'Doctor Who' star Ncuti Gatwa offered advice from Matt Smith

9 May 2024

Ncuti Gatwa was offered advice from ‘Doctor Who’ actor Matt Smith.

Ncuti Gatwa was offered advice from ‘Doctor Who’ actor Matt Smith

The 31-year-old – who made his debut as the Time Lord in the show’s 2023 Christmas special – is gearing up to return as the character, and has revealed the former ‘Doctor Who’ star, 41, gave him his phone number so he could turn to him if he needed advice.

In a ‘Q and A with the Fifteenth Doctor, Ncuti Gatwa’, he said: “I bumped into Matt Smith at a party before I was allowed to announce it to anyone. I told him I was following in his footsteps and he had no idea what I was talking about.

“But when it was announced, he texted me and said, ‘Ah, now I get it!’

“He was so lovely. He was like, ‘Take it all in your stride. If you ever need any advice, here’s my number.’

“Now that I’m in the role, I get what they mean. What it’s like to play that role is not something that anyone else can understand.

“I’m very grateful for their support.”

On Saturday (11.05.24), Ncuti’s Doctor and his accomplice Ruby Sunday (played by Millie Gibson, 19) will be making their series debut on BBC One with the opening episode ‘Space Babies’.

The actor said Millie “charmed us all the moment we met her”.

When asked what it was like to work with the actress, Ncuti added: “It’s incredible. She’s a great actor, and she’s delightful. She charmed us all the moment we met her, and that never stopped. She helps define the energy of my character.

“It was the missing element. As soon as the companion walked in, the energy and the chemistry were just there. Millie and I had never met before, but we just hit the ground running.

“That dynamic between the Doctor and the companion just worked instantly.

“Millie is the perfect person for this new era. Of course, as we know, the companion is the eyes of the audience. And what Millie brings is a lightness and a curiosity, but also something real and deep. I think that's the perfect vessel for the audience to join us in the new era. Millie brings so much to the table.”