Ncuti Gatwa roasts his low Doctor Who ratings on SNL UK finale
Self-deprecating joke lands as the BBC sci-fi series faces record-low audiences and an exit by Disney.
Ncuti Gatwa openly mocked the low viewership of his Doctor Who seasons during his hosting gig on the SNL UK season finale, turning the show’s ratings struggles into self-deprecating comedy just days after the latest season wrapped. The moment highlighted ongoing challenges for the BBC sci-fi series, which has seen steady audience erosion despite high-profile returns and a Disney-backed push.
Gatwa hosted the Saturday Night Live UK season finale on May 16, 2026. In his opening monologue he said, “I’ve had so many fantastic roles in my career. Millions of you watched me as Eric in Sex Education, and then about 12 of you watched me in Doctor Who. Maybe that’s why I kept crying.” He also poked fun at the season finale’s regeneration twist into Billie Piper, adding, “I don’t understand it either.”
Gatwa kept the tone light and called the role “magical,” noting it made his parents proud because it finally put “a doctor in the family.” The bit quickly spread online, with fans split between praising his honesty and seeing it as confirmation of deeper problems for the series.
Season 15 averaged 3.1 million viewers, down from 5 million under Whittaker
Official seven-day UK viewing figures show a clear downward trend. The first four episodes of Season 15 averaged 3.1 million viewers, down 800,000 from Gatwa’s debut season. That earlier run already sat well below Jodie Whittaker‘s final season, which opened at around 5 million. Some episodes posted overnight lows as low as 1.58 million, the weakest in the show’s modern history even after catch-up numbers are added.
David Tennant’s 2023 specials drew 7 million but failed to sustain momentum
David Tennant‘s 2023 60th anniversary specials drew strong audiences in the 7 million range and generated buzz with the bi-generation twist. Yet the momentum did not carry into Gatwa’s full seasons. Consolidated figures continued sliding, showing that nostalgia alone could not offset broader viewer fatigue.
Disney ended its co-financing deal in October 2025
Disney confirmed in October 2025 that it would not renew its deal after two seasons. The partnership had provided extra budget and global streaming reach, but executives cited concerns over costs and limited U.S. breakthrough. The BBC said it remains committed to the show and will produce the next installment independently.
Russell T Davies, Gatwa, and Jinkx Monsoon comments drew fan backlash
Russell T Davies pushed back against criticism of the show’s diversity, calling online complaints from “warriors” irrelevant and describing diversity as simply “an open door.”
Gatwa, responding to backlash over his casting as the first openly queer Black Doctor, told critics in a 2024 interview, “Don’t watch. Turn off the TV. Go and touch grass, please, for God’s sake.”
Jinkx Monsoon, who played the villain Maestro, suggested the show would gain new viewers through its representation. Monsoon stated that for every transphobic or bigoted fan lost, new fans would take their place, adding, “if we lose some of the transphobic ones, don’t let the door hit you on the way out.”
Davies later noted that hostile online voices on platforms like X are often mistaken for the broader fanbase.
AMC and Sony rumored for potential 2027 reboot
A leaked draft press release earlier this month fueled speculation that AMC and Sony Pictures Television could partner with the BBC for a full reboot, potentially launching three new seasons starting in 2027. No official confirmation has emerged. The BBC has greenlit a 2026 Christmas special written by Davies, but details on casting, filming, and any larger return remain scarce.
Gatwa’s playful SNL jab captured the awkward reality facing Doctor Who. Strong creative ambitions and star power have not translated into the broad audiences the series once commanded. With Disney out and traditional ratings at historic lows, the show sits at a crossroads. The upcoming Christmas special may offer a bridge, but whether a full revival or outright reboot follows will depend on how the BBC and potential new partners balance legacy with fresh appeal. For now, the TARDIS is still traveling, though the path ahead looks less certain than ever.
Article compiled and edited by Derek Gibbs (entertainment editor) and the Clownfish TV newsroom.
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Hat Tips:
Variety, “Ncuti Gatwa Takes Aim at ‘Doctor Who’ in ‘SNL U.K.’ Monologue” (May 16, 2026)
Deadline, “Ncuti Gatwa Roasts ‘Doctor Who’ Ratings In ‘SNL UK’ Opening Monologue” (May 17, 2026)
Deadline, “Doctor Who Ratings Drop, Fueling Uncertainty About Future” (May 23, 2025)
IGN, “Doctor Who Director Reflects on Disney’s Ditched Funding Deal” (January 19, 2026)
The Guardian, “Is Doctor Who Doomed?” (April 30, 2025)
Variety, Ncuti Gatwa “touch grass” comments on casting criticism (May 2024)
Slate / GamesRadar, Jinkx Monsoon comments on fanbase and representation (May 2024)
Variety, “Doctor Who Boss Russell T Davies Says Online Hate Can Be ‘Very Dangerously Assumed’ as the ‘Fan Voice’” (March 25, 2026)
Doctor Who TV, coverage of 2026 Christmas special and AMC streaming rights (May 2026)