Ncuti Gatwa’s Doctor Who Filming Conflicts Led to Missing Out on 2024’s Strong Oscar Contender with 96% Rotten Tomatoes Score

Ncuti Gatwa, widely recognized for his role as the Fifteenth Doctor in the iconic series Doctor Who, faced the unfortunate prospect of losing a significant opportunity due to scheduling conflicts. This conflict arose while he was dedicated to filming for Doctor Who, which has just aired a festive special episode titled “Joy to the World,”and is set for a new season premiering in 2025 on both BBC and Disney+.

Gatwa made his much-anticipated debut as the Time Lord during the show’s 60th anniversary specials, following his casting announcement in 2023. His talents extend beyond this acclaimed role; the Rwandan-Scottish actor has also appeared in two episodes of the acclaimed series Masters of the Air as Lt. Robert H. Daniels, and garnered attention for his portrayal of Eric Effiong across 32 episodes of the popular Netflix series Sex Education. Additionally, he showcased his versatility in Greta Gerwig’s record-breaking film, Barbie, which released in 2023, where he played a version of Ken. However, in 2024, he was nearly cast in another illustrious film that has stirred considerable critical acclaim.

Schedule Conflicts Impact Gatwa’s Career Choices

Initial Casting of Gatwa as Eloge

The film A Real Pain, penned, directed, and featuring Jesse Eisenberg, presents a heartfelt comedy-drama centered on two cousins taking a trip to Poland to honor their grandmother. Despite a limited theatrical run, the film garnered an impressive $9.3 million, surpassing its $3 million production budget, and received four Golden Globe nominations (with one win). As the Oscar nomination announcements draw near, A Real Pain is prominently positioned within the conversation concerning potential award recognition.

In a recent interview with Collider, Eisenberg disclosed that he initially cast Gatwa in the role of Eloge, a survivor of the Rwandan genocide who later converted to Judaism, a role ultimately portrayed by Kurt Egyiawan. Eisenberg emphasized the importance of authentically representing Eloge’s cultural background, explaining that recovering the character’s history required casting a Rwandan actor. Unfortunately, due to a revision in the filming schedule for Doctor Who, Gatwa was unable to continue. Eisenberg then sought the assistance of his friend Eloge, who served as the inspiration for the character, to facilitate the casting process. Eisenberg’s comments reveal his commitment to cultural integrity:

“With Kurt, I tried to cast a Rwandan actor. The only Rwandan actor we met with was this brilliant guy, Ncuti Gatwa. He’s the current Doctor Who, and he was going to do the movie, but then Doctor Who’s schedule changed and so we lost him. And so we were looking for a Rwandan actor, it was really hard to find a Rwandan actor. Kurt’s family is Cameroonian and, at that point, I turned it over to Eloge, the real Eloge, and said ‘Can you help me cast this so this feels respectful to your culture?’”

Significance of Eisenberg’s Casting Choices

Cultural Integrity Reflected in A Real Pain

Eloge, inspired by Eisenberg’s real-life friend, is a character deeply rooted in cultural narrative and history. Eisenberg’s thoughtful approach to casting—a conscious effort to avoid misrepresenting the character—underscores his respect for “the real Eloge” and his understanding of the nuances surrounding cultural representation in film. Through its exploration of history, complex family relationships, and generational trauma, A Real Pain prompts critical appreciation and reflection. Since its release, many critics have lauded the film for its authentic storytelling.

Eisenberg’s admiration for his friend is evident, as he describes Eloge as “a truly brilliant person.”He elaborated on Eloge’s journey in A Real Pain, as portrayed by Egyiawan (notable for roles in House of the Dragon and The Agency). Eisenberg articulated that Eloge’s decision to embrace Judaism relates deeply to his traumatic past, drawing parallels to other cultures that have endured serious hardships.

Source: Collider

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