Matt Smith reveals reaction to Ncuti Gatwa's casting in Doctor Who
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Matt Smith has revealed his reaction to Ncuti Gatwa's casting on Doctor Who.
The Crown star famously played the Eleventh Doctor on the BBC sci-fi series, while Gatwa is the latest star to take on the iconic role, having been announced back in 2022 before making his debut last year.
Speaking on this morning's (February 7) Today programme, Smith praised the new Doctor, revealing: “I always keep my eye on Doctor Who. I think [Ncuti’s] great, he’s totally made for it.”
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Opening up further about his initial reaction to the casting, the star recalled: “I dropped him a line and said ‘well done’."
Smith previously shared his praise over Gatwa's casting, calling it "sensational", though later added that "he doesn't need my advice".
Previous Doctors Jodie Whittaker and David Tennant also shared their support for the star, Gatwa revealing that he received a call from the two stars at the time.
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The actor recalled that Whittaker told him to "embrace the madness", further telling Empire: "Thank God for that call on that day. Because it was such a huge day for me, and they just wrapped me up in warmth like a welcome blanket."
Peter Capaldi also shared his praise for Gatwa, telling STV back in 2022: "What a great story – a little boy whose family escaped from the genocide in Rwanda in 1994 and at age two, finds refuge in Scotland, where he grows up to become Doctor Who.
"That's a story to be proud. With his huge talent and heart, I know Ncuti will make an amazing Doctor. How exciting."
Gatwa made his debut in a bi-regeneration twist with Tennant's Fourteenth Doctor, and later starred in his first full episode over Christmas in 'The Church on Ruby Road'. His first full series is expected to debut in May.
Doctor Who will return for its 14th series in May, airing on BBC One in the UK and Disney+ elsewhere. Classic episodes of Doctor Who are available on BBC iPlayer in the UK.
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