Ncuti Gatwa and Millie Gibson Prove They Are The Perfect Pair In Whimsical and Joyful New Doctor Who Series
The Bogeyman, space babies, goblins, and The Beatles are waiting for you in the new Doctor Who series starring Ncuti Gatwa as The Doctor and his brave companion Ruby Sunday (Millie Gibson). The Doctor and Ruby travel through different eras in the iconic TARDIS to take on all kinds of enemy creatures and make incredible friends along the way.
As someone who has never seen one bit of Doctor Who in the past, I can confidently say that this series has me intrigued and feels like a warm hug all around! With the new series, the beginning episodes really set the groundwork for uncovering some details on who The Doctor and Ruby Sunday really are. The storylines are different, but it won’t deter older audiences as writer Russell T Davies still kept some callbacks to the original series like the design inside the TARDIS. Gatwa and Gibson are stunning as the adventurous duo whose chemistry leaps off the screen and into our hearts. It just makes you feel warm and fuzzy to watch them bounce off each other's vibes, especially in their musical scene with goblins!
Their character traits are so strong as Gatwa manages to be both charming and emotional, while Gibson showcases her witty sense of humor and vulnerability. There was not one moment where I wasn’t completely enamored by both of them. They both gush about how joyous the show was to film in interviews and it definitely gives off that impression by watching it. I also think because they’ve mastered such unique and satisfying traits that even the sci-fi talks don't bore you like when The Doctor explains certain gadgets to Gibson or his thought process to make sense out of what just happened. To be able to break that down in an exciting and interesting way is one of the ingredients of an amazing show.
One thing about the show that really stuck out is how the story is going to unfold in the rest of the series. As much as their wacky adventures will give us laughs and triumphant moments, it also seems that we’re going to learn a lot more about Ruby Sunday’s past and The Doctor’s origin — as they both were adopted and a “foundling” — which will add on to the continuing lore. Another highlight is, of course, the fashion. I love all the bright colors and different styles shown throughout. From Ruby’s Beehive hairdo to The Doctor’s v-cut colorful shirts, we can thank costume designer Pam Downe for her handy work. Each piece just suits their character's aura so perfectly that you might end up wishing you can buy certain pieces like I did.
With a campy, joyful tone coupled with Gatwa’s award-winning smile and Gibson’s humor, this Doctor Who installment is so incredibly entertaining to watch. It is a must-watch for both returning fans and anyone who’s looking to get into the Who-niverse on a fresh slate. I have high hopes for the rest of the series and can’t wait to see where it goes.
Doctor Who returns to Disney+ on May 10.