Idris Elba doesn't want Ncuti Gatwa to be known as 'the black Doctor Who'

dailyrecord.co.uk:

Hollywood star Idris Elba doesn’t want Ncuti Gatwa to be known as “the black Doctor”.The Scot, born in Rwanda but who moved to Scotland when he was two and was brought up in Edinburgh and Dunfermline, took over from David Tennant as the Fifteenth Doctor on Saturday.He became the first black actor in the lead role and his first full episode in charge will be on Christmas Day.Earlier this month Ncuti, 31, claimed he would be bringing his “beautiful blackness” to the role.But Luther and Wire star Idris wants people to recognise Ncuti for his talent, not his skin colour, something he also went through when he was favourite to become the new James Bond.Idris said: “I don’t think the fact he is black makes any difference at all.

It doesn’t even need to be mentioned.“It’s like when I was being linked with the Bond role. I was getting called the ‘first black Bond’ when in truth my colour had nothing to do with if I was suitable for the role or not.“Don’t call Ncuti ‘the black Doctor’ as it insinuates that it had anything to do with him getting the job.

He got the job because he was the best qualified to play The Doctor – and that it what we need to be talking about.“It’s great for Ncuti that he has got one of the most iconic roles on British TV and I am sure he is going to smash it.”While Ncuti is safely in his role as The Doctor, the hunt for the new Bond is still ongoing.

Daniel Craig quit after his fifth film, 2021’s No Time to Die.Idris, 51, was an early favourite to take over but admitted he was put off competing for it as the debate about him playing 007 was dominated by race.He made his point by stating that while Sean Connery is his “ultimate” Bond the Edinburgh-born acting legend is never called “the Scottish Bond”.Idri