New 'Doctor Who' Ncuti Gatwa bares abs in futuristic jacket at BAFTA TV awards
New Doctor Who Ncuti Gatwa proved he is taking his role as the timelord seriously with a futuristic ab-flashing look on the BAFTA TV awards red carpet.
The Sex Education star gave a nod to his Nigerian heritage with a sci-fi inspired jacket by African designer Orange Couture Nigeria.
The tunic featured a cut-out sternum revealing Gatwa's chest and abs, with satin sleeve panels and a peplum-style skirt finished with floor-skimming tassels.
He finished the look with matching trousers and low-key leather sandals.
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Gatwa, 29, was revealed as the 14th Doctor Who, taking over from Jodie Whittaker. He will become the first black actor to play the title role full-time after Jo Martin made a guest appearance as a previously unknown incarnation of the Doctor in 2020.
Speaking on the BAFTA red carpet, Gatwa said: "I got cast in February and I have been keeping it a secret since then. So it is nice to finally breathe. But I'm also really nervous. It is an incredibly iconic role. I just hope I do it justice. I am following in some very, very big footsteps."
Previous Doctors have been played by acting legends Jon Pertwee, Peter Davison, Christopher Eccleston and David Tennant.
But Gatwa, who was named best actor in the 2020 Scottish Baftas, is ready for the challenge.
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He was born in Kigali, Rwanda, before his family fled the country's genocide when he was just two years old.
They settled in Scotland and his father studied at the University of Edinburgh which provided the family with accommodation.
But his dad struggled to find work and moved back to Africa while his mum juggled several jobs in Scotland.
He says his mother's struggle in raising him and two siblings inspired the children to excel at school.
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In 2020, he told The Big Issue that before he got his big break in Sex Education he found himself homeless, relying on friends and sofa-surfing to get by.
“As I was standing on the street with my suitcases, one thought came into my head: ‘I’m homeless,’ he revealed. "I couldn’t have got through without two wonderful friends.
“One made me stay with her and the other wired me money for food every week. Their generosity was incredible but difficult to accept as it meant accepting what my situation had become – and it was a situation I could barely comprehend.”
Despite his success, he has never forgotten those hard times and knows that he could be in a very different place now if Sex Education hadn't come along.
And it sounds like he may be channeling a little bit of his Sex Education character Eric Effiong in his new part as the Doctor.
When asked what he would bring to the role he replied: "I don't know... fabulousness?"
