whittaker, who also made a surprise cameo in the finale.