While 2023 was a big year for Ncuti Gatwa, the star is set to have an even bigger 2024 thanks to both Doctor Who and Masters of the Air. Aside from Gillian Anderson and Asa Butterfield, who were well-known before the Netflix series debuted in 2019, Sex Education otherwise turned out to be a major proving ground for future stars. Emma Mackey rose to stardom thanks to her role as Maeve Wiley while Connor Swindells has appeared in major comedies like Barbie and Emma since playing Adam Groff in the dramaedy. However, no one has had a bigger Sex Education success story than Ncuti Gatwa.
Gatwa parlayed his role as Eric on the Netflix hit into playing the 15th incarnation of Doctor Who, a gig that could instantly catapult him to superstardom. The cult series Doctor Who has been on the air for decades and has maintained a huge fan base throughout its long life, meaning Gatwa will soon be introduced to a swathe of new viewers. However, the actor hasn’t been resting on his laurels since securing the role. Gatwa also gained a cameo role in Barbie, further increasing his mainstream fame. Now, 2024 is set to be the actor’s biggest year yet as he juggles not one, but two, high profile roles.
Ncuti Gatwa Is Starring In Two Of 2024’s Biggest Shows
Not only is Ncuti Gatwa set to star as the Fifteenth Doctor in 2024 after his debut in late 2023, but he will also be starring in Masters of the Air as 2nd Lt. Robert Daniels. Masters of the Air is based on the book of the same name by Donald L Miller and will serve as a sequel to Band of Brothers and The Pacific. The show focuses on the U.S. Army Air Force’s 100th Bombardment Group, and the miniseries includes a lineup of stars that rivals the cast list of Band of Brothers: Barry Keoghan, Austin Butler, and Bel Powley will all appear alongside Gatwa in the miniseries.
The solemn historical drama of Masters of the Air will be a major tonal shift for the star’s screen career, with most of Gatwa’s earlier roles leaning into his considerable comedy chops. Luckily, fans of the actor’s lighter side won’t struggle to find fun in his 2024 roles. The always campy Doctor Who is a role that was tailor-made for Gatwa, who managed to imbue Sex Education’s Eric with a real sense of felt humanity despite the more outlandish elements of his character. With any luck, Gatwa’s Doctor Who incarnation could be the best blend of the character’s comedy and drama elements since David Tennant’s reign.
Why Ncuti Gatwa’s Acting Career Will Only Get Bigger
Although 2023 did see Sex Education come to an end, the year also saw Ncuti Gatwa appear in one of its biggest blockbusters. Now his career is getting even bigger thanks to Doctor Who and Masters of the Air, and the star’s rise will likely only continue further in the future. After all, Masters of the Air and Doctor Who prove that Gatwa can handle both serious dramatic roles and family-friendly franchises, while Sex Education shows that he is unafraid of edgier material. As such, there is nothing to stop Ncuti Gatwa from becoming a bonafide A-list star with 2024’s Masters of the Air and Doctor Who.
