Doctor Who star Ncuti Gatwa has broken his cover on social media hours after reports emerged suggesting he was set to leave the iconic series after just two seasons.
The 32-year-old Scottish actor, who joined the show in 2023, has allegedly already filmed his regeneration exit scene.
Sources told The Sun that Gatwa “doesn’t want to be tied to the series beyond this” as several Hollywood projects await him in the US. His team are also reportedly wary of the backlash the series has received due to its “woke” narratives.
The actor, who recently appeared in Barbie and has been filming The Roses alongside Benedict Cumberbatch and Olivia Colman, would mark one of the shortest tenures in the show’s modern era.
While the BBC has hit back at the reports to clarify the series hasn’t been shelved and that another season featuring Gatwa is set to air, it didn’t confirm whether or not Gatwa had decided to step away.
Gatwa too hasn’t addressed the reports but did return to Instagram on Tuesday just hours after the reports hit the news cycle.
“Mum and Dads night out.. and WHAT a night,” Gatwa penned in an Instagram post followed by a dancing emoji. “Thank you @britishgq x @britishvogue x @tiffanyandco @adambaidawi @chiomannadi. Styled by: @felicitykay. Wearing: @prada. Jewellery: @tiffanyandco. Grooming: @carlosferraz_ @chris7_okonta.” (sic)
In the slideshow of images in the post, Gatwa was joined by Doctor Who co-star Varada Sethu and other big names as he attended the British Vogue x GQ BAFTA Fashion & Film Party at Tramp nightclub in London.
While he avoided mentioning his future on the sci-fi series, followers rushed to the comments to urge him not to depart the long-running drama.
“I have no idea how accurate or not the rumours about you leaving Who at the end of the next series are, and I absolutely don’t expect you to comment on them,” one fan began. “But I did want to say, I think you are *fantastic* as the Doctor, and I hope you get to keep playing the role for years to come.”
Ncuti Gatwa has been posting on Instagram since the reports emerged
“Don’t leave doctor who pookie,” a second weighed in before a third echoed: “Please don’t leave doctor who…you are a fantastic doctor..my mum has watched doctor who from the very beginning and has said don’t u dare leave..you are one of the special outstanding doctors.” (sic)
The final episode of the latest series attracted only 2.02 million viewers, compared to former Doctor Jodie Whittaker’s farewell episode which drew 3.7 million viewers in real time.
Crew members in Cardiff have reportedly expressed concerns about their future after filming concluded last week.
“Word on set is that the BBC will shelve the series for at least five years,” an insider told The Sun.
