Ncuti Gatwa's Initial 'Semi-Doctor' Outing on Doctor Who Stems from Sex Education Series
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Embrace the "Doctor-lite" vibe, a buzzword in the latest waves of Doctor Who, where the main doc is MIA or plays a feeble role. Such instances arrived as a practical necessity when the series' lead actor was shoulder-deep in a season's worth of work, like when the Doctor was mysteriously absent in Ncuti Gatwa's inaugural season. However, planning calamities nearly scrapped this concept for Gatwa's debut session - until a scheduling snafu with another TV gig stepped in.
At the time of Gatwa's coronation as the new Doctor, he was still tied up in the final season of Netflix's Sex Education, where he shone as celebrated queer character, Eric Effiong. As showrunner Russell T Davies put it in a recent Doctor Who Magazine feature (via the Radio Times), "Taking the risk to cast Ncuti meant casting him before he'd wrapped up on Sex Education. That was a bold move, but it was undoubtedly the right gamble, as it got us the best possible Doctor for 2024 we could envision."
However, this gutsy gamble left Davies scrambling to manage Gatwa's schedule. This predicament brought back to life an idea that hadn't quite clicked with previous Doctor/companion combos, but one that would thrive if the Doctor was conspicuously absent for most of the episode. The fourth episode of the season, "73 Yards," became the perfect candidate for rechristening as a "Doctor-lite" episode.
"I'm a huge fan of a Doctor-lite episode. And let's be honest, if Ncuti were available, we wouldn't have attempted a Doctor-lite episode in season one," Davies admitted. "The irony, though, was that this idea had been lurking in my mind for years, involving the Doctor and his companion leaving the TARDIS and observing someone in the distance. But with two characters, I couldn't make it work. So with a Doctor-lite format, where the focus was on Ruby, the concept unfolded more fluidly."
This sequence of episodes presented an intriguing dynamic for Gatwa and fellow newcomer Millie Gibson during their rookie season. After a solo showcase in "Boom," where Gatwa dominated thanks to a bomb-stricken scenario, Gibson took center stage in "73 Yards," followed by a brief appearance in "Dot and Bubble" during the climax, where they were otherwise kept virtual throughout the episode.
Given the rave reviews for "73 Yards" and "Boom," this risky maneuver was undoubtedly a worthwhile gamble.
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"Doctor-lite" episodes are often employed to handle production costs or accommodate scheduling conflicts, allowing the series to proceed while prioritizing the main character's availability. The concept has been used in Doctor Who since the show's revival in 2005 and was featured in the Clara Oswald (Jenna Coleman) era. These episodes typically focus on the companions, allowing the show to maintain its narrative while addressing logistical challenges.
In Gatwa's first season, "Doctor-lite" episodes presented a unique challenge due to scheduling conflicts with Sex Education. However, the risk paid off, resulting in standout episodes such as "Boom" and "73 Yards," which showcased Gatwa's and Gibson's acting prowess. Other highlights of the season included the introduction of space babies, Chuldurs, and the return of the Classic Who villain Sutekh. The season was generally well-received by fans, and Gatwa is set to reprise his role for the next season.
- The Doctor, played by Ncuti Gatwa, will be making a return in 2024, despite his scheduling conflicts with the final season of Netflix's Sex Education.
- This scheduling issue led to the revival of a concept known as "Doctor-lite" episodes, which were first introduced in the show's revival in 2005.
- In Gatwa's first season, these "Doctor-lite" episodes presented a unique challenge but led to standout performances, particularly in episodes like "Boom" and "73 Yards".
- While the Doctor may be largely absent, audiences can still look forward to future seasons of Doctor Who, with leaks hinting at the introduction of space babies, Chuldurs, and the return of Classic Who villain Sutekh.
