Ncuti Gatwa says he felt “warmth and love” Doctor Who fans despite having been subjected to homophobic and racist backlash since being cast as the title character.

Fans got their first look at the Sex education actor playing the fifteenth Time Lord in last year’s film anniversary special “The Giggle” before his first full episode aired on Christmas Day.

In a new interview, Ncuti reflected on fan response since taking on the iconic role and embrace the character’s “queer energy”. He said that despite the negative reaction “affecting him”, he has “many positives” to focus on.

Talk to Vanity Fair In an interview on Wednesday (November 13), Gatwa said, “I wouldn’t be the only black actor to take over a sci-fi franchise that would have received this kind of treatment. Unfortunately, these are voices that exist in sci-fi fandom, but they’re not the only ones.

“I just remember feeling a lot of warmth and love, being part of a big family of nerds. When we film Doctor Who, there are fans outside the studio or on location every time, whether it’s 4 a.m. or it’s minus 12 degrees,” recalls Gatwa.

“I think it’s beautiful, what the show means to themso I focus on that more than anything.

He continued: “I don’t want to invalidate what is very real, which is racism and homophobia. I don’t act like they don’t exist or affect me. They do it. But I try to pay no attention to that and look at the many, many positives that come from joining the Whoniverse.

Gatwa previously revealed that the subject of “race makes an appearance” in his role in Doctor Who. However, Jo Martin’s stint as a time-traveling fugitive doctor in 2020 marked the first time a black actor played the title character.

Gatwa will reprise her role in the series in the upcoming Christmas special, “Joy to the World,” which is set to star The Bridgerton ChroniclesThis is Nicola Coughlan. Gatwa has already filmed its second season of the series, which is set to air on BBC One in the UK and Disney+ next year.

The Doctor Who Christmas special episode ‘Joy to the World’ will be available on BBC One on Christmas Day.