Doctor Who bosses reveal they considered non-binary actor for Fifteenth Time Lord

Doctor Who bosses considered casting a non-binary actor for the Fifteeth Time Lord, before casting Sex Education star Ncuti Gatwa. 

In a new interview, Russell T. Davies spoke about the search to find Jodie Whittaker‘s replacement with actors from ‘all backgrounds and genders’ taking part in the audition process. 

The screenwriter, 59, reflected on the casting process and how both he and executive producer Phil Collinson had a rough vision that the new Doctor would be played by someone under 30. 

‘We saw all backgrounds, all genders’: Doctor Who bosses considered casting a non-binary actor for the Time Lord, before casting Sex Education star Ncuti Gatwa

‘As ever, we turned to Andy Pryor [casting director] and said, ‘Bring us the best in the land.’ We saw all backgrounds, all genders,’ Russell told Radio Times’ Doctor Who magazine. 

‘We saw men, we saw women, we saw one non-binary actor.

‘I think, as a rule, we were looking for younger – most of the people we saw were under 30 – but not as a definite rule, and kind of new talent.’

Casting: In a new interview, Russell T. Davies (pictured with Ncuti in May) spoke about the search to find Jodie Whittaker’s replacement

While Russell kept coy on which actors took part in the audition process, he admitted bosses nearly gave the role of Doctor Who to someone else, before Ncuti bagged the role.  

Doctor Who returns in November 2023 with three special episodes to coincide with the show’s 60th anniversary, with David Tennant as the Fourteenth Doctor.

The Fifteenth Doctor, played by Ncuti, 30, will then take control of the TARDIS, with his first episode airing over the festive period next year.

In October, Jodie stepped down from her role as The Doctor, replaced by returning star David for the upcoming anniversary episodes.

The Power of the Doctor was jam-packed with excitement as famous faces returned, Jodie bowed out after five years as the Time Lord, David made his return, and fans were given a first-look at Ncuti Gatwa as the 14th Doctor.  

Bowing out: In October, Jodie Whittaker stepped down from her role as The Doctor, replaced by returning star David for the upcoming anniversary episodes

The Fifteenth Doctor: First look images show Ncuti in full costume alongside his sidekick Millie Gibson

The feature length 60th celebration of the sci-fi series will also star Catherine Tate, reprising her role as companion Donna Noble.

Jodie’s finale episode ended with a short trailer for the anniversary episodes, which will hit screens in 2023.

The trailer teased Ncuti’s much-anticipated arrival as the star was seen asking: ‘Can someone tell me what the hell is going on?’

Exciting: Doctor Who returns in November 2023 with three special episodes to coincide with the show’s 60th anniversary, with David Tennant as the Fourteenth Doctor