Actor Ncuti Gatwa is grateful to former “Doctor Who” star Jodie Whittaker for advising him to “embrace the madness” when he first joined the sci-fi series.
The “Sex Education” actor has taken on the role of the Fifteenth Doctor in the BBC series, and he has told how Whitaker and David Tennant — who recently returned to the show as the Fourteenth Doctor, after previously portraying the Tenth Doctor — gave him a call, which was like a “welcome blanket.”
“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,” he told Empire.
Gatwa — who made his “Who” debut on the recent 60th anniversary special episode “The Giggle” — was “wracked with nerves and anxiety” when he shot his first full season, which is already in the can, He said that he has been more relaxed and “far less stressed” while filming his second series.
“When I started filming season one, I was wracked with nerves and anxiety. I was very, very nervous and questioned everything I did. I’d always want another take,” the Barbie actor added. “Season two feels very fun, very enjoyable, very like it’s in my body. I’m far less stressed. I’m enjoying it now. Oh my God. This is actually the most fun role in the world!”
Gatwa recently admitted he has “no idea” if he will be on “Doctor Who” for the long haul.
During an interview with Radio Times, the actor was asked whether his time on the BBC show would go beyond the second season.
“No idea, no plan. I just know that I’m loving it and my love for it is growing,” he said.
