As Doctor Who prepares to introduce its next leading star, Ncuti Gatwa has a surprising comment about the Sixteenth Doctor’s identity. Gatwa played the Fifteenth Doctor for two seasons, taking over after David Tennant’s stunning reintroduction as the Fourteenth Doctor. After he ushered in a new era for Doctor Who, Gatwa said goodbye to the series with a shocking regeneration.
Instead of regenerating into the next clear star of the show, Gatwa’s follow-up proved to be a casting twist. Billie Piper (Rose Tyler) appears to have become the next Doctor, as her face emerged after the most recent regeneration. The decision has resulted in an outcry from viewers and stars alike, who argue that it is simply stunt casting.
In an interview with BBC Radio 4 Today (via RadioTimes.com), Gatwa expressed that he is not actually certain about whom the next Doctor will be. While he insists that he is not returning after leaving his role as the Fifteenth Doctor, he has no actual confirmation about whether Billie Piper will be playing the Sixteenth Doctor. Check out his comments below:
I’ve finished playing Doctor Who, we all saw the gold sparkle – or did we, I don’t know? I just don’t know who the next Doctor Who is, but it’s certainly not me.
What This Means For The 16th Doctor
Gatwa Is Not Planning On An Immediate Return
Generally, there are few twists when it comes to Doctor Who‘s various regenerations. The Doctor receives a mortal injury, regenerates into a new person, and the next few episodes give audiences a chance to learn more about their new face and personality. There have been occasional surprises, such as the Meta-Crisis Doctor, but the general story remains the same.
With the Fifteenth Doctor’s regeneration, that reality appears to be changing, as Piper may not be playing the Doctor. After all, the credits simply indicated that Piper would be returning, but it did not specify that she would be playing the Doctor, rather than Rose Tyler. Showrunner Russell T Davies has also not revealed her potential role moving forward.
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Alongside Gatwa, other former Doctors have expressed their confusion. Peter Davidson (the Fifth Doctor) has criticized recent Doctor Who seasons, arguing that the show is relying on shocking viewers, rather than piecing together compelling stories, and he expressed his confusion about Piper’s role as well. Doctor Who season 16 has not been confirmed, so the mystery may never be answered.
Our Take On The Sixteenth Doctor’s Casting
Piper’s Return May Be A Mistake
While Russell T Davies’ return to the show was a welcome change of pace, his decision to bring Piper back could easily become a massive issue. While the show has not been renewed, Davies is facing outcry about the casting. With Piper returning, the next Doctor will bring in a new era. Instead, it represents a return to the past.
Bringing Tennant back was already a risky decision, but Piper’s return only proves that the show is relying on these stunts.
Doctor Who has always been a show that pushes boundaries and evolves with the times. Returning to a short-lived storyline from the 2005 revival simply means that the show will not be able to grow, as it will simply be contracting to a pre-existing narrative. It completely defeats the purpose of this series.
Piper is undoubtedly an important part of Doctor Who‘s history, but that does not mean that she needs to distract from the next Doctor’s regeneration. Bringing Tennant back was already a risky decision, but Piper’s return only proves that the show is relying on these stunts, and there was no real reason for Piper to return.
Source: BBC Radio 4 Today (via RadioTimes.com)
Doctor Who
5/10
- Release Date
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December 25, 2023
- Directors
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Douglas Camfield, David Maloney, Christopher Barry, Michael E. Briant, Barry Letts, Michael Ferguson, Richard Martin, Peter Moffatt, Pennant Roberts, Lennie Mayne, Chris Clough, Ron Jones, Paddy Russell, Paul Bernard, Michael Hayes, Timothy Combe, Morris Barry, Gerald Blake, Graeme Harper, Waris Hussein, Rodney Bennett, Mervyn Pinfield, Hugh David, John Gorrie
- Writers
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Russell T. Davies, Dave Gibbons, Kate Herron, Steven Moffat
- Franchise(s)
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Doctor Who / Whoniverse
