WHO'S YOUR FRIEND?

As Ncuti Gatwa returns as Doctor Who, the cast and showrunner Russell T Davies tell ELLA WALKER what to expect... including a new companion

- ELLA WALKER

IF Christopher Eccleston taking up the Doctor Who mantle still seems pretty recent to you, the next statement is going to make you feel old: that was 20 years ago.

The Salford-born actor brought the Doctor back in 2005, becoming the ninth iteration of the famous Time Lord.

"It is amazing to look back," reflects series showrunner Russell T Davies, 61. "The most fantastic thing we've done, which I'm so proud of, is to put all the old episodes from 1963 onto iPlayer." "It's such a family and legacy, and imagine if you're eight years old, how much of that there is to explore," he adds. "It's basically managed to keep itself new since 1963.

It's amazing." Now Rwandan-Scottish actor Ncuti Gatwa, the 'new' and 15th Doctor, is about to star in his second series and the latest adventures kick off with The Robot Revolution.

When robots from outer space snatch nurse Belinda Chandra - played by BritishIndian actor Varada Sethu, 32 - the Doctor must launch an intergalactic pursuit to rescue his new friend and bring her home.

For Ncuti, 32, playing the Doctor "felt a little bit more soaked into the skin" this time around.

"There wasn't a manic new first day of school, new kid on the block energy," he explains. "I felt a little bit more settled." The Doctor, however, sounds slightly less composed than usual....

"There's an episode where you see a change in the Doctor," teases Ncuti.