Ncuti Gatwa Shares His Thoughts on ‘Doctor Who’ Ratings in His SNL UK Opening Monologue
Ncuti Gatwa Jokes About Doctor Who Ratings During SNL UK Hosting
Ncuti Gatwa, the former star of Doctor Who, delivered a humorous critique of the beloved BBC sci-fi series while hosting Saturday Night Live UK.
In his opening monologue, Gatwa playfully referenced the show’s rating struggles and storylines. "I’ve had so many fantastic roles in my career. Millions of you watched me as Eric in Sex Education, and then about 12 of you watched me in Doctor Who. Maybe that’s why I kept crying," he quipped from the SNL stage in London.
He expressed a sense of pride in his role as the Doctor, noting, “Joking aside, it was genuinely a magical role. In fact, it was the first time my parents were truly proud of my career. When I told them I got the part, they said, ‘Finally, a doctor in the family.’ Even though I have since regenerated into Billie Piper … I don’t understand it either … I still love Doctor Who, and I got to meet so many crazy characters, sort of a bit like this place.”
Gatwa exited Doctor Who last year following a mixed reception of his portrayal, coinciding with Disney’s decision to end its co-production agreement with the BBC for the show.
While Gatwa hinted at the show’s challenges, Doctor Who experienced a significant decline in viewership. According to BARB, the UK’s official ratings agency, Season 15 averaged 3.8 million viewers, down by 1 million from Gatwa’s debut season, which was produced by Bad Wolf. Both seasons saw lower numbers compared to Jodie Whittaker’s final season in 2021, which attracted 5.2 million viewers.
As the first season of Saturday Night Live UK wraps up, Sky has much to reflect on, including a series that surpassed expectations, created viral moments, and garnered some of the network’s highest ratings this year. The show has been renewed for a second season, set to premiere in September.
SNL UK is produced by UTAS UK and Broadway Video for Sky and Now, with James Longman as the lead producer and Lorne Michaels as executive producer. Erin David and Helen Kruger Bratt also play key roles in production.
