EXCLUSIVE
DOCTOR WHO
Russell T. Davies, Ncuti Gatwa and Millie Gibson open up…
In 2023, Doctor Who capped its 60th-anniversary celebrations by kicking 10th/14th Doctor David Tennant out of the TARDIS. Now, after battling goblins in Christmas special The Church on Ruby Road, it’s time for Doc 15 Ncuti Gatwa (Sex Education) and Millie Gibson – co-traveller Ruby Sunday – to take over. Their first season honours Doctor Who’s past by embracing the show’s self-regenerating drive, as the duo rocket from space stations to 60s London between opening two episodes Space Babies and The Devil’s Chord alone. But what secrets do their pasts hold as they time travel on? Teasers speaks to Gatwa, Gibson and showrunner Russell T. Davies about new beginnings…
The Doctor and Ruby had an adventure at Christmas but it was so swift, they hardly got to know each other…
MILLIE GIBSON I didn’t even clock that we hadn’t got to know one another, we had such a whirlwind with the goblins. Space Babies is where we start to care and know about one another’s past and get close.
NCUTI GATWA It’s an exercise of trust that we go on a trip together.
It feels like we’ve known each other for multiple lifetimes in Space Babies, like they’re similar lost children – and then they start to learn about each other.
The chemistry felt immediate in The Church on Ruby Road. Was it in the chemistry read?
RUSSELL T. DAVIES You could just stand back while they read the scene and watch sparks fly. And it’s been that way ever since.
NG When Millie walked into the room, I instantly thought, ‘That’s Ruby.’ We were all so charmed and the chemistry started bouncing off each other. We’re lucky to work with her.
RTD The truth is, sometimes you put two brilliant people together and they’ll be brilliant.
Ncuti, there was an eagerness to how your Doctor took charge of the TARDIS last year. Is that crucial to a role with so many previous incumbents?
NG We’ve never had a situation like that, with the ‘bigeneration’ [the Doctor splits in two]. My Doctor’s born raring to go. He’s created another TARDIS, so he’s like, ‘I’m off to save the universe and have some fun.’ I don’t know that it’s an eagerness to take ownership but that situation brings a certain energy out of you. Led by Russell’s writing, my Doctor has a lot of energy and eagerness to get cracking.
RTD The amount we talk about previous Doctors on set is zero. They’re wonderful people but Doctor Who exists in the present and future. There’s a roster of wonderful companions behind us, too… Doctor Who has moments where it looks back but it’s more exciting to look forward.
Millie, what is the companion’s importance for you?
MG It’s weir
