Doctor Who star Gatwa tells racist trolls to get a hobby

DOCTOR Who’s Ncuti Gatwa has described the racist backlash to news he had been cast in the lead role as “fascinating”.

The Sex Education and Barbie star (31) is the first black person to play the character and will make his debut next month.

He told Attitude magazine the “hate” the show had received was interesting.

“It is kind of fascinating to me because there’s so much energy they’re putting into it... they need to find a hobby,” he added.

“But another thing is that we do see a shift happening in casting, in positions of power and in the status quo.

“I mean, not a fast shift — things could tip the other way a little bit quicker — but you see people kind of malfunctioning because things are changing.

“The Doctor is constantly fighting for every life, even his villains.

“He shows mercy and compassion to all because he understands there’s a need for [it] and that we need each other.

“It’s really nice to have a show like Doctor Who running after all these years.”

Gatwa also hit out at politicians for creating an atmosphere in which abusive behaviour could flourish.

“Everything trickles down from the top, and when you see politicians attacking marginalised communities, when you see our politicians openly attacking trans people, it makes it okay for everyone else,” he said.

“It is scary to see that we’ve got to a point where it is fine to attack vulnerable people.

“That’s essentially what’s happening. People who are the most vulnerable, the most disenfranchised, the most disconnected from everyone else, are being told they are the threats.

“It’s sick because it’s a hiding away of your own ineptitude.

“You’re going to put the blame on immigrants, black and brown people, trans people, queer people, to hide the fact that you are not doing anything for people?

“It’s easier to just create discord amongst people. It’s divide and conquer, isn’t it?”

The actor also discussed coming to terms with his own prejudices after finding fame.

“I didn’t really realise I had any internalised homophobia until I came into the public eye”, he said.

“I always thought that I was the most free-spirited person. No one could tell me what to do. I do whatever I want.

“Until I came into the public eye (and) I was like, ‘Oh, I don’t know’. It is an ever-evolving journey.

“What I can do is try each day to tackle that and become more proud of who I am, but it’s a long old slog.”

Doctor Who will return with a double bill on May 11.

The first episode, Space Babies, follows the Doctor and his companion, Ruby Sunday (played by Millie Gibson), as they take their first adventure in the Tardis together.