April 23rd 2024.
Ncuti Gatwa, the talented actor who has made history as the first Black male doctor in the iconic British sci-fi show, Doctor Who, recently shared his thoughts on the pressure for Black entertainers to exceed the expectations placed on mediocre white artists in order to receive recognition and praise. Spoiler alert: Gatwa is not a fan of this double standard.
In a recent interview with Attitude Magazine, Gatwa opened up about the backlash he has faced from some "fans" of Doctor Who simply because of his race and sexuality. He pushed back against the idea that he must conform to the concept of Black Excellence in order to be accepted and appreciated. "We're taught to believe that if we're not exceptional, we won't be loved. That was my mentality for a long time," Gatwa shared. "But now I'm realizing that I am allowed to be loved just for existing. I don't have to strive for perfection or live up to the term 'Black excellence'. What does that even mean?"
The talented star went on to point out the double standard in the entertainment industry, where white mediocrity is often celebrated while Black artists must be flawless to receive even a fraction of that recognition. "There's so much white mediocrity that gets celebrated, and Black people have to be absolutely flawless to get half of that. It's frustrating," Gatwa expressed. "I'm slowly unlearning that mentality and learning to love and accept myself just as I am."
Gatwa also touched on the issue of backlash towards diverse casting in traditionally white roles and the "meltdown" that often follows. "The hate is fascinating to me because they're putting so much energy into something so inconsequential. It says a lot about the person behind the hate. They need to find a hobby," he stated. "But it's also a sign that things are changing and people are uncomfortable with that. It's a slow shift, but it's happening."
In 2023, Gatwa spoke to the Hollywood Reporter about his experience on the show Sex Education and how it prepared him for the role of The Doctor. "Being on that show really opened my eyes to the inequalities in the industry," he shared. "I remember an executive producer telling me that white people wouldn't understand my character, Eric, and that really angered me. There's a whole show there for everyone to understand."
Gatwa also opened up about his intersecting identities in his interview with Attitude. "I've reached a point in my personal journey where I am comfortable with who I am and I don't have to change for anyone. It's a privilege to be able to exist and be accepted in my position, because there are many others who don't have that opportunity," he explained. "Just because I've been cast as Doctor Who, it doesn't mean that all issues of inequality are solved. But personally, I no longer feel conflicted about my intersecting identities. That may not be the case for others, but I'm learning not to care what others think."
In related news, Viola Davis and her husband are teaming up to launch a book publishing company that focuses on promoting diverse and inclusive stories. "It's important to tell stories that matter and represent all voices," Davis shared. Gatwa's powerful words and Viola Davis' important new venture serve as a reminder that change is happening, but there is still a long way to go in the fight for equality and representation in the entertainment industry.
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