Rumor Has It Ncuti Gatwa Eyes Hollywood Over ‘Doctor Who’ Series 3

Big changes might be coming to the TARDIS. Word on the street is that Ncuti Gatwa, the current Doctor in ‘Doctor Who,’ could be stepping away after his second series. Industry insider DanielRPK dropped this bombshell on his Patreon, claiming Gatwa’s got his sights set on a bigger prize—Hollywood. If true, it’s a bold shift for the actor who’s only just started wielding the sonic screwdriver.

Gatwa took over as the Fifteenth Doctor in 2023, following Jodie Whittaker’s exit. His first full series aired last year, and I’ve got to say, he brought a fresh energy to the role. Born in Rwanda and raised in Scotland, he’s already made a name for himself with standout performances—like playing Eric in ‘Sex Education’ on Netflix and popping up as a Ken in the 2023 ‘Barbie’ movie alongside Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling. That film was a massive hit, raking in over a billion dollars at the box office, so it’s no surprise he might be itching for more of that spotlight.

According to the rumor, Gatwa filmed a regeneration scene earlier this year during pick-up shoots for his upcoming second series, set to air in May 2025. Regeneration is a big deal in ‘Doctor Who’—it’s how the Doctor changes faces, letting a new actor step in. If he’s already shot that, it could mean his time as the Time Lord is wrapping up sooner than we expected. The show’s team hasn’t confirmed anything yet, but the rumor suggests his exit might leave the ‘Whoniverse’ in a bit of a holding pattern.

‘Doctor Who’ has been a British staple since 1963, following the adventures of a time-traveling alien who explores the universe with companions in a blue police box called the TARDIS. Gatwa’s run kicked off with a splash, thanks to a new deal between the BBC and Disney+ that brought the show to a global audience. His first series had him teaming up with Millie Gibson as Ruby Sunday, and the next one will introduce Varada Sethu as a new companion named Belinda Chandra. But despite the buzz, the rumor claims it hasn’t been the runaway success everyone hoped for, even if it’s still got a loyal crowd tuning in.

So, what’s pulling Gatwa toward Hollywood? He’s already got some juicy projects in the works. Right now, he’s filming ‘The Roses,’ a dark comedy with Benedict Cumberbatch and Olivia Colman—two heavy hitters who’ve starred in everything from ‘Sherlock’ to ‘The Crown.’ It’s a remake of a 1989 film with Michael Douglas and Kathleen Turner, about a couple whose perfect life unravels after a divorce. That alone sounds like a step up to the big leagues. Plus, with his ‘Barbie’ cred, it’s easy to see why he might want to chase more blockbuster roles.

The ‘Whoniverse’—that’s what they call the whole ‘Doctor Who’ world—might be hitting pause if Gatwa walks away. Plans for spin-offs and future seasons could be stuck until they figure out what’s next. Showrunner Russell T Davies, who returned to steer the ship after running it back in the David Tennant days, has kept quiet on this. Back in the 2000s, the show pulled in huge numbers—sometimes over 8 million viewers. These days, it’s closer to 4 million, though it’s still doing well with younger folks. Still, if the lead actor’s out, it’s hard to keep the momentum going.

For now, it’s all just talk. Nothing’s set in stone, and I wouldn’t count Gatwa out of the TARDIS just yet. But if he does regenerate and head to Hollywood, it’ll be a quick stint as the Doctor—shorter than most modern Doctors, who usually stick around for three series. Whether he’s off to fight Daleks or chase Oscars, one thing’s clear: Ncuti Gatwa’s not slowing down anytime soon. We’ll have to wait and see if the rumor holds up when series 2 drops next spring.