Ncuti Gatwa Leaves Doctor Who and Regenerates into Billie Piper

Ncuti Gatwa, the actor who played the Fifteenth Doctor will leave the role as Series 15 of ‘Doctor Who’ wraps up on the BBC and Disney+. 

Gatwa regenerates into actress Billie Piper, who previously played companion Rose Tyler alongside Christopher Eccleston and David Tennant in Series 1 (2005) and Series 2 (2006). 

Piper also made a brief appearance in Series 4 (2008) and the 50th anniversary special in 2013.

At the end of the final episode of Series 15, titled ‘The Reality War’, a credit comes up that reads: “Ncuti Gatwa as the Doctor. Jodie Whittaker as the Doctor. And introducing Billie Piper.”

In a statement shared with the BBC, Piper explained that fans would have to wait a little longer to find out what was truly happening.

“It’s no secret how much I love this show, and I have always said I would love to return to the Whoniverse as I have some of my best memories there, so to be given the opportunity to step back on that Tardis one more time was just something I couldn’t refuse, but who, how, why and when, you’ll just have to wait and see.”

Gatwa’s exit from the role has been rumoured since before the start of season, but have gained strength as ratings of the show fell. 

Gatwa has been in the role for the second shortest time, only staying one more season that Christopher Eccleston. 

Companions Millie Gibson and Varada Sethu joined Gatwa on his trip through space and time, with Gatwa being the first openly queer Black actor to take on the role. 

Russell T Davies was showrunner, writer and executive producer for Series 2.

It’s unclear where ‘Doctor Who’ will go next, with no new series planned.