One actor whose name was similarly discussed is Omari Douglas, best known for playing Roscoe Babatunde in Davies' Channel 4 series It's A Sin.
RadioTimes.com caught up with Douglas on the red carpet at the BAFTA TV Awards, and asked him about the speculation that he was going to be playing the Doctor, to which he responded: "To be honest, when people were saying that it was going to be me, it was news to me."
Ncuti Gatwa BBC
However, when asked if he would be interested in a different role on the show, he said: "I'd love to play a weird scary alien. Yeah. I'd love to, like, get in a full prosthetic and be something a bit creepy. Let's put it out there."
Douglas previously addressed the rumours that he was going to play the next Doctor before Gatwa was cast, saying "it would be an honour" to take on the role.
On the BAFTA red carpet he raved about Gatwa's casting, calling him "incredibly talented".
"We came from similar theatre communities and so I'm so chuffed that Jodie's going to be passing the baton on to him," Douglas continued.
"He's more than ready to be doing something like this. And he's gonna pave the way for so many more brilliant people. And I think Russell, I think him and Russell together will make something really special."
Douglas joins a whole host of celebrities to praise Gatwa's casting, with former Doctors Matt Smith and Sylvester McCoy both expressing their delight at the news he will take on the role.
Meanwhile, Douglas will take part in a special It’s A Sin panel and Q&A alongside co-stars Callum Scott Howells and David Carlyle, writer Russell T Davies and executive producer Nicola Shindler at this year's BFI & Radio Times Television Festival later this month – you can book tickets here.
Additional reporting by Lauren Morris.
Doctor Who is available to stream on BBC iPlayer. For more, check out our dedicated Sci-Fi page or our full TV Guide.
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James Hibbs is a Drama Writer for Radio Times, covering programmes across both streaming platforms and linear channels. He previously worked in PR, first for a B2B agency and subsequently for international TV production company Fremantle. He possesses a BA in English and Theatre Studies and an NCTJ Level 5 Diploma in Journalism.
