Ncuti Gatwa, known for playing the Fifteenth Doctor, is set to reunite with his Doctor Who co-star Niamh-Marie Smith for a new queer rom-com short film titled Passing Through. The project marks Gatwa's first foray into producing, as he takes on the role of executive producer.
Plot and Production Details
The film centers on two strangers who meet on a train station platform in December, described as a "modern, queer take on a meet-cute." Niamh-Marie Smith, who played Sylvia Trench in the Doctor Who Christmas special Joy To The World, will write, direct, and star in the short. She will act opposite Shetland star Gemma Laurie, known for playing Rosemary Strachan and Wilma McCann.
Becky Rossmaur, who worked in the casting department on Doctor Who, served as casting director for the short. Gatwa expressed his enthusiasm: “I had the pleasure of working with Níamh on Doctor Who and was blown away by her talent and insight. So, I’m overjoyed to be joining this project as EP and work with such fresh new talent.” He added: “Passing Through is a beautiful script about human connection, grief and taking in the small pleasures of life. It’s really simple and beautifully layered at the same time and as soon as I read it my heart was warmed and I knew I wanted to be involved.”
Gatwa's Departure from Doctor Who
Gatwa ended his tenure as the Doctor at the end of his second season, with his character regenerating into Billie Piper. However, due to the cancellation of the Christmas special and the show being put out to tender, the storyline's future is uncertain. Speaking to The Telegraph about leaving, Gatwa said: "I was tired and burnt out at the end of [season 2]. It was exhausting. But it was a magical time, magical. There was never an opportunity to recoup the energy – it’s just go, go, go." He also shared that he "found it hard being away from home and family," especially after spending seven days a week filming for eight months, following five years of on-and-off filming in Cardiff for Sex Education. He added: “I had to wrestle with myself – I fell in love with that show. I’ll miss it, but I was ready to move on.”
