Is Ncuti Gatwa Queer? The Actor Played Gay Roles & Has Never Confirmed His Sexual Orientation

Ncuti Gatwa's sexual orientation has been discussed since he started portraying gay roles onscreen. His silence on whether he is queer or not has fueled speculations.

Television actor Ncuti Gatwa fueled gay speculations because of his acting roles, wherein he portrays characters who identify as queer. Moreover, he has not publicly spoken about his sexuality.

The actor has been making waves with his acting gigs on the small screen, and his roles have significantly impacted the public. Some fans have even approached him, telling him they love his characters.

In July 2022, fellow actor and co-star Neil Patrick Harris talked about Gatwa joining the sci-fi television series, "Doctor Who" which also stars David Tennant.

At the time, Gatwa was set to debut as the Doctor's new incarnation, and Harris commented on his character, "He’ll be the first gay Doctor, which is going to be super cool, a sexier Doctor."

Ncuti Gatwa's Role in 'Doctor Who' Had a Significant Impact

Not only did Ncuti Gatwa make history by becoming the first Black lead on "Doctor Who," but he also made an impact on one fan of the beloved series, Mara Harris.

In a May 2022 interview, Harris revealed that she started watching the series when she was three years old and became an avid fan, adding her parents also love the show.

"Having grown up and rewatched all of the episodes with the knowledge I have of myself now, I have realised the show was such an important part of my queer journey," Harris disclosed.

She began to realize that the affection she developed for the women on the show, such as Rose Tyler (Billie Piper), was not solely based on her admiration for them but developed crushes instead.

Harris, who identifies as non-binary, expressed her appreciation for the show's characters because it showed her how "flexible" gender is. Harris was even overjoyed to learn about Gatwa's addition to the show, including Yasmin Finney, and stated:

"A new era with a gay man running the show and a trans woman on the cast showcase how successful LGBTQ+ people can be, and I'm sure the storylines will show that as well."

Ncuti Gatwa's Gay Role in 'Sex Education'

Before his stint on "Doctor Who," Gatwa landed a gig on the hit Netflix series, "Sex Education." The show also stars Gillian Anderson, Emma Mackey, and Asa Butterfield.

He portrays the role of Eric Effiong, a Nigerian-Ghanaian, the gay best friend of Otis Milburn, an amateur sex therapist. The actor spoke candidly about what the part means for him.

In a February 2020 interview, the Rwandan-Scottish native expressed his character's significance on the show. He said it is a big deal to portray a Black gay character that is front-and-center in the storyline on a production that has a massive fanbase on Netflix, adding:

"It matters, I hope, that other little black boys round the world can be like — 'Oh, Eric is like this, and it's cool.' It's important that we allow different people to occupy these spaces."

In a June 2023 British Vogue interview, Gatwa talked more about his character on "Sex Education" and revealed he loves playing Effiong. "He can only be himself, and that's so fun to play."

The public has reacted positively to his role on the show. He divulged that when the series premiered, he lived in Tottenham, adding many young boys from the neighborhood came up to him to tell him they loved his character. The same goes for bodybuilders and ex-cons he used to train with at the gym.

Ncuti Gatwa on Sexuality & Rumored Relationship with a Woman

In a September 2021 interview, Ncuti Gatwa was asked what his character in "Sex Education" taught him about sexuality, and he answered:

"That it’s complex, that it’s very complex and beautiful and one must never be ashamed of it. I've learned so much from Eric in terms of living unapologetically."

Amid the curiosity surrounding his sexual orientation, Gatwa, who keeps his personal life private, reportedly dated Scottish actress, Jessica Hardwick, according to Elle Australia.

In February 2020, a big fan of Gatwa wrote on Twitter that she saw him at the BAFTA Scotland Awards and wanted to compliment him on his role in "Sex Education" but could not bring herself to do it.

The social media user revealed she relayed the message to Hardwick. "And she said I should have 'cause you are lovely. So...UR AMAZING!" Hardwick replied to the post with a string of heart emojis.