Earlier this May, the BBC announced the news about Sex Education’s Ncuti Gatwa cast in Doctor Who. Following the 13th Doctor as the first-ever Female Doctor, Ncuti will be the first-ever Black man to play the Doctor in the series. Ncuti Gatwa will be the 14th iteration of the pop culture icon. The news has sparked interest, curiosity, and excitement among many.

Thus, Real Research launched a survey on Ncuti Gatwa being cast in Doctor Who. The survey aims to find out the public’s reception of Ncuti Gatwa as the 14th Doctor.

Highlights

  • 57.20% have seen an episode of Doctor Who.
  • 67% chose Jodie Whittaker as their favorite Doctor.
  • 53.58% will watch Doctor Who for Ncuti Gatwa.

60.18% Prefer the Doctor Who 2005 Reboot for the Improved Effects

The survey began by asking respondents whether they had ever heard of the BBC series Doctor Who. 80.54% responded with ‘Yes’, while only 19.46% responded with ‘No.

Following that, the survey asked respondents whether they had actually watched Doctor Who. 57.20% responded with ‘Yes’, and that they were big fans. Meanwhile, 19.73% responded with ‘No’. Finally, 11.61% and 11.45% responded with ‘Yes’, but only ‘since 2005’, and ‘only a few seasons’, respectively.

Figure 1 Public opinion on the 2005 reboot vs the original 1963 run
Figure 1: Public opinion on the 2005 reboot vs the original 1963 run

The survey then asked respondents whether they preferred the 2005 reboot over the original 1963 run. 60.18% responded with ‘definitely’, because of the improved effects. Meanwhile, 22.47% responded that both versions have their own merits. Finally, 10.92% preferred the 2005 reboot for the diversity in actors, characters, and storylines.

50.58% Are Extremely Pleased With Ncuti Gatwa Being Cast in Doctor Who

Next, the survey asked respondents how they felt about Sex Education actor Ncuti Gatwa as the next face of Doctor Who for Season 14. 50.58% responded with ‘extremely pleased’. Meanwhile, 25.66% responded with ‘neutral’. Finally, 13.81% responded with simply ‘pleased’.

Figure 2: Respondents were mainly positive about Ncuti Gatwa cast in Doctor Who
Figure 2: Respondents were mainly positive about Ncuti Gatwa cast in Doctor Who

In reference to the 13th Doctor, the survey asked respondents whether Jodie Whittaker deserved a longer role as the Doctor. 67.02% responded with ‘Yes’, as she was the first-ever actress to play the role of the Doctor. 12.38% responded with ‘No’, as she had her time and people need to see more diversity. Finally, 11.79% said ‘No’, because she ‘wasn’t a good Doctor’ and ‘needed to go’.

The survey then asked respondents which among the 13 Doctor actors were their favorite. 43.05% responded with 13th Doctor, Jodie Whittaker. Meanwhile, 15.12% responded with the 10th Doctor, David Tennant. Finally, 11.97% suggested the 11th Doctor, Matt Smith.

59.44% Think Ncuti Gatwa Will Be Successful as the Next Doctor

Afterward, the survey asked respondents what else they wanted to see from Doctor Who in terms of diversity. 55.56% responded with ‘a woman of color’. Meanwhile, 14.46% responded with ‘more than 1 woman as the Doctor’. Finally, 11.91% responded with ‘a younger Doctor’.

Figure 3 Survey on whether respondents think Ncuti will be a successful Doctor Who
Figure 3: Survey on whether respondents think Ncuti will be a successful Doctor Who

The survey asked respondents whether they thought Ncuti Gatwa will be successful as the Doctor. 59.44% responded with ‘Yes’, and that Ncuti will be the new favorite. Meanwhile, 14.91% responded that Ncuti would do well, but would have to try hard to top his predecessors. Finally, 10.28% think Ncuti won’t do a good job.

Finally, the survey asked respondents whether they would watch Ncuti Gatwa as the 14th Doctor. 53.58% responded that they had never watched Doctor Who, but will watch it for Ncuti. Meanwhile, 16.92% responded that they will watch Doctor Who regardless of the actor. Finally, 10.71% responded that they have always been and continue to be uninterested in watching Doctor Who.

Methodology

 
Survey TitleNcuti Gatwa Being Cast at in Doctor Who Series
DurationMay 21 – May 28, 2022
Number of Participants50,000
DemographicsMales and females, aged 21 to 99
Participating Countries Afghanistan, Algeria, Angola, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Belarus, Benin, Bolivia, Brazil, Brunei, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Cambodia, Cameroon, Canada, Chile, China, China (Hong Kong) China (Macao), China (Taiwan), Colombia, Costa Rica, Croatia, Czech Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Ethiopia, Finland, France, Gambia, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Greanada, Guatemala, Honduras, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Iraq, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Ivory Coast, Japan, Jordan, Kenya, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Lebanon, Libya, Lithuania, Malaysia, Maldives, Maluritania, Mexico, Moldova, Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar [Burma], Namibia, Nepal, Nicaragua, Nigeria, Oman, Pakistan, Palestine, Panama, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Serbia, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Slovakia, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, Thailand, Togo, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Uganda, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, Venezuela, Vietnam, Yemen, Zimbabwe.