Ncuti Gatwa facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Ncuti Gatwa
Gatwa in 2024
Born	Mizero Ncuti Gatwa (1992-10-15) 15 October 1992 (age 32) Nyarugenge, Kigali, Rwanda
Citizenship	Rwanda United Kingdom
Education	Royal Conservatoire of Scotland (BA)
Occupation	Actor
Years active	2013–present

Mizero Ncuti Gatwa (born 15 October 1992) is a talented Rwandan-Scottish actor. He became well-known for playing Eric Effiong in the TV series ... Education (2019–2023). He then gained even more fame as the Fifteenth Doctor in Doctor Who (2023–2025).

Ncuti started his acting journey on stage at the Dundee Repertory Theatre. He was even nominated for an award for his role as Mercutio in a 2014 play called Romeo & Juliet.

Early Life and Education

Ncuti Gatwa was born in Nyarugenge, Kigali, Rwanda, on 15 October 1992. His father, Tharcisse Gatwa, is a journalist from Rwanda.

Ncuti's family moved from Rwanda to Scotland during the 1994 genocide. They first lived in Edinburgh and later moved to Dunfermline when he was 15. Ncuti went to Boroughmuir High School and Dunfermline High School. He then moved to Glasgow to study acting at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland. He earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in Acting in 2013. While studying, he worked at a club called The Polo Lounge. The Conservatoire later gave him an honorary doctorate in 2022.

Career Highlights

Early Stage Work and Breakthrough with ... Education

Gatwa in 2019

After finishing his studies, Ncuti joined the Dundee Repertory Theatre. He acted in several plays there, including Victoria. Around this time, he had an accident where his jaw was fractured, but it was fixed. He also had a small role in the 2014 TV show Bob Servant. In 2014, Ncuti was recognized for his performance as Mercutio in Romeo and Juliet at Home, Manchester.

In 2015, he appeared in the TV miniseries Stonemouth. That same year, he performed in a play called 946: The Amazing Story of Adolphus Tips. This play was about a large practice for the D-Day landings in 1944. In 2016, Ncuti played Demetrius in A Midsummer Night's Dream at Shakespeare's Globe.

In May 2018, Ncuti was chosen for the Netflix comedy-drama series ... Education. He played the character Eric Effiong. The show was released in 2019 and became very popular. Before getting this role, Ncuti had been without a permanent home for five months. Critics praised Ncuti's acting as Eric. He won a BAFTA Scotland Award for Best Actor in Television in 2020. He also received three nominations for the BAFTA Television Award for Best Male Comedy Performance.

In April 2022, Ncuti was cast in Greta Gerwig's movie Barbie. He performed a part of Romeo and Juliet at the 2023 Coronation Concert. He was also named the top person on the Radio Times's TV 100 power list in 2023.

Becoming the Doctor in Doctor Who

Ncuti Gatwa as the Fifteenth Doctor

In May 2022, it was announced that Ncuti Gatwa would be the new Doctor in Doctor Who. He took over the role from Jodie Whittaker. Ncuti was the first Black actor to lead the series. He was also the fourth Scottish actor and the first actor born outside the United Kingdom to play the Doctor.

He first appeared in "The Giggle" on 9 December 2023. This was one of the 60th anniversary specials. His first full episode as the Doctor was "The Church on Ruby Road" on Christmas Day 2023. This was followed by the show's fourteenth series. Critics have highly praised his performance in Doctor Who. Many writers called his acting "amazing" and "mesmerizing". Some believe he is "bringing Doctor Who into a new era."

In May 2025, it was confirmed that Ncuti Gatwa would leave his role as the Doctor. He starred in 18 episodes across two seasons between 2023 and 2025.

Recent Stage Work

In November 2024, Ncuti Gatwa appeared in the play The Importance of Being Earnest at the National Theatre in London. He played the character Algernon Moncrieff. This play was also shown in cinemas around the world.

In April 2025, it was announced that Ncuti would star as Christopher Marlowe in a new play called Born With Teeth. This play will be at the Wyndham's Theatre in London's West End starting in August 2025.

Personal Life

Ncuti Gatwa has shared that he is inspired by his work and by meeting other people from Rwanda. He believes in astrology and is a Libra.

Acting Credits

Film

Television

Theatre

Audio

Video games

Awards and Nominations

See also

In Spanish: Ncuti Gatwa para niños

• List of British actors
• List of Scottish actors