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Former Doctor Who stars have extended their well wishes to Sex Education<\/a>\u2018s Ncuti Gatwa, who has been confirmed as taking over the lead role on the show.<\/p>\n Ever since news broke that Jodie Whittaker\u2019s Thirteenth Doctor would be regenerating in the upcoming BBC centenary special<\/a>, fans have been avidly speculating as to who will be piloting the TARDIS next.<\/p>\n Among the most widely touted names were members of the It\u2019s A Sin cast<\/a>, the previous project that returning showrunner Russell T Davies worked on, meaning Gatwa\u2019s announcement came out of the blue<\/a> \u2013 but Whovians are thrilled.<\/p>\n Speaking at Paris Fan Festival<\/a> over the weekend, Matt Smith gave his verdict on the announcement, revealing he is firmly in favour of this new era for Doctor Who.<\/p>\n \u201cI think he\u2019s going to be brilliant,\u201d said Smith. \u201cI think he\u2019s going to be truly brilliant. I think it\u2019s an inspired piece of casting, and along with Russell, who\u2019s such a great leader of that show.<\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t know if you\u2019ve seen him in Sex Education, there\u2019s a warmth and wit and a real depth to his talent that I think\u2026 honestly, I think it\u2019s an inspired bit of casting and I\u2019m really, really excited for the show.\u201d<\/p> On social media, other Doctor Who alumni shared their reactions to the news, including the Seventh Doctor himself Sylvester McCoy, who said the following: \u201cWelcome Ncuti, and especially delighted to welcome another Scot!\u201d<\/p>\n Gatwa is the the fourth Scottish actor to play the Doctor, following in the footsteps of McCoy, David Tennant and Peter Capaldi, while he is also the first Black man to take on the role.<\/p>\n Georgia Tennant, who plays the Doctor\u2019s daughter Jenny<\/a> on both television and in Big Finish audio adventures, responded to Gatwa\u2019s casting quite simply by posting: \u201cHello Dad.\u201d<\/p>\n Hello Dad. https:\/\/t.co\/VXmGdanXTc<\/a><\/p>\u2014 Georgia Tennant (@georgiaEtennant) May 8, 2022<\/a><\/blockquote>