Ncuti Gatwa has shared his story from being homeless in London, to bagging the role of a lifetime.
Ncuti Gatwa has been cast as the 14th Doctor Who, which is an incredible privilege. But he has had to work from the very bottom to get where he is today…
Gatwa, who plays Eric Effiong in the hit Netflix show, Sex Education, opened up to The Big Issue sharing that he “didn’t have a home” for “five months” before he got the role, and is now a household name.
He explained: “I am from Scotland and moved down to London when I was 21. I was working constantly – and at some good places.
“I spent a year at the Globe Theatre, I did a lot of work at Kneehigh, who are a physical theatre company.
“But you have to feed yourself,” he added. “You have to get to work, with rent, bills, travel, days off from temping to go to an audition. I couldn’t seem to handle it all financially.”
He continued: “I was supposed to move into a new place and it fell through. So for five months before Sex Education, I was couch-surfing among all my friends. I didn’t have a home. I was homeless.
“The only thing stopping me from being on the streets was the fact I had friends. But you can use up that goodwill. Or you feel scared to ask people for help. Your pride kicks in.”
He shared: “I was thinking it was so mad, because if someone was to see me on the street – on my way to temping at Harrods in my trench coat and brogues because you have to be so well-polished and look the part.
“They would never believe I was about to spend two hours on the phone to people trying to find where I could sleep that night. I couldn’t believe I was homeless and working in Harrods. How many people must be going through this in London?”
But all his hard work paid off, and he has now been cast as the Doctor in Doctor Who.
Talking about being cast in the role, Gatwa said: “There aren’t quite the words to describe how I’m feeling. A mix of deeply honored, beyond excited, and of course a little bit scared.
“This role and show means so much to so many around the world, including myself, and each one of my incredibly talented predecessors has handled that unique responsibility and privilege with the utmost care.”
He concluded: “I will endeavor my utmost to do the same.”
Gatwa is truly incredible.