New 'Doctor Who' star Ncuti Gatwa feels 'sad' for critics of show's diversity For Gatwa, casting a nonwhite person as the show's lead sends an important message: anyone, finally, can be The Doctor. Some Doctor Who fans have complained about the show growing too "woke" by featuring a transgender character in its 60th anniversary specials last year and through casting Gatwa, who is also the first openly queer man to play The Doctor.