It’s very obviously futile, but let’s use that as a space to share things that absolutely cannot be shared without spoiling things.
If you just want to discuss the episode, that thread’s already up and running.
YouTube: Regeneration, Omega and THAT RETURN
Ncuti: “It was always the plan to do this amount of seasons. Plus, it’s a role that demands a lot of you, physically and emotionally and mentally.”
I really hope that’s true. I would have loved to see Ncuti continue in the role, but like with Jodie Whitaker, it takes some of the sting out to know they got what they wanted from the role and moved on rather than staying on longer than intended or else felt they were being forced out.
I hope so, too - right now, I don’t see any reason not to take him at his word.
He mentions being tired and the rule being demanding a couple of times in “Unleashed”, too.
“Don’t you think he looks tired?”
Words that sunk both Harriet Jones’ and Christopher Ecclestone’s careers.
YouTube: Season 2:Epilogue
YouTube/The Confused Adipose: DOCTOR WHO S2’S MAD ORIGINAL ENDING?! [RESHOOTS EXPLAINED +PHOTO LEAK +SYNOPSIS?! MORE SUSAN!]
I’d never heard of this channel, and I’m very wary of strange YouTubers…but this was pretty good.
It lays out a compelling narrative for how this may have been an unplanned exit for Ncuti, with a very plausible-sounding explanation of “he wasn’t willing to wait around while they sort out when season 3 will happen.” I do hope the truth comes out in short order - I’d rather not put up with the equivalent of two decades of speculation over what went down with Christopher Eccleston.
I do think there’s a third option amongst the narratives, too - it may have been “always the plan” in the sense that Ncuti had a 2-season contract, but that he had planned on renewing until all the waiting started to interfere with him picking up new projects.
I’m leaning toward your last interpretation. Gatwa went on a talk show late last year and said he expected to shoot season 3 this year. Between then and now it must have become clear that that wasn’t going to happen. And I’m fairly sure the BBC wouldn’t sign him for more seasons than they had locked in on the production schedule.
