Stay Alert! For the return of Doctor Who: What do we know?

It was a surprising twist in the casting: we all knew Ncuti Gatwa was taking over the role from Jodie Whitaker to become the 15th Doctor; but when the Doctor regenerated... it was David Tennant.

Photo: BBC

'Doctor Who' returned in November with three special episodes, starring David Tennant as the Doctor before the 'new' Doctor takes over at Christmas.

The 'Dr Who' special trailer has dropped online and David Tennant stars with Catherine Tate in a 3 episode special featuring the Toymaker, who many Dr Who fans have never met. We last saw this villain in 1966.

“This is just the start, as the fever starts to burn. We’re heading for a November full of Doctor Who surprises, for fans and new viewers alike. Stay alert!” says Showrunner Russell T Davies.

Photo: BBC

At the end of the online trailer, we do see the new Doctor Ncuti Gatwa at the end, suggesting he will be around. And we know he will be on our screens for the traditional 'Doctor Who' Christmas special.

And he's coming to us suave and vintage! This photo released by the BBC shows The Doctor and his new side-kick wearing 1960's clothing and looking simply amazing.

Photo: BBC

Even though it is likely we will see Gatwa soon, fans were left confused when the Doctor transformed into their latest new face, only to reveal a previous Doctor and not the one we were promised.

Photo: BBC

Season 14 of Doctor Who will premiere Nov. 23, 2023. The date has particular significance, because it is the 60th anniversary of the show and characters from the past will celebrate with a brand new Dr Who.

Forget the Christmas pudding. It not Christmas for me until I have watched the Christmas special episode of Dr who.

Photo: BBC

Ncuti Gatwa was named the 14th Doctor and taking over the role from Jodie Whitaker. He was born in Rwanda and raised in Scotland, and is known for his role in Netflix's S e x Education.

Photo: BBC

In 2018, he rose to global stardom overnight thanks to Eric Effiong, his character in 'Sex Education' (Netflix). But as of May 2022, Ncuti Gatwa will be remembered for being the 14th Doctor Who.

Photo: Netflix

The actor, born in Rwanda but raised in Edinburgh, Scotland, has been chosen by the BBC to replace Jodie Whittaker at the helm of a legendary series that premiered in November 1963.

Photo: Instagram - @bbc

"I may only have one heart but I'm going to give my all for this show," said the actor, minutes after the BBC announced the news. Now that we are months away from the show's airing, we would like to know where he comes from and who Ncuti Gatwa is.

Photo: Instagram - @bbc

Netflix has not only made him one of television's most acclaimed actors, but also a global fashion icon. It hasn't all been plain sailing for the actor, though. He had a tough time growing up.

Photo: Netflix

Born in 1992 in Rwanda, Ncuti Gatwa, when he was only two years old, his parents fled the Rwandan genocide and settled in Edinburgh, as the actor recalled to 'The Independent.'

"We were one of three black families in the whole of Edinburgh. I grew up in a working class neighbourhood and I always stood out because of my voice, my presence and doing dance and that sort of thing. But I was always confident in my talent and charm," he says.

Ncuti Gatwa always knew what he wanted to do in the future. He studied Drama at the Royal Conservatoire in Glasgow, Scotland.

Breaking on to the scene, his first two roles were in the series 'Bob Servant' (2014) and 'Stonemouth' (2015).

In addition, Ncuti Gatwa also had important roles in theatre, such as Demetrius in 'A Midsummer Night's Dream' at Shakespeare's Globe in London.

It wouldn't be until 2018 that Eric Effiong would change his life. A leading character, the best friend of Otis (Asa Butterfield) and openly gay. It was a magnificent script and Ncuti Gatwa has done himself proud in every season of the series.

Photo: Netflix

In fact, Ncuti Gatwa has been nominated several times at the BAFTA Awards for his role in the Netflix series.

With  his ove to 'Doctor Who,' the actor's career has radically changed. Eric Effiong is a generational character, but the Doctor is a character of legend. Ncuti Gatwa is aware of the responsibility that comes with it.

Photo: Netflix

"There are no words to describe how I feel. It's a mixture of deep honour, excitement and a little bit of fear," he told the BBC after his appointment. Here he is pictured with Russell T. Davies, who will return as showrunner following Chris Chibnall's departure.

Photo: Instagram - @russelltdavies63

In addition, Ncuti Gatwa will be the first black actor to play Doctor Who, after 13 predecessors at the helm of the Tardis.

Photo: Instagram - @ncutigatwa

By just a few months, the actor is not the youngest actor to play the Doctor. He is beaten to that honour by Matt Smith, who got the role at 28. Ncuti Gatwa is currently 29. And yes, that hasn't stopped him from playing a high school student.

Interestingly, while Ncuti Gatwa takes over the Tardis, he was also working on another spectacular project, the Greta Gerwig-directed 'Barbie' movie.

Photo: Netflix

With the likes of Margot Robbie, Ryan Gosling and Simu Liu in the cast, Ncuti Gatwa was reunited with two 'Sex Education' co-stars and friends: Emma McKey (Maeve) and Connor Swindells (Adam).

Photo: Instagram - @ncutigatwa

But before his debut, it's time to give David Tennant a fitting farewell (again) as his last episode will air at Christmas time.