After just two seasons in the TARDIS, Ncuti Gatwa has officially wrapped his time as the Fifteenth Doctor in Doctor Who, and his exit is every bit as emotional as fans expected — and then some.
The season finale, titled The Reality War, delivered a jaw-dropping twist when Gatwa’s Doctor sacrificed himself to save a child, triggering a regeneration that revealed none other than Billie Piper, best known as Rose Tyler, in a potentially brand-new incarnation of the Doctor.
Though speculation had been swirling for weeks, the dramatic transformation shocked even the most spoiler-hardened Whovians.
Gatwa, who made history as the first openly queer Black actor to take on the iconic role, confirmed his departure had always been part of the plan.
“It was always the plan to do this amount of seasons,” he explained in a behind-the-scenes interview.
“It’s a role that demands a lot of you, physically and emotionally and mentally,” he said, admitting his knees were telling him it was time.
He also described the exit as both “melancholic and bittersweet,” calling the opportunity “a real pleasure and honor.”
In an additional statement to the BBC, Gatwa said, “There are no words to describe what it feels like to be cast as the Doctor,” and thanked fans for welcoming him into a universe that’s been running for over 60 years.
He added, “The fans are truly the final character and beating heart of this show.”
Russell T Davies, the showrunner who brought Gatwa aboard, had high praise for the departing star, saying, “What a Doctor! Thank you, Ncuti!”
Gatwa took on the role in 2022 and now becomes the second-shortest-serving Doctor, following Christopher Eccleston.
He exits the series with his legacy intact and his schedule filling fast — he’s set to appear in the West End play Born with Teeth this August and is currently filming The Roses alongside Benedict Cumberbatch, Olivia Colman, Andy Samberg, and more.
Whether or not Billie Piper is the next official Doctor remains unconfirmed, but one thing is clear: Ncuti Gatwa’s bold and beautiful run in the Whoniverse will not be forgotten.