Ncuti Gatwa Leaves ‘Doctor Who’ at Disney+ and the BBC In Twist Regeneration Sequence

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Ncuti Gatwa is exiting the Tardis.

During the final episode of “Doctor Who” Season 14 on Saturday, the Doctor, played by Gatwa, undergoes a regeneration transformation, which results in Billie Piper stepping into the role once again. Piper is known for her portrayal of companion Rose Tyler in Series 1 and Series 2 (originally in 2005 and 2006), as well as making brief appearances in Series 4 (2008) and the “Doctor Who” 50th anniversary special back in 2013.

At the conclusion of the show (according to BBC), there’s a line that says, “Ncuti Gatwa portrays the Doctor. Jodie Whittaker plays the Doctor. Also joining us, Billie Piper.

Despite the speculation, Piper’s appointment as the next Doctor isn’t officially confirmed yet. In a conversation with the BBC, Piper hinted that fans will need to be patient a bit more to discover the implications of her return on the show.

In a statement, Piper expressed, “There’s no hiding my affection for this series, and I’ve often mentioned my desire to revisit the Whoniverse because it holds many cherished memories. When the chance came to set foot in that TARDIS again, it was an offer I simply couldn’t turn down. But details like ‘who,’ ‘how,’ ‘why,’ and ‘when’ will have to remain a mystery for now; you’ll just have to stay tuned to find out.

Speculation regarding Gatwa’s possible exit from the series has been circulating since before the Season 2 debut in April, gaining momentum as ratings have dropped compared to the previous season. Gatwa, who made history by becoming the first openly queer Black actor to play the role, starred alongside Millie Gibson and Varada Sethu in “Doctor Who”. Russell T Davies served as showrunner, writer, and executive producer during this time. With his departure, Gatwa’s tenure as the Doctor will be one of the shortest on record, only surpassing Christopher Eccleston by a single season, leaving the future of this iconic British show uncertain.

The series “Doctor Who” was initially commissioned for two seasons on Disney+ and BBC, however, there hasn’t been any news yet about a renewal for further seasons. When asked by Variety in April if he would consider reprising his role for a third season, Gatwa remained tight-lipped, stating: “I’m preoccupied with Season 2 because it’s been so incredible. It’s quite amusing that in a show about time travel, one can’t discuss the future, but I can certainly talk about Season 2 and how fantastic it is.

David Tennant enhanced his “Doctor Who” tenure with on-stage roles, most notably playing a part in “The Importance of Being Earnest” at the National Theatre in London until January. It’s been revealed that he will headline another play, “Born With Teeth,” on the West End this summer. Additionally, he is presently shooting Jay Roach’s dark comedy “The Roses,” alongside Benedict Cumberbatch, Olivia Colman, Andy Samberg, Allison Janney, and others.

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2025-06-01 00:16