Ncuti Gatwa regenerates into Olly Alexander as the NT's ‘Importance of Being Earnest' transfers to London's West End
Ncuti Gatwa's time on Doctor Who proved to be pretty brief. But he didn't put his feet up in the gap between his two seasons – theatre was his first love and he got straight back on that stage last Christmas to star in the National Theatre's hallucinogenically camp take on Oscar Wilde's classic 'The Importance of Being Earnest', the first the NT had staged since the '80s.
The Max Webster-directed production was a roaring great hit and now it's set to transfer to the West End, replacing Mischief Theatre's ' The Comedy About Spies ' at the Noël Coward Theatre.
Gatwa's not coming along though: whether he'd have been up for it is a moot point, as he's already busy starring in the RSC's new West End play Born with Teeth.
However, a fine replacement has been found for the role of young 'bachelor' about town Algernon Montcrieff: it's Olly Alexander, who hasn't been in Doctor Who but did make his name as actor in ' It's A Sin ', another show by Russell T Davies.
Wilde's play is very much an ensemble affair and there is no news on further casting at this stage, though we dare to dream that the mighty Sharon D Clarke will return as the formidable Lady Bracknell.
If you want to know a little more about what the production was like last time, then read our four-star review here.
The best new London theatre shows to book for in 2025.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mirror
2 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
Doctor Who's Billie Piper and David Tennant 'to reunite' for special episode
Just days after it was revealed that Billie Piper was returning to Doctor Who, replacing Ncuti Gatwa as The Doctor, another legendary name has been tipped to make a comeback Doctor Who fans may be in for another huge surprise, as another fan favourite is rumoured to return to the series. Fans are still recovering from the news of Billie Piper's return - and now show legend David Tennant has now been tipped reunite with her onscreen for "one last hurrah". David, who played the role of the Doctor between from 2005 to 2010, is rumoured to be in talks to star in a one off special with co-star Billie. The actress previously appeared as Rose Tyler, companion to the doctor between 2005 and 2006. The pair recently reunited for the BBC special, Doctor Who: Unleashed, 20 Years in Wales where they reflected on their time together. In a sneak preview, Billie and David gushed over how much fun they had on set. Now, it looks like they could be having even more fun - by reuniting for a special anniversary episode. 'The BBC brought Doctor Who back in 2005 and there is talk about a possible one-off project to celebrate the 20th anniversary. David and Billie were a hugely popular partnership and he brought in the golden age of Doctor Who," a source told The Sun. "With the anniversary of the reboot this year there have been some ideas floated about with the idea of maybe bringing David and Billie back together for one last hurrah." It's not the first time David would be making a shock return. In November 2023, he was officially revealed as the Fourteenth Doctor before handing the role over to Ncuti Gatwa. Recently, Doctor Who fans were left stunned when it was announced Billie Piper had replaced Ncuti Gatwa as the Doctor, with the character regenerating during the finale of science-fiction series Doctor Who. Speaking about her return, Billie said: "It's no secret how much I love this show, and I have always said I would love to return to the Whoniverse as I have some of my best memories there, so to be given the opportunity to step back on that Tardis one more time was just something I couldn't refuse." In a statement released by the BBC, Ncuti Gatwa said: "You know when you get cast, at some point you are going to have to hand back that sonic screwdriver and it is all going to come to an end, but nothing quite prepares you for it. "This journey has been one that I will never forget, and a role that will be part of me forever. There are no words to describe what it feels like to be cast as the Doctor, nor are there words to explain what it feels like to be accepted into this iconic role that has existed for over 60 years and is truly loved by so many across the globe. "The fans are truly the final character and beating heart of this show, and I can't thank the Whoniverse, and the Whovians, enough for welcoming me in and making this such a touching experience. "I've loved every minute of it, but now is the time to hand over the keys to that beloved blue box and let someone else take control and enjoy it every bit as much as I have. I'll truly miss it, and forever be grateful to it, and everyone that has played a part in my journey as the Doctor."
Daily Mail
2 hours ago
- Daily Mail
Doctor Who's Billie Piper 'set to reunite with David Tennant' as she returns to show after Ncuti Gatwa's shock exit
Doctor Who star Billie Piper is reportedly set to reunite with her co-star David Tennant as she makes a surprise return to the show after Ncuti Gatwa 's shock exit. The 42-year-old actress will be replacing the high-profile actor after he bowed out of the BBC drama in last week's finale. The announcement put an end to speculation that he would not return as the Doctor. The BBC offered no explanation for this last minute change and merely blamed 'unforeseen circumstances'. Billie first starred as the companion to the ninth Doctor in 2005, playing Rose Tyler alongside Christopher Eccleston's Time Lord. From A-list scandals and red carpet mishaps to exclusive pictures and viral moments, subscribe to the DailyMail's new Showbiz newsletter to stay in the loop. She will now be the second woman to take on the role as the Time Lord after Jodie Whittaker portrayed the 13th doctor. It was confirmed last Saturday when he surprisingly regenerated into at the end of the series finale. A source told The Sun: 'David and Billie were a hugely popular partnership and he brought in the golden age of Doctor Who. 'With the anniversary of the reboot this year there have been some ideas floated about with the idea of maybe bringing David and Billie back together for one last hurrah.' A statement issued by the BBC said: 'Due to unforeseen circumstances, unfortunately Ncuti Gatwa is no longer able to participate as spokesperson during the Grand Final this weekend.' The actor appeared to blame the physical and mental demands of the show for his exit in a new video following fan speculation he was axed from the show. Ncuti explained: 'It's a role that demands a lot of you physically and emotionally and mentally. The actors playing the Doctor are only actors playing the Doctor. Unfortunately, we are mere mortals. 'This journey has been one that I will never forget, and a role that will be part of me forever. There are no words to describe what it feels like to be cast as the Doctor, nor are there words to explain what it feels like to be accepted into this iconic role that has existed for over 60 years and is truly loved by so many across the globe.' The BBC previously denied claims that Ncuti had been axed from his role just days ahead of the finale. 'Whilst we never comment on the future of the Doctor, any suggestion that Ncuti Gatwa has been "axed" is pure fiction,' a spokesperson for the BBC said. The finale also saw Jodie Whittaker, the 13th doctor, make a guest appearance as Ncuti's Doctor appeared to be travelling through alternate universes. Doctor Who was watched by around 2.5milion last Saturday - around 2million fewer people than the numbers watching when Jodie Whittaker, the previous Time Lord, was on the show until 2022. But this is still a tiny fraction of the sort of interest it used to attract. At its peak it was watched by around 13million on a Saturday night in the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s.
Scottish Sun
6 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
Iconic Doctor Who pair set to sensationally REUNITE for huge special after Ncuti Gatwa flop
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) DOCTOR Who's most popular pair could be coming back for a final turn in the Tardis. Insiders say Billie Piper's shock return to the show was understood to be teeing up a comeback for David Tennant as the Time Lord for a one-off special. Sign up for the Entertainment newsletter Sign up 3 David Tennant and Billie Piper will make a return to Doctor Who Credit: check copyright 3 The duo were iconic in the 2000s Credit: BBC 3 Billie teased as the 16th Doctor in the series finale Credit: PA A source said: 'The BBC brought Doctor Who back in 2005 and there is talk about a possible one-off project to celebrate the 20th anniversary. 'David and Billie were a hugely popular partnership and he brought in the golden age of Doctor Who. 'With the anniversary of the reboot this year there have been some ideas floated about with the idea of maybe bringing David and Billie back together for one last hurrah. 'When David's Doctor bi-generated in the 60th anniversary special, his 'half' of the Doctor went on to live a normal life in an alternative universe. 'While Ncuti Gatwa, who carried on the mantle, carried on as the Time Lord. It wouldn't be beyond the realms of imagination for him to return with Rose for a one-off special to celebrate not only their partnership but the anniversary of BBC bringing back Doctor Who.' David, 54, played the tenth version of the Time Lord for five years until 2010. In a twist, he then returned as the 14th Doctor for three specials before handing the role over to Ncuti. The Sun revealed last month that Gatwa, 31, was leaving the Tardis. It was confirmed last Saturday when he surprisingly regenerated into Billie, 42, at the end of the series finale. After the episode, Ncuti said: 'I've loved every minute of it, but now is the time to hand over the keys to that beloved box and let someone else take control and enjoy it every bit as much as I have. David Tennant tells Doctor Who haters to 'f--k off' in hilarious new The Assembly trailer as he gets a grilling "I'll truly miss it, and be grateful to it, Doctor Who's future is still undecided, with the BBC waiting to see if Disney+ — who pumped millions of pounds into the show — will renew their deal. Ratings for the sci-fi staple have plummeted since Tennant left, with overnight peak viewing figures dropping as low as 1.6million. Many fans of the show complained that it had gone 'woke'. Meanwhile, Whovians are waiting to see if Piper is really the 16th Doctor or is sidekick Rose again.
