The finale of the latest season of Doctor Who just aired, and there was a surprise in store.
**Spoiler Warning**
Ncuti Gatwa has left the role of the Doctor after just two seasons. This ends the speculation over him continuing in the role, speculation that those involved in the show have spent months dismissing as nonsense.
The show has been criticised recently, accused of heavy handedly pushing the hyper-progressive agenda of returning showrunner Russell T. Davies, with Gatwa himself often a focal point for some of this criticism.
With the show being co-produced with Disney for the last two seasons, there was speculation as to whether the deal would extend to a third.
Viewing figures had been on the low side, with critics pointing to this commentary around the show as being part of the reason.
At the climax of this season finale Gatwa’s Doctor regenerated into somebody familiar – Billy Piper, AKA former companion Rose Tyler.
Why Rose is back will remain a mystery until at least 2027 as the show is said to be taking a break with no new series expected until then.
A statement has been released by the BBC in which Gatwa said:
“This journey has been one that I will never forget, and a role that will be part of me forever.”
Piper first appeared in the show in 2005 when it returned to TV for the first time since the 1990s, and was a well-regarded companion appearing alongside Christopher Eccleston and then David Tennant.
In 2017 she won a best actress award at the Olivier’s, for her performance in the play Yerma. Most recently was nominated for a Bafta for playing TV producer Sam McAlister in Scoop.
Gatwa has only played the Doctor for 18 months, appearing in two series. It’s the shortest time an actor has played the character since Christopher Eccleston left the show after one series in 2005.
