Doctor Who's Matt Smith says Ncuti Gatwa doesn't need his advice

Eleven is confident that Fourteen will do a great job.

By Joe Anderton

7 Sep 2022

Doctor Who is about to undergo a major regeneration, as Russell T Davies returns as showrunner and Sex Education's Ncuti Gatwa takes over as the leading Time Lord.

The Doctor is a role that we imagine comes with a lot of things you need to know, from the important bits of backstory from the show's 59-year history that influence the characterisation, to how to do with a very passionate fanbase (don't call Daleks 'robots'!), and how to make technobabble sound natural.

And while there are multiple actors who have carried the torch, former Doctor Matt Smith has stated that he elected not to give Ncuti any pointers.

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Speaking to Radio Times, the Eleventh Doctor actor said he's been in contact with Ncuti to give him well wishes, but added "he doesn't need my advice".

"Ncuti is a brilliant actor and he’s going to be an incredible Doctor," he said. "I’m excited to see it and to see where Russell and Ncuti take the show."

Ncuti is currently filming Sex Education series 4, having recently wrapped up on the Barbie movie from Greta Gerwig. He is expected to start filming on Who in November, with his first episodes set to air in early 2024.

matt smith as the eleventh doctor in doctor who

BBC

Before that, we've got Jodie Whittaker's final episode for the BBC's 100th anniversary celebrations in October this year. Meanwhile, David Tennant, Catherine Tate and the late Bernard Cribbins are back alongside Neil Patrick Harris and Heartstopper's Yasmin Finney as a new character called Rose for the 60th Who anniversary in November 2023.

Will Jodie's Doctor regenerate into Ncuti's Doctor, or into David's fan-favourite Doctor again first? Or will that Doctor return in some other way instead? There are lots of questions that we can't wait to see answered.

Doctor Who's next special premieres in October 2022 on BBC One in the UK. In the US, the show airs on BBC America, with series 1-12 available on HBO Max. Classic Doctor Who streams exclusively on BritBox in the UK.