Just over a dozen people have played the role of the Doctor on Doctor Who, and everytime the baton gets handed off it's a big deal. Recently, Sex Education star Ncuti Gatwa made his debut as the Fifteenth Doctor in the show's latest Christmas special, and will continue on in the role in a brand new batch of episodes to start airing in May.
The few people who have played the Doctor over the years are a pretty tight-knit group, and usually go out of their way to welcome the newest member. According to Deadline, when Jodie Whittaker was cast as the Thirteength Doctor, Eleventh Doctor actor Matt Smith called her up and sung her the Doctor Who theme music, which was confusing for her. (I would love to hear a recording of that call.)
When Gatwa was cast, Smith was more direct. “I dropped him a line and said ‘well done,’” said said on Today on the BBC. “I always keep my eye on Doctor Who. I think great for it, he’s totally made for it.”
Smith played the the Doctor for three seasons and handful of specials between 2010 and 2013. The role helped make him a household name and get him the role on Netflix's lavish historical drama The Crown, where he played a young Prince Philip for the first two seasons. Smith also said he "keeps an eye" on that show, which just wrapped up with its sixth season late last year, but "doesn't really watch" the episodes. “I have not kept up to date with it but I’m proud to be part of it,” he said.
From there, Smith went on to play the unpredictable Daemon Targaryen on HBO Game of Thrones prequel series House of the Dragon, which is returning for another round of high-flying, fire-breathing drama this summer.
“I dropped him a line and said ‘well done’,” said Smith. “I always keep my eye onDoctor Who. I think great for it, he’s totally made for it.”
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