Out of this world! (2024)
- Publication: TV Times
- Date: 2024-05-11
- Author:
- Page: 6
- Language: English
NCUTI GATWA on his first full series as a time traveller, going global and being part of the BBC's 'Who-rovision Night'
Ncuti Gatwa greet s TV Times with a megawatt smile that could power the TARDIS as we arrive at a London hotel to discuss all things Doctor Who.
Having made his debut as the 15th Doctor in the sci-fi epic last December during Goth-anniversary special 1 he Giggle, followed by Christmas Day tale The Ch my* on Ruby Road alongside new companion Ruby Sunday (Millie Gibson), the Sex Education star is excited about the launch of his first full series.
'It feels so good to have it out there!' says Ncuti, 31. 'It's been such a build-up for me and Millie, from getting cast to starting filming!'
The eight-part run opens with a double bill, with the two new episodes on BBL.: iPlayer from midnight on Friday 10 May, before their broadcast on BBC1 on Saturday.
Opener Space Babies sees the Doctor and Ruby land on a space station staffed by infants, with Bridgerton's Golda Rosheuvel guest-starring. Next, the pair are off to the 196os to meet The Beatles in The Devil's Chord, where they end up at the mercy of the villainous Maestro (RuPaul's Drag Race champion Jinkx Monsoon).
Here, in our exclusive interview, Ncuti reveals why his tenure is set to be a thrilling ride...
Each of the new episodes has a different story and setting. Has that been fun to play out?
It's really exciting, and pushes you artistically and creatively. There is not a job after this that we won't be prepared for now, because whatever genre or era you want, we've got a showed for you!
How would you describe the dynamic between the Doctor and Ruby across this series? They love getting up to mischief! They're both up for adventure, and they cause trouble wherever they go. It's a very similar dynamic with me and Millie!
Do you think joining the show at the same time helped the two of you form a strong bond?
When we started, I had a couple of clays working on Doctor Who before I had to return to another job, and I was like, wonder how Millie's getting on? I hope she's OK. I can't wait to see her!' It felt so good when we were back together!
It's essentially just the two of us on this series for nine months [of filming'. It's incredible but challenging, especially when you're hanging off wires in the middle of the night and have to keep each other going.
Was there a lot of laughter while you were working? Yes, every day was a ball! Whenever we were on wires, the crew despaired because we kept going. 'Wheeeee!'
The funniest thing, though, is watching scenes back after they come out of the edit. You're like, 'Wow, that monster looks terrifying!' hut on the day, you were acting with a tennis ball on a stick!
Ha! This series sees Doctor Who going global as it airs on Disney+ internationally at the same time as its release on BBC iPlayer in the UK. Are you excited about that?
It feels good! Everyone I speak to about Doctor Who says that a family member has passed this show on to them, and they get a look in their eyes that's warm and nostalgic. It's such a beautiful show and it deserves to be loved by everyone!
Have you been welcomed into the 'Whoniverse' by fans already?
Yes, the Whovians are very protective over Millie and me, and that's very cool! It feels nice that there's a little family that will follow us around now.
Finally, this Saturday has been dubbed 'Who-rovision Night', with Doctor Who's double bill airing before the Eurovision final (see page 4). Will you be tuning in?
Yes, what an exciting night that's going to be - we'll need to get a big screen up somewhere for a viewing party!
This series of Doctor Who is incredible. It's so cinematic, and there's nowhere else on British TV that you get stories like these. We've poured our blood, sweat and tears into this, and I can't wait for everyone to see it!
DOCTOR WHO is previewed on pages 36-37
PERFECT TIMING
Showrunner RUSSELL T. DAVIES on why the new series is set to have us gripped...
'We left the Christmas special, The Church on Ruby Road, knowing that Ruby was abandoned as a baby,' says Russell, 61, in an exclusive chat with TV Times. 'We're not finished with the Mystery of Ruby's birth at all, and the title of the seventh episode is The Legend of Ruby Sunday, so there's a lot to come!
'We've got some great stories coming up in this series, including one set in Wales that starts out as a bit of folk horror. The menace in that episode has to be seen to be understood it's extraordinary!
'Meanwhile, the UNIT team [the Doctor's allies on Earth] are back, led by Jemma Redgrave as Kate Stewart, with lovely Lenny Rush [from BBC1 comedy Am I Being Unreasonable?] coming in as Morris, their scientific adviser. Bonnie Langford as [legendary companion turned UNIT employee]
Mel Bush and Yasmin Finney as Rose Noble are also back. Plus, there's an epic finale. It's going to be thrilling!'
Captions:
Dedicated followers of fashion: The TARDIS team head to the 1960s!
Excitement ahead: Ncuti, Millie and Russell
Foe: Jinkx Monsoon plays Maestro
Expertise: Morris (Lenny Rush)
Returning favourite: Jemma Redgrave as Kate
Fresh start: The Doctor (Ncuti Gatwa) and Ruby (Millie Gibson)
A Futuristic role: Golda
Rosheuvel as Jocelyn
Disclaimer: These citations are created on-the-fly using primitive parsing techniques. You should double-check all citations. Send feedback to whovian@cuttingsarchive.org
- APA 6th ed.: (2024-05-11). Out of this world! (2024). TV Times p. 6.
- MLA 7th ed.: "Out of this world! (2024)." TV Times [add city] 2024-05-11, 6. Print.
- Chicago 15th ed.: "Out of this world! (2024)." TV Times, edition, sec., 2024-05-11
- Turabian: "Out of this world! (2024)." TV Times, 2024-05-11, section, 6 edition.
- Wikipedia (this article): <ref>{{cite news| title=Out of this world! (2024) | url=http://cuttingsarchive.org/index.php/Out_of_this_world!_(2024) | work=TV Times | pages=6 | date=2024-05-11 | via=Doctor Who Cuttings Archive | accessdate=5 December 2025 }}</ref>
- Wikipedia (this page): <ref>{{cite web | title=Out of this world! (2024) | url=http://cuttingsarchive.org/index.php/Out_of_this_world!_(2024) | work=Doctor Who Cuttings Archive | accessdate=5 December 2025}}</ref>
