Ncuti Gatwa Named First Black Actor to Take on Leading 'Doctor Who' Role

Ncuti Gatwa made his name in the hit Netflix series 'Sex Education' CHRISTIAN MANG POOL/AFP/File
Ncuti Gatwa made his name in the hit Netflix series 'Sex Education' CHRISTIAN MANG POOL/AFP/File
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Ncuti Gatwa Named First Black Actor to Take on Leading 'Doctor Who' Role

Ncuti Gatwa made his name in the hit Netflix series 'Sex Education' CHRISTIAN MANG POOL/AFP/File
Ncuti Gatwa made his name in the hit Netflix series 'Sex Education' CHRISTIAN MANG POOL/AFP/File

British actor Ncuti Gatwa, known for his role in popular series "Sex Education" will be the first Black actor to play the leading role in the cult BBC science fiction series, "Doctor Who", the channel announced Sunday.

The Rwandan-born Scottish actor, 29, will become the 14th incarnation of the Time Lord from 2023 as the series celebrates its 60th anniversary, AFP said.

He takes over from British actress Jodie Whittaker, who was the first woman to play character known as "The Doctor" in the show.

"It feels really amazing. It's a true honor. This role is an institution and it's so iconic," Gatwa told BBC News.

"I feel very grateful to have had the baton handed over and I'm going to try to do my best," he added.

The adventures of the doctor -- a time travelling, humanoid alien who traverses the universe -- have maintained a loyal following since they were first aired in 1963.

Gatwa will work alongside screenwriter and producer Russell T Davies, creator of the series "It's a Sin", hugely popular in the UK.

It is a return for Davies, who stepped down as executive producer of the show in 2008 after he relaunched the series in 2005.

Whittaker took on the role in 2017 from Scottish actor Peter Capaldi, best known for playing a foul-mouthed spin doctor in the BBC satire "The Thick Of It".

She announced she would leave the role in July 2021.



Peru Clinic that Leaked Shakira Medical Record Given Hefty Fine

Colombian singer Shakira arrives at the 24th Annual Latin Grammy Awards ceremony at the Conference and Exhibition Centre (FIBES) in Sevilla on November 16, 2023. (Photo by JORGE GUERRERO / AFP)
Colombian singer Shakira arrives at the 24th Annual Latin Grammy Awards ceremony at the Conference and Exhibition Centre (FIBES) in Sevilla on November 16, 2023. (Photo by JORGE GUERRERO / AFP)
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Peru Clinic that Leaked Shakira Medical Record Given Hefty Fine

Colombian singer Shakira arrives at the 24th Annual Latin Grammy Awards ceremony at the Conference and Exhibition Centre (FIBES) in Sevilla on November 16, 2023. (Photo by JORGE GUERRERO / AFP)
Colombian singer Shakira arrives at the 24th Annual Latin Grammy Awards ceremony at the Conference and Exhibition Centre (FIBES) in Sevilla on November 16, 2023. (Photo by JORGE GUERRERO / AFP)

The Peruvian clinic that treated Colombian mega-star Shakira for an abdominal condition in February has been fined $190,000 over the leaking of her medical record, local health authorities announced Wednesday.

The 48-year-old four-time Grammy-winning Colombian singer-songwriter was forced to scrap a blockbuster show in Lima in February after being rushed to hospital with an unspecified abdominal ailment.

Two days later, she was back on stage in the Peruvian capital.

Shortly after her brief hospitalization, her medical report appeared on social media, sparking widespread outrage among fans and an official investigation.

The Delgado Auna clinic, where she was treated, said at the time it was investigating what it called a "serious ethical breach of our code of conduct and regulations governing personal data processing."

Shakira is on her first world tour in seven years, titled "Las mujeres ya no lloran" (Women Don't Cry Anymore).