More than 60 years after its creation, the cult British science fiction series Doctor Who gets a makeover: new Doctor, new companion, new platform, and possibly, new audience. But how do you reinvent a character, who also has the ability to regenerate by himself, for the umpteenth time?
The new season of Doctor Who, which will be released on May 10, is one full of firsts. First of all, it will be entirely led by the Rwandan-Scottish actor Ncuti Gatwa (Sex Education, barbie) in the role of the Doctor (the fifteenth) with, at his side, the Englishwoman Millie Gibson (Coronation Street) in the role of Ruby Sunday, his new interstellar travel companion.
This is also the first season broadcast on Disney+, after the launch on the platform of the special episodes of the 60e birthday last December. Between 1963 and 2022, the BBC still held exclusive rights to premiere episodes, before they were sent to their global partners. Now, on Disney+, the whole world will be able to join the TARDIS at the same time, every week.
Quite a first, therefore, for the two actors. ” That’s exciting ! » immediately summarizes Ncuti Gatwa, in an interview with The duty. “It’s an open door to new fans. No one will have to wait until the day after the broadcast [en Grande-Bretagne], to search through the TV channels, to be able to watch the episode. »
As it turns out, this season is not the 14the seriesif we follow the count since his return in 2005. This will be the first season, we are told. It is therefore a real return to zero for Doctor Whoin the hope of introducing it to a new audience – younger, certainly, but also, who do not need to immerse themselves in the immensity of previous seasons to be able to enjoy the adventures of the Time Lord.
The 60 years of history that will precede this new season should not scare the curious, adds the actor. “It doesn’t matter, we’ll explain everything to you!” We’ll keep you updated from the first episode, don’t worry. »
The Return of Captain Davies
“It’s a bit the same thing as what Russell T. Davies did, with Christopher Eccleston and Billie Piper,” adds Millie Gibson in an interview, referring to the first season of the renewal of Doctor Who, in 2005. Eccleston then played the Ninth Doctor, and Piper played the famous Rose Tyler alongside him. “There is a new energy, like back then. »
Russell T. Davies, screenwriter and executive producer of the first seasons of the series, which was renewed in 2005, is back in the role for this new era, after leaving the show in 2010.
His time at the head of Doctor Who was especially marked by the passage of David Tennant (Good Omens) in the lead role, which propelled the show’s popularity in Britain and among local geeks. “Christopher Eccleston was my first Doctor. But David Tennant is the Doctor of my heart,” also confides Ncuti Gatwa. “For me, he represents the Doctor of my adolescence. »
To take part in the series, above all, alongside the one who orchestrated the strong comeback of this cultural institution, is an honor, he confirms. “We are so lucky!” Russell T. Davies, in addition to being an excellent screenwriter, is also one of the greatest Whovians in existence. No one knows the heart of this story as deeply as he does. He’s the best captain we could have. »
An “optimistic” season
“Captain” Davies has also signed six of the eight episodes of the season which will be released in the coming weeks. We will also witness the return of Steven Moffat (Sherlock) at the writing table, who had steered the ship from Russell T. Davies’ departure in 2010 until 2017.
The tone of these new adventures is “more optimistic,” Mr. Davies confided to the BBC, the show’s parent channel, last month. In the episodes which will be available on Friday, this atmosphere is already felt: we notably witness a meeting with the Beatles, an enemy who aspires to erase music on Earth, and also… babies lost in space. Nothing less.
Ncuti Gatwa’s Doctor is eccentric, vibrant, a great charmer, and a bit more edgy than his predecessors. Alone, he embodies the character’s millennium of adventures and dramas, but conceals a renewed, luminous and trendy youthfulness, without falling into any cliché.
At her side, Millie Gibson plays a Ruby Sunday full of confidence and curiosity, which shows all the talent of the young actress. Together, they form a pair who have “a lot of fun, and who have a very beautiful friendship », describes Ncuti Gatwa. “Also, the story of Ruby Sunday really forms the narrative thread of the season. »
The Doctor’s friendship provides, in return, “a lot of hope” for Ruby, says Millie Gibson. “A lot of comfort, too. Meeting the Doctor gives her a feeling that she is not alone in the world. And that’s also the heart of Doctor Who ; it is a refuge for underdogs. »
The first two episodes of Doctor Who will be available on May 10 at 7 p.m. on Disney+. A new episode will be added every Friday.